Eliphaz

Descrilied as the first, and apparently the oldest and most important, friend of Job. lie is called 'the Temanite.' Teman was a son of Eliphaz, the eldest son of Esau (Gn Z&°- '°) ; and jc-n was a district of Iduma;a, proverbially known for its wisdom (Jer 49'). It IS mentioned in close connexion with Edom in Jer 49''". E. sjieaks at greater length than either Bildad or Zophar ; his speeches are recorded in Job 4. 5. 15. and 22. He is al.

so more moderate in tone than tlie otliers ; his first speech, especially, is gravely tender towards what he holds • Or Bcc. to others, ' My god is Melek' (the god-kingX ELIPHKLEHU EI.ISIIA 693 to be Job's errors. Many of his utterances, taken by tbemselves, contain important truth ; but his orthojox statements and maxims fail to cover the fact« of Job's case. In his later speeches E. speaks more directly and sharjily, but he never becomes violent or cruel.

For an outline of his arguments, ■ee Job, Book of. W. T. Davison.