Who was Eliphaz the Temanite?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Eliphaz the Temanite, first mentioned in Job 2:11, comes from the city of Teman in Edom, a place known for its wise men. He is possibly connected to Esau's lineage, suggesting that he or his son Teman might have founded the city Eliphaz came from. Eliphaz, representing worldly wisdom, speaks to Job about the righteousness of God, but erroneously attributes Job's suffering to his supposed sins, leading to God's rebuke in Job 42:7. Ultimately, after offering burnt offerings and Job praying on their behalf, God forgives Eliphaz and his friends.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Eliphaz the Temanite is first mentioned in Job 2:11 along with Bildad and Zophar, Job's other friends. Eliphaz is identified as "the Temanite" because he was from the city of Teman in Idumea (Edom), a city known as a home of sages and wise men (see Jeremiah 49:7). As Eliphaz speaks to Job, he does so as a "Temanite," that is, as a representative of the wisdom of the world.
• Esau's son Eliphaz had a son named Teman (Genesis 36:11), and we assume that either Eliphaz or Teman founded the city of Teman. Given the ancient setting of the book of Job, it is entirely possible that Job's friend and Esau's son are one and the same person.
• Eliphaz the Temanite is the first to speak to Job. Eliphaz claims to have had a terrifying dream of a spirit who reminded him of the righteousness of God (Job 4:12–21). Eliphaz says he has carefully studied the theology he presents (Job 5:27) and appeals to the ancient wisdom passed down through generations (Job 15:17–18).
• Eliphaz the Temanite was right in his teaching that God is holy and pure and all-seeing, but Eliphaz went wrong in his assumption that Job's suffering was the result of sin on Job's part. Eliphaz rebuked Job: "Is it for your fear of him that he reproves you / and enters into judgment with you? / Is not your evil abundant? / There is no end to your iniquities" (Job 22:4–5).
• What Eliphaz the Temanite said was not true, and God told him so in Job 42:7. God called him to repent, and Eliphaz did. Job 42:9 says, “So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them, and the Lord accepted Job's prayer.” Eliphaz and his friends offered burnt offerings for forgiveness and Job prayed on their behalf (Job 42:8–9), and as a result, God forgave Eliphaz.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Eliphaz is not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The story of Eliphaz the Temanite highlights the importance of getting our facts straight and showing compassion in our relationships. Eliphaz, despite his wisdom and good intentions, mistakenly attributed Job's suffering to sin, which led to God's rebuke. This teaches us that even well-meaning advice can be harmful if based on incorrect assumptions. Lack of truth and lack of mercy added to Job’s misery. God calls us to have truth and mercy just as He is the truth and is merciful to us (Psalm 57:3; 69:13; 85:11; 86:10–15). Despite Eliphaz's original misguided statements and lack of compassion, his eventual recognition of his fault and his seeking forgiveness teach us the value of humility and reconciliation in relationships. When we can recognize our own faults, we can seek to bring reconciliation to our relationships and move forward well. By ensuring our understanding is accurate and approaching others with compassion rather than undue judgment, we can better support our friends in their times of distress.

UNDERSTAND

• Eliphaz the Temanite was one of Job’s friends who were referred to as miserable comforters.
• Eliphaz the Temanite may have been related to Esau.
• God called Eliphaz the Temanite to repent of speaking what was not true about Job. Eliphaz did and was forgiven.

REFLECT

• What happens when we make incorrect assumptions about someone’s situation? When has doing this affected your relationship with another person?
• How do you usually respond when you realize you've been wrong in your advice or judgment towards a friend? How can you seek forgiveness and strive for reconciliation?
• In what ways can you balance offering wisdom and compassion when a friend is going through a difficult time?

ENGAGE

• It has been said that people often don’t care what you know unless they know that you care. Why is compassion or mercy so helpful in allowing people to hear the truth? What is the connection between mercy and truth?
• Community is vital for our thriving as people. A good community helps us grow and supports us through difficulty by telling us the truth in mercy. How can we build a community like that?
• "Sorry" is often the hardest word. How does the story of Eliphaz's eventual repentance and forgiveness inspire us to handle our own errors in relationships?