Job 28:5
Job 28:5 in Multiple Translations
Food may come from the earth, but from below it is transformed as by fire.
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread; And underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.
As for the earth, bread comes out of it; but under its face it is turned up as if by fire.
Bread comes from the earth, but underneath it looks as if it has been turned upside-down by fire.
Out of the same earth commeth bread, and vnder it, as it were fire is turned vp.
The earth! from it cometh forth bread, And its under-part is turned like fire.
As for the earth, out of it comes bread. Underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
The land, out of which bread grew in its place, hath been overturned with fire.
Food grows on the surface of the ground, but down under the ground, where there is no food, the miners make fires to break apart the rocks.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 28:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 28:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶ֗רֶץ
מִמֶּ֥/נָּה
יֵֽצֵא
לָ֑חֶם
וְ֝/תַחְתֶּ֗י/הָ
נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ
כְּמוֹ
אֵֽשׁ
אֶ֗רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs
מִמֶּ֥/נָּה
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
יֵֽצֵא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לָ֑חֶם
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs
וְ֝/תַחְתֶּ֗י/הָ
tachath
H8478
underneath
Conj | Prep | Suff
נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ
hâphak
H2015
to overturn
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
כְּמוֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
like
Prep
אֵֽשׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Job 28:5
אֶ֗רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
מִמֶּ֥/נָּה
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
יֵֽצֵא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
לָ֑חֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
וְ֝/תַחְתֶּ֗י/הָ
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Conj | Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ
hâphak
H2015
"to overturn"
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
To overturn means to turn something around or change it completely, often implying a reversal or transformation. This can be seen in the Bible when something is turned upside down or changed radically.
Definition: 1) to turn, overthrow, overturn 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to overturn, overthrow 1a2) to turn, turn about, turn over, turn around 1a3) to change, transform 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, turn, turn back 1b2) to change oneself 1b3) to be perverse 1b4) to be turned, be turned over, be changed, be turned against 1b5) to be reversed 1b6) to be overturned, be overthrown 1b7) to be upturned 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to transform oneself 1c2) to turn this way and that, turn every way 1d) (Hophal) to turn on someone
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] become, change, come, be converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse, retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary, every way). See also: Genesis 3:24; Job 30:15; Psalms 30:12.
כְּמוֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
"like"
Prep
This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.
Definition: adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were
Usage: Occurs in 126 OT verses. KJV: according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Job 40:17; Psalms 29:6.
אֵֽשׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
Study Notes — Job 28:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 28:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 28:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 28:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 28:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 28:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 28:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 28:5
- Cambridge Bible on Job 28:5
- Barnes' Notes on Job 28:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 28:5
- Sermons on Job 28:5
Context — Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
3Man puts an end to the darkness; he probes the farthest recesses for ore in deepest darkness.
4Far from human habitation he cuts a shaft in places forgotten by the foot of man. Far from men he dangles and sways.
5Food may come from the earth, but from below it is transformed as by fire.
6Its rocks are the source of sapphires, containing flecks of gold. 7No bird of prey knows that path; no falcon’s eye has seen it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 28:25–29 | When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border. For his God instructs and teaches him properly. Surely caraway is not threshed with a sledge, and the wheel of a cart is not rolled over the cumin. But caraway is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod. Grain for bread must be ground, but it is not endlessly threshed. Though the wheels of the cart roll over it, the horses do not crush it. This also comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. |
| 2 | Psalms 104:14–15 | He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart. |
| 3 | Genesis 1:11–12 | Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 28:13–14 | You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. |
| 5 | Genesis 1:29 | Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. |
Job 28:5 Summary
This verse is saying that even though the food we eat comes from the earth, it's God who makes it happen and transforms it into something we can use. It's like when we plant a seed in the ground and it grows into a beautiful, nutritious plant - God is the one who makes that happen, as seen in Psalm 104:14. He provides for our needs and refines the resources of the earth to make them useful for us, and we can trust Him to take care of us, just like Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:26.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that food comes from the earth but is transformed as by fire?
This phrase suggests that while our physical needs are met by the earth's provision, it is God who transforms and refines these resources for our benefit, much like the refining process described in Malachi 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:7.
Is this verse talking about farming or mining?
While the surrounding verses discuss mining, this specific verse seems to be highlighting the broader concept of how God provides for our needs, whether through farming or other means, as seen in Psalm 104:14-15 and Matthew 6:26.
What does the phrase 'from below' refer to?
In this context, 'from below' likely refers to the earth's crust and the processes that occur beneath our feet, such as the formation of minerals and the growth of crops, which are ultimately under God's control as described in Psalm 95:4 and Jeremiah 5:22.
How does this verse relate to our daily lives?
This verse reminds us that our daily bread, whether literal or figurative, is a gift from God, and that He is actively involved in providing for our needs, as seen in Matthew 6:11 and Philippians 4:19.
Reflection Questions
- How do I acknowledge and thank God for the 'food' He provides in my life, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual?
- In what ways can I see God's transformative power at work in my life, refining and purifying me like fire?
- What are some ways I can trust God to provide for my needs, even when I don't see how He is working 'from below'?
- How can I apply the principle of God's provision and transformation to a specific area of my life where I am struggling?
Gill's Exposition on Job 28:5
[As for] the earth, out of it cometh bread,.... That is, bread corn, or corn of which bread is made particularly wheat; which falling, or being cast into the earth, rises up and brings forth fruit,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 28:5
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 28:5
Out of it; out of the upper parts of the earth. Bread; bread-corn, or other food for man’ s use. Under it; either, 1. Under the same earth, which either at the same time yields bread out of its upper, and fire out of its lower parts; or at several times; that earth which once was fruitful becoming, by the disposition of Divine Providence, barren and sulphureous, &c. Or, 2. Under other parts of the earth. Is turned up, i.e. is digged out and fetched up. As it were fire; either gold and precious stones, which glitter and sparkle like fire; or coals, and brimstone, and other materials of fire.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 28:5
Job 28:5 [As for] the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.Ver. 5. As for the earth, out of it cometh bread] That is, grain. Alma Tellus, plentifully yieldeth those precious fruits of hers, as they are called, James 5:11, Fertilis et ferax (Vatab.). These fruits lie hidden in the seed for a season; and so doth likewise fire in the flint (whereof some understand the following words), yet are they brought at length into the light. And under it is turned up as it were fire] That is, materials of fire, as coals of, &c., or brimstone, which hath fire in it, and doth sometimes take fire in the mines; or gold, which is to be tried in the furnace, and various sparkling stones created from a sulphureous matter, such as is that which Pliny and Isidore call pyrites persicus, and tell us, that if it be held hard in a man’ s hand it burneth. As also that which Hiarchas in Philostratus calleth pantarbe which burneth with a kind of sweet brightness, saith that author, that dazzleth the eyes of the beholder, and hath a strange attractive virtue. Thus it sometimes happens that the upper part of a ground is fruitful, and brings forth grain and grass, and underneath are precious stones and metals. But commonly where there is gold below there is the barrenest soil above. God and nature thereby teaching us, that where the love of money (that root of all evil) groweth there is no good to be found. A harvest may as well be looked for in a hedge as true grace in a gold thirsty heart.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 28:5
(5) As for the earth . . .—While the ploughman and the reaper till and gather the fruits of the earth on its surface, the miner far below maintains perpetual fires, as also does the volcanic mountain, with its fields and vineyards luxuriant and fertile on its sides.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 28:5
Verse 5. The earth, out of it cometh bread] Or the earth, ממנה mimmennah, from itself, by its own vegetative power, it sends out bread, or the corn of which bread is made. And under it is turned up as it were fire.] It seems as if this referred to some combustible fossil, similar to our stone coal, which was dug up out of the earth in some places of Arabia. The Chaldee gives a translation, conformable to a very ancient opinion, which supposed the centre of the earth to be a vast fire, and the place called hell. "The earth from which food proceeds, and under which is gehenna, whose cold snow is converted into the likeness of fire; and the garden of Eden, which is the place whose stones are sapphires," c. The Vulgate has, "The land from which bread has been produced has been destroyed by fire." If this be the meaning of the original, there is probably an allusion to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the seventh and eighth verses Job 28:7-8 may be supposed to refer to that catastrophe, there being no place left tangible or visible where those cities once stood: neither fowl nor beast could discern a path there, the whole land being covered with the lake Asphaltites.
Cambridge Bible on Job 28:5
5. The same idea of the distance from the life of men and the unnaturalness of the miner’s work is pursued in the fine contrast between the peaceful, cultivated and fruitful face of the earth above and the destructive operations carried on in her bowels, which leave a confusion and devastation like that caused by fire. The second clause must be rendered, And underneath it is overturned as if by fire. The reference is hardly to actual blasting; rather to the overthrow and confused ruin that follows the miner’s operations.
Barnes' Notes on Job 28:5
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread - That is, it produces food, or the materials for bread.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 28:5
5. Turned up as it were fire — Same also in the Septuagint. Pliny has a like thought. Ungrateful man repays the debt he owes the earth for bread (Psalms 104:14) by digging out her bowels.
Sermons on Job 28:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Anti-Booze Efforts by Billy Sunday | Billy Sunday passionately preaches against alcohol, expressing his determination to combat the saloon culture that he believes leads to the destruction of lives and families. He em |
|
Our Awesome God - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the profound wisdom and knowledge of God as revealed in Romans 11, emphasizing the intricate design and balance in creation that sustains life on Earth. It |
|
Rahab - Example of Faith by Billy Strachan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various aspects of faith and action in the context of biblical stories. He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing and believing the me |
|
Man's Misconceptions of the Works of God. by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes that God's governance and judgment over nations are evident through natural phenomena, which serve as His voice and means of communication with humanity. |
|
Whats Wrong With the Gospel - Part 3 by Keith Green | In the video, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prioritizing plants and nature. He mentions that living in mansions and exceeding regular limits is not allowed, and encoura |
|
Genesis #02 Ch. 1:2 Creation or Re-Creation by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, Chuck Mitzvah discusses Genesis chapter 1, verses 2 and 3. He mentions that in the previous study, they covered various topics including biblical background and Ein |
|
The Basis of Faith Is Trust by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power of God's word to transform and reward individuals. He shares a personal anecdote about his old hockey coach being amazed by his tra |