The verse "Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered," from Job 4:1 is a simple statement of fact within the Book of Job. It indicates the beginning of Eliphaz's first speech in response to Job's lament. Let's break it down:
"Then": This word suggests a sequence of events. In the preceding chapters, Job has expressed his profound suffering and cursed the day he was born. The "then" indicates that Eliphaz's response comes after Job's initial outcry.
"Eliphaz the Temanite": This identifies the speaker. Eliphaz is one of Job's three friends who come to console him (or, as it turns out, to argue with him). "Temanite" tells us that Eliphaz is from Teman, a city known for its wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7; Obadiah 1:8), implying that Eliphaz is someone of some social or intellectual status.
"answered": This verb signifies that Eliphaz is responding to something that has been said. In this case, he is answering Job's words of despair.
In summary, the verse introduces Eliphaz, one of Job's friends, and marks the beginning of his contribution to the dialogue. It sets the stage for the debate that will unfold between Job and his friends about the nature of suffering, justice, and God's ways.
This verse is important because it marks the beginning of the philosophical debate that constitutes a significant portion of the Book of Job. Understanding who Eliphaz is and that he is answering Job's words is crucial to interpreting the rest of the book.
The verse "Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered," from Job 4:1 is a simple statement of fact within the Book of Job. It indicates the beginning of Eliphaz's first speech in response to Job's lament. Let's break it down:
"Then": This word suggests a sequence of events. In the preceding chapters, Job has expressed his profound suffering and cursed the day he was born. The "then" indicates that Eliphaz's response comes after Job's initial outcry.
"Eliphaz the Temanite": This identifies the speaker. Eliphaz is one of Job's three friends who come to console him (or, as it turns out, to argue with him). "Temanite" tells us that Eliphaz is from Teman, a city known for its wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7; Obadiah 1:8), implying that Eliphaz is someone of some social or intellectual status.
"answered": This verb signifies that Eliphaz is responding to something that has been said. In this case, he is answering Job's words of despair.
In summary, the verse introduces Eliphaz, one of Job's friends, and marks the beginning of his contribution to the dialogue. It sets the stage for the debate that will unfold between Job and his friends about the nature of suffering, justice, and God's ways.
This verse is important because it marks the beginning of the philosophical debate that constitutes a significant portion of the Book of Job. Understanding who Eliphaz is and that he is answering Job's words is crucial to interpreting the rest of the book.