Job 4:1 — Word Study
WLCוַ֭יַּעַן אֱלִיפַ֥ז הַֽתֵּימָנִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃
BSAThen EliphazʼĔlîyphaz [a descendant of Esau] the TemaniteTêymânîy [from Teman, a region in Edom] repliedʻânâh▸ [answered, responded, and said]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַ֭יַּעַן | and he answered | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֱלִיפַ֥ז | Eliphaz | Noun proper masculine |
| הַֽתֵּימָנִ֗י | the Temanite | Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute |
| וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: |
| KJV | Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, |
| ASV | Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, |
| YLT | And Eliphaz the Temanite answereth and saith: — |
| WEB | Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, |
| BBE | And Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said, |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of Eliphaz's response.
The main clause introduces Eliphaz's reply, followed by two verbs that detail his actions.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָנָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 4:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Dialogue Beginsgenerated
Job 4:1 introduces Eliphaz the Temanite, who replies to Job amidst his suffering. This marks the start of a series of dialogues where Job's friends attempt to explain his misfortunes. Eliphaz, as a representative of wisdom, seeks to address Job's plight, which sets the stage for the unfolding discussions about suffering and righteousness.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 2:11 | Now when Job’s three friends—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite—heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him. |
| 2 | Job 15:1 | Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: |
| 3 | Job 22:1 | Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: |
| 4 | Job 42:9 | So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD had told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s request. |
| 5 | Job 3:1–2 | After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עָנָה, Vai.ya.'angenerated
The verb עָנָה (*anah*) is a Qal imperfect form meaning 'to answer' or 'to respond.' It is derived from a root that implies paying attention or heeding. This term encompasses a range of meanings, including verbal responses and musical expressions, indicating its versatility in contexts of communication.
In this verse, Eliphaz uses this verb to indicate that he is about to provide a response to Job's situation. The choice of this verb suggests a formal reply, setting a tone for the dialogue that follows.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the rendering of Eliphaz's action as a response to Job.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around two finite verbs: עָנָה and אָמַר, meaning 'he answered' and 'he said,' respectively. The first verb indicates Eliphaz's action of replying, while the second verb introduces his speech.
The sequence of verbs emphasizes Eliphaz's active role in the dialogue, illustrating a clear progression from response to speech.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb עָנָה is rendered as ὑπολαβὼν (*hypolabon*), which means 'having taken up' or 'responding.' This choice indicates a more dynamic engagement with Job's situation, suggesting that Eliphaz is not merely answering but actively engaging in the conversation.
This translation reflects a slight interpretive shift, emphasizing Eliphaz's role in the dialogue as one who takes initiative in addressing Job.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 4:1 shows Eliphaz the Temanite responding to Job. Eliphaz is a friend of Job and a descendant of Esau. He begins to speak, indicating that he has something to say about Job's situation.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Eliphaz is a friend of Job and a descendant of Esau, known for his wisdom.
His response suggests he is about to offer insight or advice regarding Job's suffering.
The dialogues in Job explore themes of suffering, justice, and the nature of God.
As one of Job's friends, Eliphaz's perspective shapes the discussion about Job's afflictions and the reasons behind them.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn from Eliphaz's approach to responding to Job's suffering?
- How do the responses of friends impact those who are suffering?
- In what ways can we offer support to those in distress, similar to Eliphaz's intention?
- What themes of suffering and justice are present in the dialogues of Job?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like John Chrysostom and Gregory the Dialogist reference this verse to discuss Eliphaz's role and the implications of his words in the context of Job's suffering.
What does Eliphaz say? “Have you often spoken in your suffering?” By “suffering” the Scripture may signify “sin,” as it states, “Under his tongue is mischief.” Eliphaz did not say, Have you committed any evil action? Eliphaz asks,Early Church Fathers on Job 4 →
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? It has been already declared above, what there is set forth in the interpretation of these names.Early Church Fathers on Job 4 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 4:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThen Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said. When Job was done cursing his day, and had finished his doleful ditty on that subject, then Eliphaz took the opportunity of speaking, not being able to
Read John Gill on Job 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, Eliphaz - the mildest of Job's three accusers.
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,Ver. 1. Then Eliphaz the Temanite] Then, when Job had laid about him in this sort; and, giving his tongue too much liberty to lash out, had uttered words little better than blasphemous and contumelious against God; then Eliphaz, Temanites ille, the first born of Esau, Genesis 36:4 (saith R. Salomon), brought up in the bosom of Isaac, and so inured to revelations from on high. Others think he descended of Teman, nephew to Esau, &c. A man of great wisdom he was, and of great discourse; one that could speak his mind fitly, and did it freely. He seems to have been the chief of the three for age and authority, and therefore begins; pretending…
Read John Trapp on Job 4 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER IV Eliphaz answers; and accuses Job of impatience, and of despondence in the time of adversity, 1-6; asserts that no innocent man ever perished, and that the wicked are afflicted for their sins, 7-11; relates a vision that he had, 12-16, and what was said to him on the occasion, 17-21. NOTES ON CHAP. IV Verse 1. Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered] For seven days this person and his two friends had observed a profound silence, being awed and confounded at the sight of Job's unprecedented affliction. Having now sufficiently contemplated his afflicted state, and heard his bitter complaint, forgetting that he came as a comforter, and not as a reprover, he loses the feeling of the friend…
Read AdamClarke on Job 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesCh. Job 4:1-11. Eliphaz wonders that Job, who had comforted so many in trouble, and was a righteous man, should fall into such despair under his afflictions Eliphaz would gladly have kept silence in the circumstances of his friend, but the tone of Job’s words constrains him to speak (Job 4:2). He wonders at the despondency of Job, one who had shewn himself so skilful in comforting other good men in affliction (Job 4:3-4), and who was himself a righteous man. He should place confidence in his righteousness, and remember that the righteous never perish under affliction. God does not send trouble upon them to destroy them, but for very different ends (Job 4:6-7). It is only the wicked whom He…
Read Cambridge on Job 4 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThen Eliphaz the Temanite answered - See the notes at Job 2:11.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 4 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleThe First Course of the Controversy. Chaps. 4-14.FIRST OF ELIPHAZ, ch. 4, 5.1.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 4 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,
Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
Tyndale line
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, and sayde,
Strictly literal
And Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
And Eliphaz the Temanite answereth and saith: —
And Eliphaz the Temanite answers and says:
Then answered Eliphaz the Themanite, and said,
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
From the Latin
Then Eliphaz the Themanite answered, and said:
Simplified
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered Job.
And Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: וַ֭יַּעַן אֱלִיפַ֥ז הַֽתֵּימָנִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃. The Septuagint matches this closely, with all four words corresponding directly, indicating a strong textual agreement between these witnesses.
וַ֭יַּעַן אֱלִיפַ֥ז הַֽתֵּימָנִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃
4 of the 4 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 4:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.
[עוּן] vb. dwell
base
עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond
Qal
answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
money meets all demands
specif. respond as a witness, testify
less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
Niph.
make answer
be answered
Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
base
עָנָה vb. sing
Qal sing, utter tunefully
Pi. sing sweetly of it
base
H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
. money meets all demands
. . specif. respond as a witness, testify
. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
. . make answer
. be answered
. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
H6030c עָנָה sing
6030 `anah aw-naw'
a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,
i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to
begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,
announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),
(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,
hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing
(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.
See also 1042, 1043.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 01042
see HEBREW for 01043
עוּן (un) — to dwell.
(Qal) to dwell
עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.
1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to answer, respond to
1a2) to testify, respond as a witness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to make answer
1b2) to be answered, receive answer
Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)
עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.
(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
אֱלִיפַז (Eliyphaz) refers to a name meaning 'my God is (fine) gold.' It denotes both a son of Esau and a friend of Job. The entries highlight his lineage, including his mother Adah and his children, as well as his role in the Book of Job.
אֱלִיפַז n.pr.m. (God of fine gold?)
son of Esau
friend of Job
base
H464 אֱלִיפַז (God of fine gold?) . son of Esau
. friend of Job
464 'Eliyphaz el-ee-faz'
from 410 and 6337; God of gold; Eliphaz, the name of one of
Job's friends, and of a son of Esau:--Eliphaz.
see HEBREW for 0410
see HEBREW for 06337
אֱלִיפַז (e.li.phaz) — Eliphaz.
A man of the Edomites living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.4;
son of: Esau (H6215) and Adah (H5711H);
half-brother of: Reuel (H7467), Jeush (H3266), Jalam (H3281) and Korah (H7141); married to Timna (H8555);
father of: Teman (H8487), Omar (H0201), Zepho (H6825), Gatam (H1609), Kenaz (H7073), Amalek (H6002H) and Korah (H7141H)
§ Eliphaz = "my God is (fine) gold"
1) Esau's son, father of Teman
2) the Temanite friend of Job
אֱלִיפַז (e.li.phaz) — Eliphaz.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Job.2.11
§ Eliphaz = "my God is (fine) gold"
1) Esau's son, father of Teman
2) the Temanite friend of Job
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Eliphaz
God his strength. (1.) One of Job’s “three friends” who visited him in his affliction (4:1). He was a “Temanite”, i.e., a native of Teman, in Idumea. He first enters into debate with Job. His language is uniformly more delicate and gentle than that of the other two, although he imputes to Job special sins as the cause of his present sufferings. He states with remarkable force of language the infinite purity and majesty of God (4:12-21; 15:12-16).
(2.) The son of Esau by his wife Adah, and father of several Edomitish tribes (Gen. 36:4, 10, 11, 16).
(God is his strength). The son of Esau and Adah, and the father of Teman. (Genesis 36:4; 1 Chronicles 1:35,36) The chief of the "three friends" of Job. He is called "the Temanite;" hence it is naturally inferred that he was a descendant of Teman. On him falls the main burden of the argument, that God’s retribution in this world is perfect and certain, and that consequently suffering must be a proof of previous sin. Job 4,5,15,22. The great truth brought out by him is the unapproachable majesty and purity of God. (Job 4:12-21; 15:12-16) [JOB, JOB, BOOK OF]
the endeavor of God
תֵּימָנִי (teymaní) refers to a Temanite, someone from Teman, a region east of Idumea. It is derived from תֵּימָן (Teman), which is associated with Esau's grandson and a duke of Edom. The entries consistently identify it as a descriptor for a descendant or inhabitant of Teman.
תֵּימָנִי adj.gent. the land of the Temanites
base
H8489 תֵּימָנִי the land of the Temanites
8489 Teymaniy tay-maw-nee'
patronymically from 8487; a Temanite or descendant of
Teman:--Temani, Temanite.
see HEBREW for 08487
תֵּימָנִי (te.ma.ni) — Temanite.
Someone from Teman
Group of te.man (תֵּימָן "Teman" H8487H)
§ Temanite or Temani "southward"
1) an inhabitant of Teman located east of Idumea
2) a descendant of Teman, the grandson of Esau and a duke of Edom
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ngmsa
Temanite
A man of Teman, the designation of Eliphaz, one of Job’s three friends (Job 2:11; 22:1).
an inhabitant of Teman.
→ See TEMAN
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Hc/Vqw3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms