Albert Barnes Commentary Job 28:8

"The proud beasts have not trodden it, Nor hath the fierce lion passed thereby." — Job 28:8 (ASV)

The lion’s whelps - The lion that ventures into the most dangerous places in pursuit of prey has not dared to go where man has gone in pursuit of precious stones and gold. On the words used here to designate the lion, see Bochart, Hieroz, P. 1, Lib. iii, c. 1.