Job 4: Eliphaz Speaks

Eliphaz the Temanite speaks first. He reminds Job that he once strengthened the weak and supported those who were falling. Then he asks who ever perished being innocent, and says those who plow iniquity reap trouble. He tells of a spirit that whispered to him at night: Shall mortal man be more just than God? Eliphaz assumes Job's suffering must come from sin, but at the end of the book God says the friends did not speak what is right (42:7).

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Bible:

Read Job 4

World English Bible · 21 verses

¹ Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² “If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ Behold, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ Your words have supported him who was falling, you have made the feeble knees firm.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ But now it has come to you, and you faint. It touches you, and you are troubled.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Isn’t your piety your confidence? Isn’t the integrity of your ways your hope?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ “Remember, now, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble, reap the same.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ By the breath of God they perish. By the blast of his anger are they consumed.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions, are broken.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ The old lion perishes for lack of prey. The cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² “Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ fear came on me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ Then a spirit passed before my face. The hair of my flesh stood up.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ It stood still, but I couldn’t discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes. Silence, then I heard a voice, saying,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ ‘Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ Behold, he puts no trust in his servants. He charges his angels with error.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ Between morning and evening they are destroyed. They perish forever without any regarding it.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ Isn’t their tent cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Job 4 · Preschool

You Helped the Weak

Name Date

Color Eliphaz and the tent! Job had helped many people.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Behold, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands.”

Job 4:3 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Job helped people who were weak. Job's friend talked to him, but not all his words were right. God always knows the truth.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Job 4 · Grade 4

A Friend's Mistaken Answer

Name Date

Read and Think

Eliphaz began kindly. He reminded Job that he had instructed many, strengthened weak hands, and supported those who were falling. But then he said that now trouble had come to Job, Job was fainting. He asked whether Job's fear of God should not be his confidence.

Eliphaz then stated his main idea. Who ever perished, being innocent? Those who plow iniquity and sow trouble, he said, reap the same. In his view, suffering always proves sin. Readers know from chapter 1 that this is not why Job was suffering, because God called Job blameless.

Eliphaz described a night vision in which a spirit passed before him and asked whether a mortal can be more just than God. It is true that no one is more just than God. But Eliphaz used a true idea in the wrong way, to accuse a suffering friend. In Job 42:7 God says the friends had not spoken of Him what is right, as Job had.

Show What You Know

How did Eliphaz begin his speech?
What was Eliphaz's main idea?
Why was Eliphaz wrong about Job?
What does God say about the friends in Job 42:7?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

EliphazinnocentspiritweakGod

began kindly.
He reminded Job that he had instructed many, strengthened hands, and supported those who were falling.
Who ever perished, being ?
Readers know from chapter 1 that this is not why Job was suffering, because called Job blameless.
Eliphaz described a night vision in which a passed before him and asked whether a mortal can be more just than God.

Think About It

Eliphaz used a true idea in the wrong way. How can we make sure our words help a hurting friend?
Job had strengthened others. Who is someone weak or hurting you could encourage this week?

Memory Verse

“Remember, now, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?

Job 4:7 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for helping people who are weak. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you know if what you hear agrees with God's Word?
What does the prologue show about why Job suffered?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Job 4 · Grade 5

Eliphaz's First Speech

Name Date

Read and Think

Eliphaz the Temanite is the first of the friends to answer Job's lament. He opens politely: If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? He recalls that Job has instructed many and strengthened the weak hands. Your words have supported him who was falling, you have made the feeble knees firm. But now it has come to you, and you faint.

Then comes the principle that shapes all of Eliphaz's counsel. Remember, now, who ever perished, being innocent? He says he has seen that those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same, and that by the breath of God they perish. Eliphaz assumes that suffering must be a harvest of sin. The prologue has already shown the reader that Job's trial did not come from his sin.

Eliphaz claims a secret word came to him in the night. A spirit passed before his face, and a voice asked, Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker? The words exalt God's holiness, yet Eliphaz aims them at Job as a rebuke. Readers should weigh the friends' speeches carefully, because in Job 42:7 God tells Eliphaz, you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.

Show What You Know

How had Job helped others before his trouble?
What principle shapes Eliphaz's counsel?
What does the prologue show that Eliphaz did not know?
What did the night voice ask?
What does God tell Eliphaz in Job 42:7?

Crossword

Across

you have strengthened the ____ hands
Then a ____ passed before my face.
you have made the feeble ____ firm

Down

The Temanite who spoke first
who ever perished, being ____

Think About It

Eliphaz assumed he knew the reason for Job's pain. Why should we be careful about explaining someone else's suffering?
Job had made feeble knees firm. How can your words strengthen someone this week?

Memory Verse

“Behold, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands.”

Job 4:3 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for helping people who are weak. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does Job 42:7 say about the friends' speeches?
How can we comfort suffering friends without accusing them?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Job 4: Eliphaz Speaks

Read Job 4

Worksheets

You Helped the Weak

Prayer

Take It Home

Job Helped

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Eliphaz Talks

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Eliphaz Speaks

Prayer

Take It Home

Eliphaz Talks to Job

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Who Ever Perished Innocent?

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Eliphaz Speaks

Prayer

Take It Home

A Friend's Mistaken Answer

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Eliphaz's First Speech

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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