Job 15:10 (KJV)

What does Job 15:10 mean?

Job 15:10 means that among Eliphaz and his companions are men who are much older and more experienced than Job’s father, emphasizing the great age and wisdom present in their group. Eliphaz is pointing out that Job should respect their advice because it comes from people with long lives and deep experience.

Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, is speaking to Job during a debate about suffering and wisdom. In this verse, Eliphaz tries to strengthen his argument by highlighting the presence of the “grayheaded and very aged men,” suggesting that their collective wisdom outweighs Job’s own understanding. The verse is meant to remind Job that he is not the only one with insight, and that tradition and experience should be respected in the discussion.

The Hebrew behind Job 15:10

• “grayheaded” (שֵׂיבָה, seivah): This word refers to someone with gray or white hair, a sign of old age and, in the ancient world, often associated with wisdom and respect.
• “aged” (יָשִׁישׁ, yashish): This word means someone who is very old, emphasizing not just age but the idea of being advanced in years and experience.
• “much” (רַב, rav): This word here intensifies the comparison, stressing that these men are not just older, but “much” older than Job’s father.
• “elder” (יֹום, yom): This word literally means “days,” but in this context, it refers to someone who has seen many days—again, highlighting age and experience.
• “father” (אָב, av): This is the common word for “father,” used here to make the point that the elders present are even older than Job’s own father, further underlining their authority.

Why Job 15:10 matters

• Job 15:10 clarifies that Eliphaz is appealing to tradition and the authority of elders, not just his own opinion, which is important for understanding the tone and direction of his argument.
• The verse helps explain why Job’s friends feel so confident in their advice—they believe their collective wisdom, rooted in age and experience, should not be questioned.
• This verse also sets up the tension in the book between traditional wisdom and personal experience, which is a key theme in the conversations between Job and his friends.