Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
Eliphaz: Eliphaz is one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him during his time of suffering. His name means "God is fine gold" or "God is my strength." Eliphaz is often considered the most prominent and possibly the eldest of Job's friends, as he is the first to speak. His speeches are characterized by a mix of traditional wisdom and personal experience, reflecting the belief systems of the time.

The Temanite: Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, indicating his origin from Teman, a region associated with Edom. Teman was known for its wise men, as referenced in Jeremiah 49:7 and Obadiah 1:8-9. This association with wisdom adds weight to Eliphaz's words, as he is expected to speak with authority and insight. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, which places Eliphaz within a broader biblical narrative of familial and national relationships.

Replied: The use of "replied" indicates that Eliphaz is responding to Job's previous discourse. This is part of a larger dialogue structure in the Book of Job, where Job's friends take turns speaking, and Job responds. The dialogues are a key feature of the book, showcasing the struggle to understand suffering and divine justice. Eliphaz's reply is part of the second cycle of speeches, where the friends become increasingly critical of Job, reflecting the intensifying debate over the nature of righteousness and suffering.1. Eliphaz
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. He is from Teman, a region known for its wisdom. Eliphaz is often seen as the most articulate and philosophical of Job's friends.

2. Teman
A place in Edom, known for its wise men. It is often associated with wisdom and counsel in the Old Testament.

3. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, a man of great faith and patience who undergoes severe trials and suffering.

4. The Dialogue
This verse marks the beginning of Eliphaz's second speech in the cycle of dialogues between Job and his friends, where they attempt to explain Job's suffering.

5. The Setting
The events take place in the land of Uz, where Job lived. The dialogues occur after Job has lost his wealth, children, and health.The Limitations of Human Wisdom
Eliphaz represents human wisdom, which, while valuable, is limited and can be flawed. Believers should seek God's wisdom, which surpasses human understanding.

The Importance of Compassionate Counsel
While Eliphaz intends to help, his approach lacks empathy. When offering counsel, it is crucial to balance truth with compassion and understanding.

The Role of Suffering in Spiritual Growth
Job's account reminds us that suffering can be a tool for spiritual growth and deeper reliance on God, rather than a punishment for sin.

The Danger of Assumptions
Eliphaz assumes Job's suffering is due to sin. This teaches us to avoid making assumptions about others' circumstances without understanding the full picture.Verses 1, 2. - Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, Should a wise man utter vain knowledge! literally, knowledge of wind - knowledge, i.e. which is vain, idle, inflated, without solidity or substance. Job, as setting up to be "a wise man," should not have indulged in such empty and foolish speaking. It is observable that Eliphaz does not point out what part of Job's discourses he considers objectionable, but condemns the whole of them under this broad and general description, which even he could not have regarded as applicable to more than a portion of what Job had said. And fill his belly with the east wind? The east wind was regarded as the worst of winds. In Palestine it blew from the great Syrian and North Arabian desert, and was of the nature of a sirocco. (On its deleterious effects, see Genesis 41:6, 23; Jeremiah 18:17; Ezekiel 17:10; Ezekiel 19:12; Ezekiel 27:26; Hosea 13:15, etc.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then Eliphaz
אֱלִיפַ֥ז (’ĕ·lî·p̄az)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 464: Eliphaz -- 'God is fine gold', a son of Esau, also a friend of Job

the Temanite
הַֽתֵּימָנִ֗י (hat·tê·mā·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8489: Temanite -- inhabitant of Teman

replied:
וַ֭יַּעַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond


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OT Poetry: Job 15:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered (Jb)