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Job 15

35 verses

TL;DR

Eliphaz rebukes Job for speaking vain words and questions his understanding of God, warning him of the dangers of pride and the consequences of wickedness.

Summary

Eliphaz the Temanite addresses Job with a harsh rebuke, accusing him of uttering empty wisdom and disregarding fear and prayer toward God. He questions Job’s claim of divine insight, highlighting that humans are born impure and cannot attain righteousness. Eliphaz warns that the wicked will suffer pain and darkness, that their wealth and power will not endure, and that vanity will be their downfall. He urges Job to reconsider his defiance, reminding him that the earth rewards the righteous and punishes the proud. The chapter serves as a stern reminder of human limitation and the perils of prideful disobedience.

Outline
  1. Eliphaz's condemnation of Job’s empty wisdom and disregard for God’s fear.
  2. Questioning Job’s knowledge of divine secrets and the nature of human righteousness.
  3. Warnings about the fate of the wicked and a caution against pride and vanity.
Themes
Human pride and its consequencesLimits of human understanding versus divine wisdomThe danger of defying God and the fate of the wicked
Keywords
wisevainfearprayeriniquitytonguemouthwisdomGodwickednessdarknessvanitytruthcondemnation
People
EliphazJob
Places
Teman
Things
wisdomvanitydarknessfire
Key Verses
  • Job 15:1: Beginning of Eliphaz’s rebuke and challenge to Job.
  • Job 15:14: Illustrates humanity’s inherent impurity and the futility of striving for righteousness.
  • Job 15:31: Condemns reliance on vanity and warns of its inevitable punishment.
Questions
  • What does Eliphaz mean by questioning whether a wise man can utter vain knowledge?
  • How does Eliphaz’s view of human wisdom differ from Job’s claims of divine understanding?
  • What warnings does Eliphaz give about the consequences of pride and defiance?
  • How does the motif of 'darkness' function symbolically in Eliphaz’s argument?
Sentiment

negative
Eliphaz’s tone is critical, condemning Job’s words and warning of punishment.