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Zophar

Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)· Public Domain

(sparrow), one of the three friends of Job. (Job 2:11; 11:1; 20:1; 42:9)

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Zophar

Zophar zo'-far (tsphar, meaning doubtful, supposed from root meaning "to leap"; Sophar): One of the three friends of Job who, hearing of his affliction, make an appointment together to visit and comfort him. He is from the tribe of Naamah, a tribe and place otherwise unknown, for as all the other friends and Job himself are from lands outside of Palestine, it is not likely that this place was identical with Naamah in the West of Judah (Jos 15:41). He speaks but twice (Job 11:1-20; 20:1-29); by his silence the Job 3:1-26rd time the writer seems to intimate that with Bildad's third speech (Job 25:1-6; see under BILDAD) the friends' arguments are exhausted. He is the most impetuous and dogmatic of the three (compare Job 11:2-3; 20:2-3); stung to passionate response by Job's presumption in maintaining that he is wronged and is seeking light from God. His words are in a key of intensity amounting to reckless exaggeration. He is the first to accuse Job directly of wickedness; averring indeed that his punishment is too good for him (Job 11:6); he rebukes Job's impious presumption in trying…

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Zophar

The third in order of Job's three friends, described in the LXX as ' king of the Mina-ans' (Job 2")- Probably the chief of a tribe on the borders of Idumsea.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Zophar

The Naamathite (some region in Arabia Deserta); one of Job's three friends (Job 2:11; Job 11:1; Job 20:1; Job 42:9).

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
  3. Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
  4. Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
  5. Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
  6. Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia

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