Enciclopedia Cattolica Vol. XI, 1953 Sacred Scripture Peoples and figures

Sophar

SOPHAR

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Also known as: Zophar the Naamathite, Zophar, Tzofar

SOPHAR (Heb. Ṣōphar). - One of the three friends of Job (v.); he is called the Naamathite, or of Naamah, in which some see a region inhabited by Arameans or by Idumeans, while others think of a tribe. S. speaks last, reaffirming the common notion that Job's calamity was nothing other than the effect of a divine punishment for sins committed.

Since the afflicted man had already rejected such a thesis by the affirmation of his innocence, S. insists on pointing out possible hidden faults and on counseling repentance (Job 11:1-20). In the second dispute, offended by Job's strong expressions against his supposed friends (ibid. 13:4 ff.; 16:2; 19:3), S. reproaches him for such boldness in judging and briefly sketches the figure and the fate of the wicked (ibid. 20:1-29). In the third dispute S. does not take part, but this could be the effect of an unfortunate transmission of the text, suspected here of disorder and lacunae.

Angelo Penna

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By Angelo Penna

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Translated from the Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. XI (1953), coll. 968–969.

More by Angelo Penna: Sosipater (Σωσίπατρος, volg. Sosipater) · Sosthenes (Σοσθένης, Sosthenes) · Spartans · Sisto, Sienese · Sanhedrin (Συνέδριον « Assembly »)

Cite this article

Chicago

Penna, Angelo. “Sophar (Ebr. ṢŌPhar).” In Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. XI, coll. 968–969. Città del Vaticano: Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico, 1953. https://azioneromana.com/article/sophar-ebr-sophar.

MLA

Penna, Angelo. “Sophar (Ebr. ṢŌPhar).” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. XI, Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico, 1953, coll. 968–969. Azione Romana, https://azioneromana.com/article/sophar-ebr-sophar.

BibTeX

@incollection{ec11_sophar_ebr_sophar,
  author    = {Penna, Angelo},
  title     = {Sophar (Ebr. ṢŌPhar)},
  booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica},
  volume    = {XI},
  pages     = {968--969},
  note      = {Cited by column},
  publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico},
  address   = {Città del Vaticano},
  year      = {1953},
  url       = {https://azioneromana.com/article/sophar-ebr-sophar}
}

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