Commentary on Job, part 14

The extant fragments now jump ahead to chapter 28. Here Stepanos provides an interpretation in terms of precious gemstones. 'Chrysolite' is a translation of ոսկեքար, a calque on χρυσόλιθος, which is identified with the topaz in the Liddell-Scott lexicon, but corrected (in the revised supplement) as 'a yellow precious stone, perhaps peridot'. The reference to a practice of liquefaction or melting of the stone here is obscure.

“the stone, and darkness, and the shadow of death. The trench is flooded by dust.” (28:3-4)
 The stone is a precious gem, and the darkness is a pearl, which exists in secret as though in darkness and shadows, because they are hidden deep inside the earth. And chrysolite is cut by the trench, and is collected and thrown in a dusty form on a stone and through an excessively hot fire so that it becomes like a flood.