Who was Eliphaz in the Bible?
Edomite, in the age of the patriarchs
Eliphaz was the firstborn son of Esau, born to his wife Adah (Gen.36.4). Eliphaz appears in 13 verses across 3 books of the Bible.
The Bible uses the name Eliphaz for 2 different entries. All 2 are below, each with its own passages.
Eliphaz, son of Esau
Eliphaz was the firstborn son of Esau, born to his wife Adah (Gen.36.4). He became the father of several sons, including Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, and Amalek (through his concubine Timna) (Gen.36.11-12). These sons grew into clans within the Edomite nation, with Eliphaz's descendants being listed among the chiefs of Edom (Gen.36.15-16). Eliphaz's lineage is also recorded in the genealogy of Esau in 1Ch.1.35-36. As the firstborn of Esau, Eliphaz played a significant role in the establishment and growth of the Edomite people, who were the descendants of Esau. The Bible does not provide any further details about Eliphaz's life or personal characteristics.
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
Eliphaz the Temanite
Eliphaz the Temanite was one of the three friends who visited Job during his time of suffering (Job.2.11). He is described as coming from Teman, an area known for its wisdom (Jer.49.7). Eliphaz, along with Bildad and Zophar, engaged in a series of dialogues with Job, attempting to explain the reasons behind Job's afflictions (Job.4-25). In his speeches, Eliphaz emphasizes the justice and sovereignty of God, suggesting that Job's suffering is a result of sin and urging him to repent (Job.4.1; 15.1; 22.1). However, at the end of the book, God rebukes Eliphaz and his two friends for not speaking what is right about Him, unlike Job (Job.42.7). God instructs them to offer sacrifices and have Job pray for them to be forgiven (Job.42.9). The Bible does not provide any further information about Eliphaz's life outside of his interactions with Job.
6 verses: Job 2:11, Job 4:1, Job 15:1, Job 22:1, Job 42:7, Job 42:9
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Where does Eliphaz appear in the Bible?
Eliphaz is referenced in 13 verses across 3 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- 1 Chronicles 1:35
- 1 Chronicles 1:36
- Genesis 36:4
- Genesis 36:10
- Genesis 36:11
- Genesis 36:12
- Genesis 36:15
Showing the first 7 of 13.
Open all 13 references in ProtosWhat else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Eliphaz.
Common questions
How many people in the Bible are called Eliphaz?
Eliphaz refers to 2 different entries in the Bible: Eliphaz, son of Esau; Eliphaz the Temanite.
How many times does the Bible mention Eliphaz?
Eliphaz appears in 13 verses across 3 books, most often in Job, which accounts for 6 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Eliphaz?
Job, Genesis, 1 Chronicles.
Where can I read every verse about Eliphaz?
This page lists 7 of them. Protos carries all 13, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.
