Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

2:11 The three friends of Job all have southern origins known in the OT. Eliphaz is from Teman, an important city in Edom (Gen. 36:11, 15; Ezek. 25:13; Amos 1:11-12), which was apparently known for its wisdom (Jer. 49:7). Bildad is from Shuah, a name of one of the sons of Abraham from his marriage to Keturah, whose brother was Midian and whose nephews were Sheba and Dedan (Gen. 25:2; 1 Chron. 1:32), the latter being the name of a place in Edom or Arabia. Zophar is from Naamah, which is the name of a woman listed in the genealogy of Cain (Gen. 4:22), from whom the Kenites were descendants (Gen. 4:22). The Kenites are also mentioned in connection with the Midianites in the Sinai and Arabian deserts (Num. 10:29; Judg. 4:11). comfort. On this key word in Job, see Introduction: Literary Features.

2:12 It is likely that Job's friends did not recognize him because, in addition to his sores, Job bore the external effects of both the emotional weight and physical manifestations of his grief (see 1:20; 2:7-8).

2:13 The silence over a period of seven days and seven nights signifies a complete time of mourning in response to the suffering of Job. Ezekiel exhibited a similar response upon meeting the exiles in Babylon (see Ezek. 3:15).