Eliphaz
malePatriarchalMeaning: “My God is fine gold”
The firstborn son of Esau and father of Teman and (through his concubine) Amalek — a head of the clans of Edom.
Biography
Eliphaz was the eldest son of Esau by his wife Adah and one of the chiefs of Edom (Genesis 36:4, 10–16). Among his sons was Teman, whose name became a byword for Edomite wisdom, and — by his concubine Timna — Amalek, ancestor of the Amalekites who would become bitter, perennial enemies of Israel (Genesis 36:12). Eliphaz thus stands as a head of the dukes of Edom, the nation descended from Jacob's brother. (He is not to be confused with Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends.)
Life Timeline
Becomes a chief of Edom; father of Teman and Amalek
On the Bible timeline
Eliphaz belongs to the The Patriarchs era (c. 2100 – 1800 BC).
- c. 2091 BCThe Call of Abraham
- c. 1898 BCJoseph Sold into Egypt
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Eliphaz
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Eliphaz appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
6 verses in 1 bookGenesis6 verses
Genesis 36:4
And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;
Genesis 36:10
These are the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau.
Genesis 36:11
And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz. Zepho: or, Zephi
Genesis 36:12
And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
Genesis 36:15
These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
Genesis 36:16
Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.
Frequently asked about Eliphaz
Who was Eliphaz in the Bible?
The firstborn son of Esau and father of Teman and (through his concubine) Amalek — a head of the clans of Edom.
What does the name Eliphaz mean?
The name Eliphaz means “My God is fine gold”.
Who were Eliphaz's children?
Eliphaz's children include Teman.
Who were Eliphaz's parents?
Eliphaz was the child of Esau.
Where does Eliphaz appear in the Bible?
Eliphaz is mentioned 6 times across 1 book: Genesis.
What can we learn from Eliphaz?
The story of Eliphaz touches on themes of edomites, eliphaz, adah, amalekites, the — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Eliphaz's life.
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