Job 15:4
Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
Original Language Analysis
אַף
H637
אַף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
1 of 8
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
תָּפֵ֣ר
Yea thou castest off
H6565
תָּפֵ֣ר
Yea thou castest off
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
3 of 8
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
וְתִגְרַ֥ע
and restrainest
H1639
וְתִגְרַ֥ע
and restrainest
Strong's:
H1639
Word #:
5 of 8
to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern piety emphasized submission to divine will without questioning. Eliphaz represents conventional religion that fears any challenge to God as impious. However, biblical faith allows lament and protest (Psalms, Habakkuk). Eliphaz's accusation reflects shallow understanding of relationship with God—genuine intimacy permits honest expression of pain and confusion without abandoning reverence.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish between honest lament (which Job models) and impious rebellion (which Eliphaz wrongly accuses)?
- What does Eliphaz's accusation teach about legalistic religion that cannot tolerate authentic relationship with God?
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz accuses: 'Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.' The verb parar (פָּרַר, castest off) means to break, frustrate, or annul. Yir'ah (יִרְאָה, fear) denotes reverent awe of God. Gara (גָּרַע, restrainest) means to diminish or detract from. Siach (שִׂיחַ, prayer) refers to meditation or communion with God. Eliphaz accuses Job of undermining piety by questioning God. This charge is serious but false—Job maintains reverence while protesting. Eliphaz confuses honest lament with rebellion, unable to distinguish between faith that questions and unbelief that rejects.