Job 42:7-9·~1 min

The LORD Rebukes Job’s Friends

The LORD tells Eliphaz that his wrath burns against the friends because they have not spoken rightly, then orders them to bring offerings and go to Job so that Job may pray for them. They obey, and the LORD accepts Job's prayer, reversing the posture of accusation that had defined their speeches.

A⁷fter the LORD had spoken these words to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and your two friends. For you have not spoken about Me accurately, as My servant Job has. ⁸So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.” ⁹So 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.

Section summaryAfter addressing Job, the LORD turns to Eliphaz and his companions with anger, declaring that they have not spoken rightly about him as Job has. He commands them to bring sacrifices and to seek Job's prayer, so that the man they had judged becomes the mediator through whom they receive acceptance.

Role in the chapterThis middle section publicly overturns the theology of the friends. It shows that orthodoxy without truthfulness about God's ways is culpable speech, and that reconciliation now passes through sacrifice, obedience, and Job's intercession.