Zophar

For other uses, see Zophar (disambiguation).

Zophar (Hebrew: צוֹפַר‎ Ṣōp̄ar, "chirping"; "rising early"; also Tzofar) the Naamathite is one of the three friends of Job who visit him during his illness in the Book of Job (c. 6th century BCE?), Hebrew Bible / Old Testament. "Naamathite" (na'-a-ma-thit) is a Gentile name, suggesting he was from a city called Naamah, perhaps in Arabia.

Illustration of Job and his friends from the Kiev Psalter of 1397

Zophar's comments can be found in Job 11:1–20 and Job 20:1–29. He suggests that Job's suffering could be divine punishment, and goes into great detail about the consequences of living a life of sin.

Speeches

Zophar only speaks twice to Job, unlike friends Bildad and Eliphaz who each give three speeches. Zophar is the most impetuous and dogmatic of Job's three visitors: He is the first to accuse Job directly of wickedness; claiming that Job's punishment is indeed too good for him (Job 11:6), and he rebukes Job's impious presumption in trying to find out the unsearchable secrets of God (Job 11:7–12). Despite his dogmatic speech, Zophar promises Job peace and restoration, on condition of penitence and putting away iniquity (Job 11:13–19), redoubling the promises of Job's other visitors.

Zophar's second speech is a lecture on the fate of the wicked, ending with a summary appraisal, in the same style as his friend Bildad,

This is the portion of the wicked, the heritage appointed him by God.

See also

• Bildad
• Eliphaz
• Elihu

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Easton, Matthew George (1897). "Naamathite". Easton's Bible Dictionary (New and revised ed.). T. Nelson and Sons.