Job 22:1 Study Bible: Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

◄ Job 22:1 ►

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Then
The word "then" serves as a temporal marker, indicating a continuation of the dialogue within the narrative. It suggests a sequence of events, following Job's previous discourse. In the context of the Book of Job, this word underscores the ongoing nature of the debate between Job and his friends, highlighting the persistence of their attempts to understand and explain Job's suffering.

Eliphaz
Eliphaz is one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him. His name, possibly meaning "God is fine gold" or "God is my strength," reflects a character who believes in the righteousness and justice of God. Eliphaz is often seen as the most articulate and philosophical of Job's friends, drawing from his own experiences and traditional wisdom. His speeches are characterized by a reliance on the retributive justice principle, which posits that suffering is a direct result of sin.

the Temanite
The designation "the Temanite" identifies Eliphaz's geographical origin, linking him to Teman, a region associated with Edom. Teman was known for its wise men, as referenced in other biblical texts (e.g., Jeremiah 49:7). This association with wisdom and understanding adds weight to Eliphaz's arguments, as he is perceived as a man of knowledge and insight. However, his wisdom is ultimately limited by his inability to comprehend the true nature of Job's suffering.

replied
The act of replying indicates a response to Job's previous statements. In the Hebrew context, the word used for "replied" often conveys a formal or solemn answer, suggesting that Eliphaz's words are not casual but are intended to address Job's complaints and defend the traditional understanding of divine justice. This reply is part of a larger dialogue that explores profound theological and existential questions, reflecting the human struggle to understand suffering and divine providence.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Eliphaz the Temanite
Eliphaz is one of Job's three friends who come to comfort him during his suffering. He is from Teman, a region known for its wisdom, which is part of Edom. Eliphaz is often seen as the most articulate and philosophical of Job's friends.

2. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, known for his righteousness and suffering. Job's account is a profound exploration of faith, suffering, and divine justice.

3. Teman
A place in Edom, often associated with wisdom. It is mentioned in other parts of the Bible as a region known for its wise men.

4. Dialogue
The Book of Job is structured as a series of dialogues between Job and his friends, with this verse marking the beginning of Eliphaz's third speech.

5. Suffering and Divine Justice
The overarching theme of the Book of Job, exploring why the righteous suffer and how God's justice is manifested.

Teaching Points

The Limitations of Human Wisdom
Eliphaz represents human wisdom and reasoning, which can often fall short in understanding God's ways. We must be cautious not to rely solely on our own understanding when interpreting God's actions.

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, even when we do not understand the reasons behind it.

Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Despite the confusion and pain, Job's account encourages believers to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that His wisdom surpasses our own.

The Value of Perseverance
Job's perseverance is a testament to faithfulness amidst trials. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast, trusting in God's ultimate justice and mercy.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Eliphaz's background as a Temanite influence his perspective in his dialogue with Job?

2. In what ways does Eliphaz's reliance on human wisdom contrast with the biblical call to trust in God's wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6?

3. How can we ensure that our counsel to others is both truthful and compassionate, reflecting the balance that Eliphaz seems to miss?

4. What lessons can we learn from Job's perseverance that can be applied to our own experiences of suffering and trials?

5. How does the New Testament reference to Job in James 5:11 provide a broader understanding of his account and its implications for our faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Proverbs 3:5-6
This passage encourages trust in the Lord rather than relying on one's own understanding, which contrasts with Eliphaz's reliance on human wisdom.

James 5:11
This verse references Job's perseverance and the Lord's compassion, providing a New Testament perspective on Job's trials.

1 Corinthians 1:25
Highlights the wisdom of God as being greater than human wisdom, which is relevant to Eliphaz's speeches that rely heavily on human reasoning.

Sermons

Does Religion Enrich God	B. J. Gibbon.	Job 22:1-4
The Doctrine of Merit	Robert South, D. D.	Job 22:1-4
The Independence of God	Henry Melvill, B. D.	Job 22:1-4
The Third Speech of Eliphaz	Homilist	Job 22:1-4
Censorious and Uncharitable Reasoning	E. Johnson	Job 22:1-30

People

Eliphaz, Job, Ophir

Places

Ophir, Uz

Topics

Answereth, Eliphaz, Eli'phaz, Replied, Responded, Temanite, Te'manite

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Job 21:32-33

4290 valleys

Library

December 29 Morning
Understanding what the will of the Lord is.--EPH. 5:17. This is the will of God, even your sanctification.--Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.--This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.--We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Knowledge and Peace
'Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.'--JOB xxii. 21. In the sense in which the speaker meant them, these words are not true. They mean little more than 'It pays to be religious.' What kind of notion of acquaintance with God Eliphaz may have had, one scarcely knows, but at any rate, the whole meaning of the text on his lips is poor and selfish. The peace promised is evidently only outward tranquillity and freedom from trouble, and the good that is to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

What Life May be Made
'For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God. 27. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. 28. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. 29. When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, ... lifting up; and He shall save the humble person.'--JOB xxii. 26-29. These words are a fragment of one of the speeches of Job's friends, in which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Whether all Things are under Divine Providence
Whether All Things are under Divine Providence We proceed to the second article thus: 1. It seems that not all things are under divine providence. For nothing that is ordained happens contingently, and if all things were provided by God, nothing would happen contingently. There would then be no such thing as chance or fortune. But this is contrary to common opinion. 2. Again, every wise provider, so far as he is able, preserves those in his care from defect and from evil. But we see many evils in …
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether God is Everywhere by Essence, Presence and Power?
Objection 1: It seems that the mode of God's existence in all things is not properly described by way of essence, presence and power. For what is by essence in anything, is in it essentially. But God is not essentially in things; for He does not belong to the essence of anything. Therefore it ought not to be said that God is in things by essence, presence and power. Objection 2: Further, to be present in anything means not to be absent from it. Now this is the meaning of God being in things by His …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Everything is Subject to the Providence of God?
Objection 1: It seems that everything is not subject to divine providence. For nothing foreseen can happen by chance. If then everything was foreseen by God, nothing would happen by chance. And thus hazard and luck would disappear; which is against common opinion. Objection 2: Further, a wise provider excludes any defect or evil, as far as he can, from those over whom he has a care. But we see many evils existing. Either, then, God cannot hinder these, and thus is not omnipotent; or else He does …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

The Case of the Christian under the Hiding of God's Face.
1. The phrase scriptural.--2. It signifies the withdrawing the tokens of the divine favor.--3 chiefly as to spiritual considerations.--4. This may become the case of any Christian.--5. and will be found a very sorrowful one.--6. The following directions, therefore, are given to those who suppose it to be their own: To inquire whether it be indeed a case of spiritual distress, or whether a disconsolate frame may not proceed from indisposition of body,--7. or difficulties as to worldly circumstances.--8, …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Bands of Love; Or, Union to Christ. "I Drew them with Cords of a Man, with Bands of Love: and I was to them as they that Take Off the Yoke on their Jaws, and I Laid Meat unto Them. " --Hosea xi. 4.
BANDS OF LOVE; OR, UNION TO CHRIST. SYSTEMATIC theologians have usually regarded union to Christ under three aspects, natural, mystical and federal, and it may be that these three terms are comprehensive enough to embrace the whole subject, but as our aim is simplicity, let us be pardoned if we appear diffuse when we follow a less concise method. 1. The saints were from the beginning joined to Christ by bands of everlasting love. Before He took on Him their nature, or brought them into a conscious …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, to urge the performance …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Epistle xxxix. To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria.
To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria. Gregory to Eulogius, &c. As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country (Prov. xxv. 25). But what can be good news to me, so far as concerns the behoof of holy Church, but to hear of the health and safety of your to me most sweet Holiness, who, from your perception of the light of truth, both illuminate the same Church with the word of preaching, and mould it to a better way by the example of your manners? As often, too, as I recall in …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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