ELIPHAZ. — The most eloquent of Job’s friends (Job 2:11), a native of Teman, a region of the tribe derived from Esau’s grandson (Gen. 36:11), renowned for his wisdom (Jer. 49:7; Obad. 8). In the threefold dispute, the central part of the poem (v. GIOBBE), Eliphaz always speaks first; he proceeds by means of aphorisms, in the manner of the sages, and upholds the then-common belief: only the sinner suffers; therefore Job cannot be just; by affirming the contrary, he offends God; let him humble himself and implore mercy.
In the 12th discourse (Job 4–5), Eliphaz tactfully avoids directly incriminating Job, speaking in general terms. But Job proclaims his own righteousness. Then Eliphaz, in the 26th discourse, more harshly, accuses him—albeit indirectly—of impiety (Job 15). In the 30th (Job 22), as Job insists on his innocence, Eliphaz, with no regard, attributes to him the gravest faults. In the final intervention, God humbles Eliphaz and commands him to calm his anger through Job’s intercession (Job 42:7–9).