1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 [If] we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6 [Is] not [this] thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
7 Remember, I pray thee, who [ever] perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’s whelps are scattered abroad.
12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image [was] before mine eyes, [there was] silence, and I heard a voice, [saying],
17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
19 How much less [in] them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation [is] in the dust, [which] are crushed before the moth?
20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding [it].
21 Doth not their excellency [which is] in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.
Summary of Job Chapter 4
In Job Chapter 4, Eliphaz the Temanite speaks to Job in response to his lamentations regarding his suffering. This chapter marks the beginning of the dialogues between Job and his friends, who come to offer their perspectives on his misfortunes. Eliphaz’s speech is characterized by his belief in the principle of retributive justice, suggesting that suffering is a direct consequence of sin.
Key Themes
- Retributive Justice: Eliphaz asserts that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked, implying that Job’s suffering must be a result of his wrongdoing.
- Human Experience: Eliphaz reflects on the nature of human suffering and the inevitability of hardship, emphasizing that no one is without sin.
- Divine Wisdom: The chapter highlights the idea that God’s wisdom is beyond human understanding, and that His ways are not always clear to mortals.
Analysis of Eliphaz’s Argument
Eliphaz begins by addressing Job directly, suggesting that Job’s previous words of comfort to others now require him to accept comfort in his own time of need. He questions why Job should be afraid in the face of suffering, implying that fear is a sign of guilt.
Key Points in Eliphaz’s Speech
- Experience as Authority: Eliphaz claims that his insights come from personal experience and a mystical encounter, suggesting that he has received divine revelation. He recounts a vision that emphasizes the frailty of humanity.
- Questioning Job’s Integrity: Eliphaz challenges Job by asking, “Who, being innocent, has ever perished?” This rhetorical question reinforces the idea that suffering is a punishment for sin.
- God’s Justice: He asserts that God does not pervert justice, reinforcing the notion that Job’s plight must be a result of his own actions. This reflects a common belief in ancient Near Eastern thought.
Literary Devices
Eliphaz employs several literary devices to convey his message effectively:
- Imagery: The use of vivid imagery in describing the vision he experienced serves to lend authority to his argument and to evoke a sense of awe regarding divine matters.
- Rhetorical Questions: Eliphaz uses rhetorical questions to provoke thought and challenge Job’s perspective, making his assertions seem more compelling.
- Parallelism: The structure of his speech often employs parallelism, which is common in Hebrew poetry, to emphasize his points and create a rhythmic flow.
Implications for Job
Eliphaz’s speech sets the stage for the ongoing dialogue throughout the Book of Job. His insistence on retributive justice challenges Job’s understanding of his suffering and introduces a conflict between Job’s innocence and the belief that suffering is deserved. This chapter raises critical questions about the nature of suffering, the character of God, and the complexity of human righteousness.
Conclusion
Job Chapter 4 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, where the themes of suffering, justice, and divine wisdom are introduced through Eliphaz’s perspective. His arguments reflect a traditional understanding of the relationship between sin and suffering, which will be challenged as the dialogue progresses. This chapter invites readers to reflect on the nature of their own beliefs about suffering and divine justice.
