What is the context?
Eliphaz challenges Job to find anyone who will answer him, then describes resentment destroying a fool and a household whose children and harvest are lost.
The example sounds painfully close to Job’s recent bereavement and losses. It supports Eliphaz’s argument that trouble belongs with foolish or wrongful conduct.
His general statement about human trouble does not answer why this upright man suffers. The speech risks giving a familiar explanation more weight than the person and facts before him.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley takes the holy ones as good people who will agree with Eliphaz. The USCCB note instead understands heavenly figures approached as intercessors. Either way, the challenge belongs to Eliphaz’s case; it does not supply independent testimony that Job’s children died because their father was wicked.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.
Where can I study this further?
No deeper study linked yet.