Who is Eliphaz the Temanite in this passage and why is he speaking?

Eliphaz is one of Job’s three friends who came to visit him in his suffering. In this passage he answers Job’s earlier words. Eliphaz believes that suffering comes as a result of a person’s sin, so when he hears Job defend himself, he thinks Job’s speech is proud and empty. He speaks to correct Job, but his view of Job’s situation is wrong. Instead of comforting a hurting friend, he rebukes him sharply and assumes Job’s pain must come from hidden guilt.

What does Eliphaz mean by vain knowledge and filling the belly with the east wind?

When Eliphaz talks about “vain knowledge” and filling the belly with the east wind, he is saying Job’s words are empty and useless. The “east wind” was hot and drying, so it pictures words that do not refresh or help, but instead can harm. Eliphaz is accusing Job of speaking a lot but not bringing real wisdom or comfort. He thinks Job’s answers are not helping anyone, and that they blow away like dry wind instead of giving solid truth.

Why does Eliphaz say Job has cast off the fear of God and restrained prayer?

Eliphaz hears Job’s complaints and strong words and concludes that Job has stopped fearing God in a proper way and has pulled back from prayer. To Eliphaz, talking about God the way Job does can only mean a loss of reverence. He believes a godly person will stay quiet, accept trouble, and keep praying. Because Job has spoken so boldly, Eliphaz assumes his heart has turned away, and he treats Job’s speech as proof that he has pushed aside both fear of God and true prayer.

What does Eliphaz mean by saying Job’s own mouth condemns him?

When Eliphaz says, “Thine own mouth condemneth thee,” he means that Job’s words are enough to show he is in the wrong. Eliphaz thinks that the way Job talks about his suffering, and even about God, reveals hidden sin and a proud heart. Instead of looking at Job’s life with patience and kindness, he takes Job’s raw, painful words as evidence of guilt. In his view, Job does not need an accuser, because his speech itself is the witness against him.

Why does Eliphaz appeal to age and tradition in his argument with Job?

Eliphaz points to “the grayheaded and very aged men” and asks if Job is the first man ever born. By this he claims that older people and long–held views are on his side. He sees himself as standing with tested wisdom and thinks Job is acting like someone who knows more than everyone else. Eliphaz uses age and tradition as proof that his view of suffering and God’s justice is right, and that Job should submit instead of arguing back.

What does this passage say about human sinfulness and being clean before God?

Eliphaz asks, “What is man, that he should be clean?” and says that even the heavens are not clean in God’s sight. He is stressing how holy God is and how deeply people are marked by sin. The picture of a person who “drinketh iniquity like water” shows how natural sin is to us, like taking a drink when thirsty. While his view of Job is wrong, his statements remind us that no one stands righteous on their own, and all people fall short before a pure God.

Why does Eliphaz accuse Job of turning his spirit against God?

Eliphaz hears the passion and pain in Job’s speech and takes it as rebellion. When he says Job has turned his spirit against God and lets such words come from his mouth, he means Job’s heart is carrying him away and his eyes are proud. Eliphaz thinks that questioning God’s ways, or speaking so freely about suffering, is equal to fighting against God. He does not see that a suffering person can cry out honestly and still cling to God at the same time.

What was happening when Eliphaz spoke these harsh words to Job?

Job had lost his children, wealth, and health, and was sitting in deep misery. He had been trying to make sense of his pain and had spoken strongly about his confusion. Eliphaz, instead of comforting him, answers by defending his own view of God’s justice. He believes trouble proves guilt, so he uses Job’s words against him. In that moment, Job needed kindness and patient listening, but Eliphaz mainly brings accusation and lectures him about sin.

How can this passage guide the way we speak to suffering people today?

This passage warns us how easy it is to talk wrongly to those who hurt. Eliphaz uses true words about God’s holiness and human sin, but he misapplies them and misreads Job’s heart. When we speak with people in pain, we should be slow to judge and quick to listen. Instead of assuming their trouble is a direct punishment, we can show compassion, pray with them, and admit we do not know all of God’s reasons. Truth should come together with gentleness and care.

Job.15.1

Job 15:1

KJV

Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,

Eliphaz Says Job Presumes Much

Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,

Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?

Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?

Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.

For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.

Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.

Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills?

Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?

With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.

Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?

Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,

That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?

What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.

How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.