Bible Dictionary
Eliphaz
Eliphaz was both a son of Esau and a Temanite who visited Job during his affliction. The Temanite Eliphaz was the first of Job’s three friends to speak.
Definition
Eliphaz means “God is his strength.” The name belonged both to a son of Esau and to a Temanite who visited Job during his affliction. The Temanite was the first of Job’s three friends to enter the debate.
Biblical Usage
Job’s friend Eliphaz spoke first in the discussion and attributed Job’s suffering to particular sins, while also declaring the purity and majesty of God. Esau’s son Eliphaz became the father of several Edomite tribes.
Historical Background
The Temanite Eliphaz came from Teman in Idumea. The other Eliphaz belonged to Esau’s Edomite line.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(God is his strength).