Eliphaz challenges Job to accept his counsel in full assurance, urging him to hear and verify the message for himself.
Eliphaz, an acquaintance of Job who likely lived around the same era many scholars call the Age of the Patriarchs (roughly 2000-1800 BC), concludes his first address to Job by firmly urging him to accept the counsel he has offered. He declares, “Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is; Hear it, and know for yourself.” (Job 5:27). Eliphaz comes from Teman, a region thought to be located southeast of the Dead Sea in ancient Edom, and he is one of the three friends who initially came to mourn with Job in silence for seven days, demonstrating his genuine concern for Job’s plight even if his conclusions were ultimately misguided.
When Eliphaz says “we have investigated it” he reveals a confidence in his own observations about Job’s suffering—that these afflictions must be the result of wrongdoing needing correction. By stating “hear it, and know for yourself,” Eliphaz implies that if Job would only accept this common-sense wisdom and repent, he would regain God’s favor and deliverance. This perspective underscores how Eliphaz interprets suffering as divine discipline, a theme often appearing in Scripture: humanity suffers the consequences of sin (Romans 5:12), and God uses discipline to shape those who trust Him (Hebrews 12:5-6). However, Eliphaz overlooks Job’s steadfast integrity, as well as God’s larger cosmic purpose evident from the broader narrative (Job 1:8)—details that reveal the complexity behind suffering that is not always tied directly to one’s sin.
Eliphaz’s challenge, “know for yourself,” can also echo forward to the New Testament, reminding believers to “examine everything carefully” and “hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21 not italicized). In the midst of trials, believers do well to seek God’s wisdom individually and remain faithful, just as Job is later commended for doing. Where Eliphaz’s speech falls short—by oversimplifying why affliction happens—it nonetheless reminds us that the search for truth and reliance upon God’s guidance is ever critical in times of hardship.
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Job 5:27 meaning
Eliphaz, an acquaintance of Job who likely lived around the same era many scholars call the Age of the Patriarchs (roughly 2000-1800 BC), concludes his first address to Job by firmly urging him to accept the counsel he has offered. He declares, “Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is; Hear it, and know for yourself.” (Job 5:27). Eliphaz comes from Teman, a region thought to be located southeast of the Dead Sea in ancient Edom, and he is one of the three friends who initially came to mourn with Job in silence for seven days, demonstrating his genuine concern for Job’s plight even if his conclusions were ultimately misguided.
When Eliphaz says “we have investigated it” he reveals a confidence in his own observations about Job’s suffering—that these afflictions must be the result of wrongdoing needing correction. By stating “hear it, and know for yourself,” Eliphaz implies that if Job would only accept this common-sense wisdom and repent, he would regain God’s favor and deliverance. This perspective underscores how Eliphaz interprets suffering as divine discipline, a theme often appearing in Scripture: humanity suffers the consequences of sin (Romans 5:12), and God uses discipline to shape those who trust Him (Hebrews 12:5-6). However, Eliphaz overlooks Job’s steadfast integrity, as well as God’s larger cosmic purpose evident from the broader narrative (Job 1:8)—details that reveal the complexity behind suffering that is not always tied directly to one’s sin.
Eliphaz’s challenge, “know for yourself,” can also echo forward to the New Testament, reminding believers to “examine everything carefully” and “hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21 not italicized). In the midst of trials, believers do well to seek God’s wisdom individually and remain faithful, just as Job is later commended for doing. Where Eliphaz’s speech falls short—by oversimplifying why affliction happens—it nonetheless reminds us that the search for truth and reliance upon God’s guidance is ever critical in times of hardship.