One of Job's three friends, the Naamathite
Zophar
Named in 4 verses of Job, first in Job 2:11.
צוֹפַרZophar
The name means “rising early; crown.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Zophar Written by AI
Zophar the Naamathite was one of the three friends of Job who came to comfort him during his time of suffering. Along with Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite, Zophar visited Job after hearing about his affliction (Job 2:11). Zophar is mentioned as the third speaker in the cycles of dialogue between Job and his friends. In his first speech (Job 11), Zophar rebukes Job for justifying himself and accuses him of mocking God. He asserts that God's wisdom is unsearchable and that Job should repent of his supposed sins. In his second speech (Job 20), Zophar describes the fate of the wicked, implying that Job's suffering is a result of his wrongdoing. Zophar's speeches reflect the traditional belief that suffering is a consequence of sin and that righteousness leads to prosperity. However, the book of Job challenges this simplistic view and presents a more complex understanding of God's justice and human suffering. In the end, God rebukes Zophar and his friends for speaking falsely about Him and instructs them to offer sacrifices and seek Job's intercession (Job 42:7 to 9).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Chirping, one of Job’s friends who came to condole with him in his distress (Job 2:11. The LXX. render here “king of the Mineans” = Ma’in, Maonites, Judg. 10:12, in Southern Arabia). He is called a Naamathite, or an inhabitant of some unknown place called Naamah.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Job 2:11
Now when Job’s three friends—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite—heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him.
- Job 11:1
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
- Job 20:1
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
- Job 42:9
So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD had told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.