4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.
4 Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft, in places untouched by human feet; far from other people they dangle and sway.
4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.
4 Far from civilization, far from the traffic, they cut a shaft, and are lowered into it by ropes.
4 He breaks open a shaft away from people; In places forgotten by feet They hang far away from men; They swing to and fro.
4 They sink a mine shaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 28:4
Commentary on Job 28:1-11
(Read Job 28:1-11)
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. Go 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 much easier, and safer! Yet gold is sought for, but grace neglected. Will the hopes of precious things out of the earth, so men call them, though really they are paltry and perishing, be such a spur to industry, and shall not the certain prospect of truly precious things in heaven be much more so?