Eliphaz

Eliphaz, 1

Eli´phaz (God the strong), a son of Esau and Adah (Gen 36:10).

Eliphaz, 2

Eli´phaz, one of the three friends who came to condole with Job in his affliction, and who took part in that remarkable discussion which occupies the book of Job. He was of Teman in Idumaea; and as Eliphaz the son of Esau had a son called Teman, from whom the place took its name, there is reason to conclude that this Eliphaz was a descendant of the former Eliphaz. Some, indeed, even go so far as to suppose that the Eliphaz of Job was no other than the son of Esau. This view is of course confined to those who refer the age of Job to the time of the patriarchs.

Eliphaz is the first of the friends to take up the debate, in reply to Job’s passionate complaints. The scope of his argument and the character of his oratory are described under another head [JOB, BOOK OF]. He appears to have been the oldest of the speakers, from which circumstance, or from natural disposition, his language is more mild and sedate than that of any of the other speakers. He begins his orations with delicacy, and conducts his part of the argument with considerable address. His share in the controversy occupies Job 4-5; Job 15; Job 22.

A native of Teman, and friend of Job, Job 2:11 . Compare Gen 36:10 . He seems to have been older than Bildad and Zophar, and was the first address Job, Job 4:1-5:27 15:1-35 22:1-30.\par

El’iphaz. (God is his strength).

1. The son of Esau and Adah, and the father of Teman. Gen 36:4; 1Ch 1:35-36.

2. The chief of the "three friends" of Job. He is called "the Temanite;" hence, it is naturally inferred that, he was a descendant of Teman. On him, falls the main burden of the argument, that God’s retribution in this world is perfect and certain, and that, consequently, suffering must be a proof of previous sin. Job_4; Job_5; Job_15; Job_22. The great truth brought out by him is the unapproachable majesty and purity of God. Job 4:12-21; Job 15:12-16. See Job; Job, The Book of.

("God for strength".)

1. Esau’s son by Adah; Teman’s father (Gen 36:4; 1Ch 1:35-36).

2. First of Job’s three friends, the "Temanite," sprung from the former Eliphaz Teman answers to Edom (Jer 49:20), part of Arabia Petraea. Calmer and less vehement against Job than Bildad and Zophar, but condemned at the end for the same error, in spite. of the facts of daily life, that God’s retributions here are complete, and that severe trial proved Job’s past piety to be but hypocrisy. God’s unapproachable majesty and purity are well get forth by him (Job 4; Job 5:14-16).

(Hebrew Eliphaz’, אלִֵיפִּז, God is his strength; Sept. Ε᾿λιφάξ, but in Genesis Ε᾿λιφάς, Vulg. Eliphaz), the name of two men.

1. The leading one of the "three friends" who came to condole with Job in his affliction (Job 4:1), and who took part in that remarkable discussion which occupies the book of Job. B.C. cir. 2200. He is called "the Temanite;" hence it is naturally inferred that he was of the region substantially known as Teman (q.v.), in Idumaea; and as Eliphaz, the son of Esau, had a son called Teman, from whom the place took its; name, many have concluded that this Eliphaz was a descendant of the other Eliphaz. Some, indeed, even go so far as to suppose that the Eliphaz of Job was no other than the son of Esau. This view is of course confined to those who refer the age of Job to the time of these patriarchs. But it is doubtful whether even this gives a date sufficiently early. SEE JOB.

Eliphaz is the first of the friends to take up the debate, in reply to Job’s passionate complaints. He appears to have been the oldest of the speakers, from which circumstance, or from natural disposition, his language is more mild and sedate than that of the others (see Eichler, De visione E’iphazi [4:12-31], Lpz. 1781). He begins his orations with delicacy, and conducts his part of the controversy with considerable address (chapter 4, 5, 15, 22). On him falls the main burden of the argument, that God’s retribution in this world is perfect and certain, and that consequently suffering must be a proof of previous sin. His words are distinguished from those of Bildad and Zophar by greater calmness and elaboration, and, in the first instance, by greater gentleness towards Job, although he ventures afterwards, apparently from conjecture, to impute to him special sins. The great truth brought out by him is the unapproachable majesty and purity of God (4:12- 21; 15:12-16). But still, with the other two friends, he is condemned for having, in defense of God’s providence, spoken of him "the thing that was not right," i.e., by refusing to recognize the facts of human life, and by contenting himself with an imperfect retribution as worthy to set forth the righteousness of God. On sacrifice and the intercession of Job all three are pardoned. SEE JOB, BOOK OF.

2. The son of Esau by one of his first wives, Adah, and father of several Edomitish tribes (Gen 36:4; Gen 36:10-11; Gen 36:16; 1Ch 1:35-36). B.C. post 1963.

[Eli’phaz]

1. Son of Esau and Adah, and father of Teman, etc. Gen 36:4-16; 1Ch 1:35-36.

2. Chief of Job’s three friends, a ’Temanite,’ or descendant of Teman. He and his companions did not understand God, nor His dealings in discipline with a righteous man. His arguments were founded on experience, as Bildad’s were on tradition. They therefore condemned Job as an evil doer, considering that this was proved by what God had brought upon him. God’s wrath was kindled against them, for they had not spoken of Him correctly. They were directed to take seven bullocks and seven rams and offer them as a burnt offering: Job, His servant, should pray for them, and God would accept him. Job 2:11; Job 4:1; Job 15:1; Job 22:1; Job 42:7; Job 42:9.

ELIPHAZ.—1. Eliphaz appears in the Edomite genealogy of Gen 36:1-43 (and hence 1Ch 1:35 f.) as son of Esau by Adah (1Ch 1:4; 1Ch 1:10), and father of Amalek by his Horite concubine Timnah (1Ch 1:12; 1Ch 1:22). 2. See Job [Book of].

el´i-faz, ē̇-lı̄´faz (אליפז, ’ĕlı̄phaz, “God is fine gold” (?)):

(1) Son of Esau by Adah, and father of Teman, Kenaz and Amalek (Gen 36:4, Gen 36:10; 1Ch 1:35 f). See also EDOU.

(2) See next article.