Job 15:1
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
Original Language Analysis
וַ֭יַּעַן
Then answered
H6030
וַ֭יַּעַן
Then answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 4
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֱלִיפַ֥ז
Eliphaz
H464
אֱלִיפַ֥ז
Eliphaz
Strong's:
H464
Word #:
2 of 4
eliphaz, the name of one of job's friends, and of a son of esau
Cross References
Job 2:11Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.Job 42:7And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.Job 22:1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,Job 42:9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.Job 4:1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
Historical Context
Eliphaz of Teman represented the wisdom tradition of Edom, a region southeast of the Dead Sea renowned for sages (Obadiah 1:8). The second dialogue cycle (chapters 15-21) occurs after Job's initial defenses have failed to satisfy his friends, intensifying the theological conflict between traditional retribution theology and lived experience.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you seen theological debate shift from gentle inquiry to harsh accusation?
- How does formal religious rhetoric sometimes mask a failure to truly listen?
- What does Eliphaz's hardening stance reveal about the dangers of systematic theology divorced from compassion?
Analysis & Commentary
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said—This marks the beginning of Eliphaz's second speech (chapters 15-21 contain the second cycle of dialogues). The Hebrew vaya'an (וַיַּעַן) implies a formal response, showing this is structured debate, not casual conversation. Eliphaz from Teman (a region in Edom famed for wisdom, Jeremiah 49:7) now abandons his earlier gentleness (4:2). His tone shifts dramatically from sympathetic counselor to harsh prosecutor.
The narrative structure—'Then answered...and said'—appears repeatedly in Job, creating a courtroom atmosphere where Job stands accused before his 'friends' who function as prosecution witnesses. This formulaic introduction signals escalating conflict: Eliphaz will move from questioning Job's wisdom to attacking his character directly.