Overview
Eliphaz appears in Scripture as a son of Esau and an Edomite chief (Genesis 36:10-16). He is later identified as one of Job's three friends who came to comfort him during his trials, though their counsel proved misguided and earned God's rebuke.
Key Scriptures
"These are the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau; the chief Teman, the chief Omar, the chief Zepho, the chief Kenaz" (Genesis 36:15, ESV).
"After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: 'My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has'" (Job 42:7, ESV).
"So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them" (Job 42:9, ESV).
Application
Guard against presuming to understand God's purposes in others' suffering; humble submission to Scripture is wiser than human reasoning about divine mystery.