Study notes

Job 15

Introducing JobWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

4:1–31:40 Section

Eliphaz and Bildad each spoke three times. Zophar spoke twice. All of their speeches are recorded as long poems.

Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar explained the reason why they thought Job was suffering. Throughout his life, Eliphaz had noticed that trouble came to foolish people. Suffering was how they were taught as well as punished for their sins. Eliphaz believed that this was a pattern for how things work in the world. He believed that it was happening in Job’s case.

Bildad had noticed that God didn’t bring judgement against people who hadn’t sinned. This was a lesson that people had taught for hundreds of years. Bildad believed it was a pattern for how things work in the world. So he thought that Job and his family were being punished for their sins.

Zophar was sure that ungodly people are always punished. He believed that this is how things had always been in the world. He was sure that God was bringing judgement on Job for sins Job had committed.

Job answered Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar each time after they spoke. Job was sad and angry because his friends said things that weren’t helpful. Many of the things they said were true. But the patterns they noticed in life didn’t apply to Job’s case. Job hadn’t sinned in secret. Job didn’t claim to have never sinned. But he knew that God wasn’t punishing him for his sins. Job knew that he had lived the way God wanted people to live. His friends didn’t understand him. They accused him falsely.

Job believed that God did understand him. Job believed that God knew that he wasn’t guilty of secret sins. Job wanted God to explain why his life had become so difficult. Job was very confused by God and angry at him. But Job continued to have respect for God and to avoid evil. He did this even though he was suffering terribly. This showed that Job had wisdom and understanding.

15:1

In this second round of speeches, Job's friends discuss the fate of wicked people. They suggest that Job's condition means he has sinned.

15:2–3

fill his belly with the hot east wind: The east wind was hot, so it might symbolize upset or violent speech (Exodus 14:21; Hosea 13:15; Jonah 4:8; Job 27:21; Jeremiah 18:17).

15:6

Your own mouth … condemns you: Job feared this would happen (9:20; see Matthew 26:65).

15:7–8

When the Lord later gave a similar challenge, Job found it convincing (38:1–11).

15:8

The book's readers know about God's secret council (1:6–12; 2:1–6; see 1 Kings 22:19–20; Psalm 89:5–7). But Job and his friends did not.

15:9–10

Aged men who are gray-haired claim they alone have wisdom (8:8–10; 12:20; see 12:2).

15:12

why do your eyes flash: This sentence might be a metaphor for unbelief, or it could mean winking like a person planning a trick or someone blinking in disbelief.

15:14

What is man, that he should be pure: Eliphaz repeated himself and Job (4:17–19; 7:17; 14:4).
one born of woman: Both man and born of woman suggest weakness.

15:15

The heavens, often linked with what is pure, were not completely pure (Exodus 24:10). Rebellious angels may have brought pollution (Job 1:6–7).

15:17–19

when no foreigner passed among them: Eliphaz's contempt for foreign ideas is ironic. Wisdom literature is more international than other Old Testament writings.

15:20–35

Evil people experience everything that happened to Job (see 1:16–19):

Attacks by thieves (15:21).
Loss of possessions (15:29).
Collapse of houses (15:28).
Fire (15:30, 34).

15:21

Eliphaz spoke about the fear that evil people feel, and Job had similar experiences (3:25; 6:4; 9:34; 13:11, 21; 23:15; 27:20; 30:15). Bildad and Zophar warned of more fear to come (18:11,14 ; 20:25).
The Sabeans and Chaldeans were examples of "destroyers" (1:13–17). But this could mean any destructive force (1:18–19). A destroyer might be an agent of Satan or divine agents that punish evil (1 Corinthians 10:10; Revelation 9:11; Exodus 12:23; 2 Samuel 24:16; 2 Chronicles 32:21; Acts 12:23; Hebrews 11:28). Eliphaz referred to divine agents.

15:22

he is marked for the sword: The evil people may die by murder or by God's punishment.

15:23

Like evil people, Job may have experienced hunger. Or, following the ancient Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), the Berean Standard Bible says Job "wanders about as food for vultures.” This would be similar to being “marked for the sword” (15:22).

15:25

Earlier, Job complained that God was treating him like a powerful enemy (7:19–21; 13:24).

15:30

The flame, could refer to the sun burning or the flame of judgment from God (see 15:34; Numbers 16:31–35; Psalms 106:17–18; Ezekiel 20:47).
the breath of God's mouth: This might be a desert wind or a direct "theophany" (a revelation of God’s presence) that caused the "fire" of Job 15:34.

15:34

"The flame" of judgment will destroy the unfair profits of those without faith (15:30).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources