4:1 Eliphaz the Temanite Teman was a city in Edom associated with wisdom (Jer 49:7; compare Gen 36:11; Ezek 25:13; Amos 1:12). See note on Job 2:11.

4:2 would you be offended Eliphaz uses rhetorical questions to express his dilemma: he feels like he must try to help but he does not know if Job can handle it.

4:3 you have instructed many Eliphaz begins with affirmation of Job (compare his opening statements in 15:2 and 22:2).

4:6 your fear in God your confidence Eliphaz encourages Job to take confidence in his righteousness and integrity. Ironically, Job is suffering because of his righteousness and integrity (1:8–11; 2:3–5).

4:7 who has perished who is innocent The innocent do not die prematurely (compare Psa 37:25; Acts 28:4). Eliphaz implies that since Job is still living, he is righteous and can have hope.

4:8 Just as I have seen Observation of the natural world is a key characteristic of Wisdom literature (see Eccl 1:14).

will reap it The core of Job’s friends’ arguments: Suffering is the result of sin. While the central point is true and is echoed in Prov 22:8 (compare Gal 6:7), Job’s friends apply it too broadly. In their view, all those who reap trouble must have sowed trouble. They have no room in their theology for a righteous sufferer.

4:9 the blast of his anger Compare Job 1:19, where a strong wind led to the death of Job’s children. Eliphaz may be subtly suggesting that sin caused their death (compare 8:4; 18:19; 27:14).

4:11 The lion is perishing The fiercest of beasts dies if it does not eat.

4:12 a word came stealing to me Eliphaz says what follows came to him in a vision from God (v. 13; compare Joel 2:28; Zech 13:4).

4:17 a human being be more righteous than God Eliphaz describes the point of his vision, which he repeats in each of his speeches (Job 15:14–16; 22:2). He implies that Job is suffering because he is guilty of sin. Job agrees with Eliphaz’s vision (9:2), but argues against his implication (6:10; 10:7).

can a man be more pure than his Maker This refers to a state of ritual cleanness achieved after a state of uncleanness (compare Lev 11:32; Num 19:12; Psa 51:9).

4:18 he charges his angels with error Eliphaz uses a greater-to-lesser argument: If even angels cannot meet God’s standards, humans have even less ability to do so (Job 4:19).