SEV Biblia, Chapter 28:4
Sale el río junto al morador, y las aguas sin pie, más altas que el hombre, se fueron.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Job 28:4
Verse 4. The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant ] This passage is very difficult. Some think it refers to mining; others to navigation. If it refer to the former, it may be intended to point out the waters that spring up when the miners have sunk down to a considerable depth, so that the mine is drowned, and they are obliged to give it up. Previously to the invention of the steam-engine this was generally the case: hence ancient mines may be reopened and worked to great advantage, because we have the means now to take off the water which the ancient workers had not. When, therefore, floods break out in those shafts, they are abandoned; and thus they are, Forgotten of the foot ] No man treads there any more. The waters increase wld dallu, they are elevated, they rise up to a level with the spring, or till they meet with some fissure by which they can escape; and thence w[n wnam meenosh nau, they are moved or carried away from men; the stream is lost in the bowels of the earth. Mr. Peters thinks that both this verse, and chap. ix. 26, refer to navigation, then in a state of infancy; for the sea is not so much as mentioned; but ljn nachal, a torrent or flood, some river or arm of the sea perhaps of a few leagues over, which, dividing the several nations, must interrupt their hospitality and commerce with each other, unless by the help of navigation. According to this opinion the verse may be translated and paraphrased thus: The flood-rivers and arms of the sea-separateth from the stranger, µ[m rg meim gar, divides different nations and peoples: they are forgotten of the foot-they cannot walk over these waters, they must embark in vessels; then they dwindle away, wld dallu, from the size of men, that is, in proportion to their departure from the land they lessen on the sight; w[n nau, they are tossed up and down, namely, by the action of the waves. This receives some countenance from the psalmist's fine description, Psa. cvii. 26, 27, of a ship in a rough sea: They mount up to heaven; they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, w[wny yanuu, (the same word as above,) they stagger like a drunken man. Mr. Good's translation is singular: - He breaketh up the veins from the matrice, Which, though thought nothing of under the foot, Are drawn forth, are brandished among mankind.
This learned man thinks that it applies solely to mining, of which I cannot doubt; and therefore I adopt the first interpretation: but as to agreement among translators, it will be sought in vain. I shall just add Coverdale: With the ryver of water parteth he a sunder the straunge people, that knoweth no good neighbourheade; such as are rude, unmannerly, and boysterous.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - Job maintained that the dispensations of Providence were regulated by the highest wisdom. To confirm this, he showed of what a great deal of knowledge and wealth men may make themselves masters. The caverns of the earth may be discovered, but not the counsels of Heaven. God to the miners, thou sluggard in religion, consider their ways, and be wise Let their courage and diligence in seeking the wealth that perishes shame us out of slothfulness and faint-heartedness in labouring for the true riches. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! How muc easier, and safer! Yet gold is sought for, but grace neglected. Wil the hopes of precious things out of the earth, so men call them, thoug really they are paltry and perishing, be such a spur to industry, an shall not the certain prospect of truly precious things in heaven be much more so?
Original Hebrew
פרץ 6555 נחל 5158 מעם 5973 גר 1481 הנשׁכחים 7911 מני 4480 רגל 7272 דלו 1809 מאנושׁ 582 נעו׃ 5128
