Job 22:1

KJV

¶ Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Eliphaz {H464} the Temanite {H8489} answered {H6030} and said {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Next Elifaz the Teimani replied:

Berean Standard Bible

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

American Standard Version

Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 22:1 serves as a concise yet structurally significant introductory verse, marking the commencement of Eliphaz the Temanite's third and final speech within the dramatic dialogue of the Book of Job. This seemingly simple statement signals a critical turning point in the theological debate, as Eliphaz abandons earlier subtlety to launch his most direct, severe, and ultimately misguided accusations against Job, moving the narrative closer to its climax and revealing the escalating tension between human wisdom and divine mystery.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 22:1 immediately follows Job's powerful and poignant defense in [Job 21](/job/21 "Job 21 - Job's Final Response to Zophar"), where he challenges the traditional retribution theology by pointing out that the wicked often prosper in this life. This verse initiates the third and final cycle of speeches from Job's friends, though this cycle is notably truncated, with Zophar not speaking and Bildad offering only a brief response. Eliphaz, who began the first two cycles (in [Job 4](/job/4 "Job 4 - Eliphaz's First Speech") and [Job 15](/job/15 "Job 15 - Eliphaz's Second Speech") respectively), now delivers his most aggressive pronouncements. His previous arguments relied on personal experience and general wisdom; here, he escalates to explicit accusations of specific sins, setting a tone of harsh judgment that pervades the remainder of the friends' counsel. This shift indicates a deepening impasse and a move away from any pretense of comfort.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set within the broader genre of ancient Near Eastern (ANE) wisdom literature, which often explored questions of justice, suffering, and the divine order. The debate format, where speakers take turns presenting their arguments, is characteristic of such literature. The friends, including Eliphaz, represent the prevailing conventional wisdom of their time, particularly the doctrine of divine retribution: that righteousness leads to prosperity and wickedness to suffering. Eliphaz is identified as a "Temanite," indicating his origin from Teman, a city in Edom renowned for its wisdom (as referenced in [Jeremiah 49:7](/jeremiah/49-7 "Jeremiah 49:7 - Wisdom of Teman")). This background underscores the irony of his flawed counsel; a man from a place associated with profound wisdom ultimately offers a narrow and uncompassionate perspective on Job's suffering, highlighting the limitations of human wisdom when confronted with the mysteries of God's ways.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in the Book of Job. Firstly, it underscores **the persistence of misguided counsel** and the friends' unwavering commitment to their rigid theological framework, even in the face of Job's consistent declarations of innocence. Their initial silent sympathy, described in [Job 2:11](/job/2-11 "Job 2:11 - The Friends Arrive to Comfort Job"), has completely evaporated. Secondly, it signals the **escalation of accusation**, preparing the reader for the climax of the friends' arguments where their implied suspicions transform into direct, uncharitable charges. Thirdly, the phrase "answered and said" highlights the **cyclical and often unproductive nature of the debate**, where each speaker responds to the previous one, yet often fails to genuinely engage with or understand the core of the other's argument, leading to a deepening impasse rather than resolution. This verse sets the stage for the friends' final, desperate attempt to force Job into confession.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eliphaz (Hebrew, _ʼĔlîyphaz'_):** This proper noun, meaning "God of gold," identifies the speaker. Eliphaz is consistently presented as the most prominent, and arguably the most articulate, of Job's three friends. His name might subtly allude to the worldly "gold" of human wisdom that he offers, which ultimately proves insufficient and even detrimental in the face of Job's profound suffering and God's mysterious ways. His position as the first to speak in each cycle of dialogue underscores his leadership among the friends.
* **answered (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** A primitive root verb, this term primarily means "to eye" or "to heed," by implication "to respond" or "to pay attention." While it often introduces a direct reply, in the context of the Book of Job, this "answer" frequently signifies a response that fails to genuinely engage with or understand the previous speaker's points. Here, Eliphaz's "answer" is less a compassionate reply to Job's lament and more a determined continuation of his own theological agenda, indicating a lack of true listening and empathy.
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This is a primitive root verb meaning "to say" or "to speak," used with great latitude in Hebrew. Often appearing in conjunction with "answered" (as it does here), it simply indicates the commencement of direct speech. In this context, it sets the stage for the specific content of Eliphaz's third and final discourse, which will be characterized by a shift from general theological principles to explicit and severe accusations against Job.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Then Eliphaz the Temanite":** This initial clause serves to reintroduce and specifically identify the speaker, Eliphaz, who is about to deliver his final major contribution to the debate. The "¶" (pilcrow) in the KJV text is a paragraph mark, indicating a new section or thought, which in this case is the beginning of a new speech. The identification of Eliphaz by his name and origin (Temanite) reminds the reader of his established role and his reputation for wisdom, which will be starkly contrasted with the content of his ensuing speech, setting up a dramatic irony that pervades the chapter.
* **"answered and said,":** This common biblical formula signifies the commencement of a verbal response. In the dramatic context of Job, it highlights the ongoing dialogue structure of the book. However, the nature of Eliphaz's "answer" is not one of empathetic understanding or genuine engagement with Job's suffering and arguments. Instead, it signals a continuation of the friends' attempts to impose their rigid theological framework onto Job's experience, leading to further condemnation rather than comfort. It sets the stage for a speech driven by conviction rather than compassion, intensifying the conflict between Job and his counselors.

#### Literary Devices
Job 22:1, though brief, employs several significant **Literary Devices**. It functions primarily as a **Framing Device**, structurally marking the beginning of Eliphaz's third and climactic speech, thereby dividing the larger dialogue into discernible segments and signaling a new phase in the argument. This structural marker also serves as **Foreshadowing**, subtly indicating that the nature of the discourse is about to shift; the simple introduction precedes a speech that will be the most direct and accusatory of all Eliphaz's contributions, preparing the reader for the heightened tension. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** present. Eliphaz, identified as "the Temanite," comes from a region renowned for its wisdom. Yet, the content of his speech in [Job 22](/job/22 "Job 22 - Eliphaz's Third Speech") is profoundly unwise and uncompassionate, accusing an innocent man of grievous sins. This contrast between his reputation and his actions highlights the limitations of human wisdom when it becomes rigid and lacks empathy, a central theme of the entire book.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 22:1, in introducing Eliphaz's final and most aggressive speech, powerfully connects to the broader theological theme of the inadequacy of human wisdom and rigid doctrinal frameworks when confronted with the complexities of divine justice and human suffering. The friends' unwavering adherence to the retribution principle—that suffering must be a direct consequence of sin—blinds them to Job's innocence and God's sovereign purposes. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic illustration of how even well-intentioned theological propositions can become instruments of condemnation rather than comfort, revealing a profound misunderstanding of God's character and the nature of faith. It challenges the reader to consider whether their own theological convictions lead to humble empathy or to judgmental pronouncements in the face of others' pain, ultimately pointing to the need for a deeper, more nuanced understanding of God's ways beyond simplistic formulas.

* [Job 4:1](/job/4-1 "Job 4:1 - Eliphaz's First Speech Begins")
* [Job 15:1](/job/15-1 "Job 15:1 - Eliphaz's Second Speech Begins")
* [Proverbs 18:13](/proverbs/18-13 "Proverbs 18:13 - Answering Before Listening")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 22:1, though a simple introductory phrase, carries profound implications for how we engage with suffering and offer counsel. Eliphaz's "answer" is not one of empathetic listening but of predetermined judgment, reflecting a common human tendency to quickly categorize and explain suffering based on our limited understanding of divine justice. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts when confronted with the pain of others. Do we truly listen with compassion, allowing space for mystery and lament, or do we rush to offer simplistic explanations or even veiled accusations? The friends' failure to genuinely comfort Job serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of rigid theology that prioritizes explanation over empathy. True comfort often requires humility, patience, and a willingness to sit in silence with those who grieve, rather than imposing our own frameworks. It calls us to reflect on the nature of our "answers" to those in distress – are they born of genuine care and a desire to understand, or are they rooted in a need to categorize and control, ultimately adding to the burden of the suffering?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when friends or loved ones are experiencing profound suffering? Do I prioritize listening and empathy, or do I tend to offer immediate explanations or advice?**
* **In what ways might my own theological beliefs, if held too rigidly, prevent me from truly understanding and compassionately engaging with the pain of others?**
* **What lessons can I draw from Eliphaz's misguided approach in Job 22:1 about the importance of humility and patience in offering counsel to those in distress?**

### FAQ
**Why is Eliphaz's speech significant at this point in the Book of Job?**

Answer: Eliphaz's speech, introduced by Job 22:1, is highly significant because it marks the climax of the friends' accusations against Job. Up to this point, while their arguments implied Job's guilt, they had not explicitly accused him of specific, grievous sins. In [Job 22](/job/22 "Job 22 - Eliphaz's Third Speech"), Eliphaz abandons subtlety and directly charges Job with specific acts of injustice and oppression, such as exploiting the poor and denying water to the thirsty. This escalation demonstrates the friends' complete failure to understand Job's innocence and their unwavering commitment to their rigid retribution theology. It sets the stage for Job's final, desperate defense and ultimately for God's direct intervention in [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - The Lord Answers Job from the Whirlwind"), which will dismantle their flawed arguments.

**What does "Temanite" tell us about Eliphaz?**

Answer: The designation "Temanite" for Eliphaz is crucial because Teman was a city in Edom renowned throughout the ancient Near East for its wisdom. This is evidenced in biblical texts like [Jeremiah 49:7](/jeremiah/49-7 "Jeremiah 49:7 - Wisdom of Teman"), which speaks of the "wisdom of Teman." By identifying Eliphaz as a "Temanite," the author immediately establishes him as a figure of respected wisdom and authority. This background, however, creates a profound irony: despite his reputation for wisdom, Eliphaz's counsel to Job is ultimately deeply flawed, uncompassionate, and based on a limited understanding of God's ways. His "wisdom" proves inadequate in the face of true suffering and divine mystery, highlighting a central message of the Book of Job: that human wisdom, even at its best, cannot fully comprehend the ways of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The brief introductory phrase of Job 22:1, signaling Eliphaz's misguided counsel, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between the friends' judgmental approach to suffering and the compassionate, redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Eliphaz and the friends represent human attempts to explain suffering through rigid theological frameworks, often leading to false accusations and a lack of true empathy. They presumed Job's sin, demanding confession. In contrast, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly embodies divine wisdom and compassion. He did not accuse the suffering but bore the accusations and sins of humanity himself, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant") and fulfilled on the cross. Unlike the friends who offered flawed human wisdom, Christ is presented as [the wisdom of God](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God") and the ultimate answer to the problem of suffering, not by explaining it away, but by entering into it and conquering it through his atoning sacrifice. He is our [great high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest"), having been tempted in every way, yet without sin, offering true comfort and redemption where human counsel fails.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.