איוב, פרק כ״ח, פסוק ד׳

The hidden processes deep within the earth and the dramatic shifts of nature serve as a powerful reflection of God's strength, the human pursuit of wealth, and the ultimate fate of mankind. The primary approach among commentators is to view these events as a description of a natural phenomenon. A mighty stream of water breaches its boundaries and completely changes its course [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג]. As the water flows away and retreats from its original location [מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם], the surrounding landscape is transformed. Areas that once thrived become forgotten and abandoned. People no longer visit these places because there is no water left to draw [מצודת דוד]. Others suggest these were always remote, hidden regions where humans never walked [רמב״ן, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The water itself either rises and departs from the area [מצודת ציון, רלב״ג, רמב״ן] or entirely dries up and disappears [אבן עזרא, תקות אנוש]. Consequently, the people who once relied on these springs are forced to abandon their homes and wander elsewhere [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ, תקות אנוש].

Beyond the surface, another layer of meaning connects these natural shifts to the human search for precious metals underground. When a river changes its path, it uncovers gold and treasures that were buried beneath the riverbed, previously hidden from those searching for them. Wealth that was once sunk in the deep is suddenly brought up to dry land [מלבי״ם]. Another perspective views this as a description of deliberate human effort, where people dig deep shafts far from civilization to extract valuable resources from abandoned places [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, these hidden geological processes, where powerful springs burst from the depths of the earth, show His absolute control over all of creation [רמב״ן].

Alongside the natural explanation, a Midrashic tradition reads these events as an historical reference to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The violent breaching of the stream hints at the rivers of fire and sulfur that God rained down upon the sinful cities [רש״י]. Amidst this destruction, a stranger was saved. This refers to Lot, whom God rescued from the ruins to establish new nations [אלשיך]. The people of Sodom became a forgotten memory because of their extreme cruelty. They violently erased the practice of hospitality from their land, famously cutting off or stretching the legs of travelers to force them to fit into their beds. Because of this wickedness, they lost all their wealth, were uprooted from their homes, and were scattered in every direction [רש״י, אלשיך].