Zophar
Job's friend from Na'amah
Also known as: Zofar, Tsofar, Zophar
Zophar from Na'amah was one of Job's three friends who came to comfort him in his suffering. He is known for his sharp speeches in which he accused Job of hidden sin and urged him to repent. In the end, he was rebuked by God for not speaking rightly about Him, as Job had done.
Key events
Zophar comes to comfort Job
Zophar from Na'amah came together with Eliphaz and Bildad to show Job compassion and comfort him in his great suffering. They sat with him for seven days without saying a word.
11When Job's three friends heard of all the trouble that had come upon him, each of them set out from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They agreed to go together to show him sympathy and comfort him.
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת ׀ רֵעֵ֣י אִיּ֗וֹב אֵ֣ת כָּל־הָרָעָ֣ה הַזֹּאת֮ הַבָּ֣אָה עָלָיו֒ וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ מִמְּקֹמ֔וֹ אֱלִיפַ֤ז הַתֵּימָנִי֙ וּבִלְדַּ֣ד הַשּׁוּחִ֔י וְצוֹפַ֖ר הַנַּֽעֲמָתִ֑י וַיִּוָּעֲד֣וּ יַחְדָּ֔ו לָב֥וֹא לָנֽוּד־ל֖וֹ וּֽלְנַחֲמֽוֹ׃
12When they looked up from a distance, they could not recognize him. They wept aloud, tore their robes, and tossed dust into the air over their heads.
וַיִּשְׂא֨וּ אֶת־עֵינֵיהֶ֤ם מֵרָחוֹק֙ וְלֹ֣א הִכִּירֻ֔הוּ וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ קוֹלָ֖ם וַיִּבְכּ֑וּ וַֽיִּקְרְעוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ מְעִל֔וֹ וַיִּזְרְק֥וּ עָפָ֛ר עַל־רָאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם הַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה׃
13Then they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw how great his suffering was.
וַיֵּשְׁב֤וּ אִתּוֹ֙ לָאָ֔רֶץ שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים וְשִׁבְעַ֣ת לֵיל֑וֹת וְאֵין־דֹּבֵ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ דָּבָ֔ר כִּ֣י רָא֔וּ כִּֽי־גָדַ֥ל הַכְּאֵ֖ב מְאֹֽד׃
Zophar's first speech – accusation of hidden sin
In his first speech, Zophar accused Job of speaking emptily and urged him to turn to God. He claimed that God was actually punishing Job less than his sins deserved.
1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
וַ֭יַּעַן צֹפַ֥ר הַֽנַּעֲמָתִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃
2"Should such a flood of words go unanswered? Is a man proved right just because he talks?
הֲרֹ֣ב דְּ֭בָרִים לֹ֣א יֵעָנֶ֑ה וְאִם־אִ֖ישׁ שְׂפָתַ֣יִם יִצְדָּֽק׃
3Should your empty talk silence others? Are you to mock with no one to rebuke you?
בַּ֭דֶּיךָ מְתִ֣ים יַחֲרִ֑ישׁו וַ֝תִּלְעַ֗ג וְאֵ֣ין מַכְלִֽם׃
4You say, 'My teaching is pure, and I am clean in your sight.'
וַ֭תֹּאמֶר זַ֣ךְ לִקְחִ֑י וּ֝בַ֗ר הָיִ֥יתִי בְעֵינֶֽיךָ׃
5But oh, that God himself would speak, that he would open his lips against you,
וְֽאוּלָ֗ם מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן אֱל֣וֹהַּ דַּבֵּ֑ר וְיִפְתַּ֖ח שְׂפָתָ֣יו עִמָּֽךְ׃
6and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom—for sound understanding has two sides. Then you would know that God has overlooked much of your guilt.
וְיַגֶּד־לְךָ֨ ׀ תַּֽעֲלֻמ֣וֹת חָכְמָה֮ כִּֽי־כִפְלַ֢יִם לְֽת֫וּשִׁיָּ֥ה וְדַ֡ע כִּֽי־יַשֶּׁ֥ה לְךָ֥ אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַ מֵעֲוֺנֶֽךָ׃
7Can you fathom the depths of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
הַחֵ֣קֶר אֱל֣וֹהַ תִּמְצָ֑א אִ֤ם עַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית שַׁדַּ֣י תִּמְצָֽא׃
8Higher than the heavens—what can you do? Deeper than the grave—what can you know?
גָּבְהֵ֣י שָׁ֭מַיִם מַה־תִּפְעָ֑ל עֲמֻקָּ֥ה מִ֝שְּׁא֗וֹל מַה־תֵּדָֽע׃
9Its measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
אֲרֻכָּ֣ה מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִדָּ֑הּ וּ֝רְחָבָ֗ה מִנִּי־יָֽם׃
10If he sweeps through and imprisons, if he convenes the court, who can turn him back?
אִם־יַחֲלֹ֥ף וְיַסְגִּ֑יר וְ֝יַקְהִ֗יל וּמִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶֽנּוּ׃
11For he knows those who are worthless; he sees their wickedness—should he not take note of it?
כִּי־ה֭וּא יָדַ֣ע מְתֵי־שָׁ֑וְא וַיַּרְא־אָ֝֗וֶן וְלֹ֣א יִתְבּוֹנָֽן׃
12But a hollow man will gain understanding about as soon as a wild donkey is born human.
וְאִ֣ישׁ נָ֭בוּב יִלָּבֵ֑ב וְעַ֥יִר פֶּ֝֗רֶא אָדָ֥ם יִוָּלֵֽד׃
13If you would set your heart right and stretch out your hands to him,
אִם־אַ֭תָּ֗ה הֲכִינ֣וֹתָ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וּפָרַשְׂתָּ֖ אֵלָ֣יו כַּפֶּֽךָ׃
14if you put away the sin that is in your hand and let no wrongdoing dwell in your tents,
אִם־אָ֣וֶן בְּ֭יָדְךָ הַרְחִיקֵ֑הוּ וְאַל־תַּשְׁכֵּ֖ן בְּאֹהָלֶ֣יךָ עַוְלָֽה׃
15then you could lift up your face without shame; you would stand firm and be unafraid.
כִּי־אָ֤ז ׀ תִּשָּׂ֣א פָנֶ֣יךָ מִמּ֑וּם וְהָיִ֥יתָ מֻ֝צָ֗ק וְלֹ֣א תִירָֽא׃
16You would forget your misery, remembering it like waters that have flowed away.
כִּי־אַ֭תָּה עָמָ֣ל תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח כְּמַ֖יִם עָבְר֣וּ תִזְכֹּֽר׃
17Your life would be brighter than noon, and darkness would become like morning.
וּֽ֭מִצָּהֳרַיִם יָק֣וּם חָ֑לֶד תָּ֝עֻ֗פָה כַּבֹּ֥קֶר תִּהְיֶֽה׃
18You would rest secure, for there is hope; you would look around and lie down in safety.
וּֽ֭בָטַחְתָּ כִּי־יֵ֣שׁ תִּקְוָ֑ה וְ֝חָפַרְתָּ֗ לָבֶ֥טַח תִּשְׁכָּֽב׃
19You would rest with no one to make you afraid, and many would seek your favor.
וְֽ֭רָבַצְתָּ וְאֵ֣ין מַחֲרִ֑יד וְחִלּ֖וּ פָנֶ֣יךָ רַבִּֽים׃
20But the eyes of the wicked will fail; every escape will be cut off from them, and their hope will be the last gasp of breath."
וְעֵינֵ֥י רְשָׁעִ֗ים תִּ֫כְלֶ֥ינָה וּ֭מָנוֹס אָבַ֣ד מִנְהֶ֑ם וְ֝תִקְוָתָ֗ם מַֽפַּח־נָֽפֶשׁ׃ פ
Zophar describes the depth of God's wisdom
Zophar challenged Job by pointing out that God's wisdom is deeper than Sheol and broader than the sea, and that humans cannot fully grasp it.
7Can you fathom the depths of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
הַחֵ֣קֶר אֱל֣וֹהַ תִּמְצָ֑א אִ֤ם עַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית שַׁדַּ֣י תִּמְצָֽא׃
8Higher than the heavens—what can you do? Deeper than the grave—what can you know?
גָּבְהֵ֣י שָׁ֭מַיִם מַה־תִּפְעָ֑ל עֲמֻקָּ֥ה מִ֝שְּׁא֗וֹל מַה־תֵּדָֽע׃
9Its measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
אֲרֻכָּ֣ה מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִדָּ֑הּ וּ֝רְחָבָ֗ה מִנִּי־יָֽם׃
Zophar's second speech – the fate of the wicked
In his second speech, Zophar described the short-lived happiness of the wicked and their inevitable downfall. He painted a dramatic picture of how the wealth and joy of the ungodly are only temporary.
1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
וַ֭יַּעַן צֹפַ֥ר הַנַּֽעֲמָתִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃
2"My thoughts compel me to reply; that is why the agitation rises in me.
לָ֭כֵן שְׂעִפַּ֣י יְשִׁיב֑וּנִי וּ֝בַעֲב֗וּר ח֣וּשִׁי בִֽי׃
3I have heard a rebuke that shames me, but the spirit of my understanding gives me my answer.
מוּסַ֣ר כְּלִמָּתִ֣י אֶשְׁמָ֑ע וְ֝ר֗וּחַ מִֽבִּינָתִ֥י יַעֲנֵֽנִי׃
4Surely you know this from of old, ever since man was set upon the earth:
הֲזֹ֣את יָ֭דַעְתָּ מִנִּי־עַ֑ד מִנִּ֤י שִׂ֖ים אָדָ֣ם עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃
5the triumph of the wicked is brief, and the joy of the godless lasts only a moment.
כִּ֤י רִנְנַ֣ת רְ֭שָׁעִים מִקָּר֑וֹב וְשִׂמְחַ֖ת חָנֵ֣ף עֲדֵי־רָֽגַע׃
6Though his pride climbs to the heavens and his head reaches the clouds,
אִם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה לַשָּׁמַ֣יִם שִׂיא֑וֹ וְ֝רֹאשׁ֗וֹ לָעָ֥ב יַגִּֽיעַ׃
7he will perish forever like his own dung; those who saw him will ask, 'Where is he?'
כְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ לָנֶ֣צַח יֹאבֵ֑ד רֹ֝אָ֗יו יֹאמְר֥וּ אַיּֽוֹ׃
8Like a dream he flies away, and no one finds him; he is driven off like a vision of the night.
כַּחֲל֣וֹם יָ֭עוּף וְלֹ֣א יִמְצָא֑וּהוּ וְ֝יֻדַּ֗ד כְּחֶזְי֥וֹן לָֽיְלָה׃
9The eye that glimpsed him will see him no more; his place will never behold him again.
עַ֣יִן שְׁ֭זָפַתּוּ וְלֹ֣א תוֹסִ֑יף וְלֹא־ע֝֗וֹד תְּשׁוּרֶ֥נּוּ מְקוֹמֽוֹ׃
10His children must make amends to the poor; his own hands must give back his wealth.
בָּ֭נָיו יְרַצּ֣וּ דַלִּ֑ים וְ֝יָדָ֗יו תָּשֵׁ֥בְנָה אוֹנֽוֹ׃
11His bones may be full of youthful vigor, but it lies down with him in the dust.
עַ֭צְמוֹתָיו מָלְא֣וּ *עלומו **עֲלוּמָ֑יו וְ֝עִמּ֗וֹ עַל־עָפָ֥ר תִּשְׁכָּֽב׃
12Though evil tastes sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue,
אִם־תַּמְתִּ֣יק בְּפִ֣יו רָעָ֑ה יַ֝כְחִידֶ֗נָּה תַּ֣חַת לְשׁוֹנֽוֹ׃
13though he savors it and will not let it go, holding it against his palate,
יַחְמֹ֣ל עָ֭לֶיהָ וְלֹ֣א יַֽעַזְבֶ֑נָּה וְ֝יִמְנָעֶ֗נָּה בְּת֣וֹךְ חִכּֽוֹ׃
14yet his food turns sour in his stomach; it becomes the venom of vipers within him.
לַ֭חְמוֹ בְּמֵעָ֣יו נֶהְפָּ֑ךְ מְרוֹרַ֖ת פְּתָנִ֣ים בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃
15He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; God drives them out of his belly.
חַ֣יִל בָּ֭לַע וַיְקִאֶ֑נּוּ מִ֝בִּטְנ֗וֹ יוֹרִשֶׁ֥נּוּ אֵֽל׃
16He sucks the poison of vipers; the tongue of the adder kills him.
רֹאשׁ־פְּתָנִ֥ים יִינָ֑ק תַּֽ֝הַרְגֵ֗הוּ לְשׁ֣וֹן אֶפְעֶֽה׃
17He will never see the streams, the rivers running with honey and cream.
אַל־יֵ֥רֶא בִפְלַגּ֑וֹת נַהֲרֵ֥י נַ֝חֲלֵ֗י דְּבַ֣שׁ וְחֶמְאָֽה׃
18He must give back his gain and never swallow it; he cannot enjoy the profit of his trading.
מֵשִׁ֣יב יָ֭גָע וְלֹ֣א יִבְלָ֑ע כְּחֵ֥יל תְּ֝מוּרָת֗וֹ וְלֹ֣א יַעֲלֹֽס׃
19For he crushed the poor and left them destitute; he seized a house he did not build.
כִּֽי־רִ֭צַּץ עָזַ֣ב דַּלִּ֑ים בַּ֥יִת גָּ֝זַ֗ל וְלֹ֣א יִבֶנֵֽהוּ׃
20His greed knew no peace; nothing he treasured can save him.
כִּ֤י ׀ לֹא־יָדַ֣ע שָׁלֵ֣ו בְּבִטְנ֑וֹ בַּ֝חֲמוּד֗וֹ לֹ֣א יְמַלֵּֽט׃
21Nothing escaped his devouring; therefore his prosperity will not last.
אֵין־שָׂרִ֥יד לְאָכְל֑וֹ עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן לֹא־יָחִ֥יל טוּבֽוֹ׃
22In the fullness of his plenty, distress will overtake him; every hand of the wretched will come against him.
בִּמְלֹ֣אות שִׂ֭פְקוֹ יֵ֣צֶר ל֑וֹ כָּל־יַ֖ד עָמֵ֣ל תְּבוֹאֶֽנּוּ׃
23When he has filled his belly, God will unleash his burning anger against him and rain it down upon him as his food.
יְהִ֤י ׀ לְמַלֵּ֬א בִטְנ֗וֹ יְֽשַׁלַּח־בּ֭וֹ חֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֑וֹ וְיַמְטֵ֥ר עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ בִּלְחוּמֽוֹ׃
24Though he flees from an iron weapon, an arrow from a bow of bronze will pierce him through.
יִ֭בְרַח מִנֵּ֣שֶׁק בַּרְזֶ֑ל תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗הוּ קֶ֣שֶׁת נְחוּשָֽׁה׃
25It is drawn out and comes through his back, the gleaming point out of his gall; terrors close in on him.
שָׁלַף֮ וַיֵּצֵ֢א מִגֵּ֫וָ֥ה וּ֭בָרָק מִֽמְּרֹרָת֥וֹ יַהֲלֹ֗ךְ עָלָ֥יו אֵמִֽים׃
26Utter darkness lies in wait for his treasures; a fire that no breath has fanned will consume him, and it will go badly for whoever is left in his tent.
כָּל־חֹשֶׁךְ֮ טָמ֢וּן לִצְפּ֫וּנָ֥יו תְּ֭אָכְלֵהוּ אֵ֣שׁ לֹֽא־נֻפָּ֑ח יֵ֖רַע שָׂרִ֣יד בְּאָהֳלֽוֹ׃
27The heavens will expose his guilt, and the earth will rise up against him.
יְגַלּ֣וּ שָׁמַ֣יִם עֲוֺנ֑וֹ וְ֝אֶ֗רֶץ מִתְקוֹמָ֘מָ֥ה לֽוֹ׃
28The produce of his house will be carried away, poured out in torrents on the day of God's wrath.
יִ֭גֶל יְב֣וּל בֵּית֑וֹ נִ֝גָּר֗וֹת בְּי֣וֹם אַפּֽוֹ׃
29This is the portion God assigns the wicked, the inheritance decreed for him by God."
זֶ֤ה ׀ חֵֽלֶק־אָדָ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְנַחֲלַ֖ת אִמְר֣וֹ מֵאֵֽל׃ פ
Zophar urges Job to repent
Zophar urged Job to direct his heart toward God and stretch out his hands to Him, promising that this would lead to restoration and security.
13If you would set your heart right and stretch out your hands to him,
אִם־אַ֭תָּ֗ה הֲכִינ֣וֹתָ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וּפָרַשְׂתָּ֖ אֵלָ֣יו כַּפֶּֽךָ׃
14if you put away the sin that is in your hand and let no wrongdoing dwell in your tents,
אִם־אָ֣וֶן בְּ֭יָדְךָ הַרְחִיקֵ֑הוּ וְאַל־תַּשְׁכֵּ֖ן בְּאֹהָלֶ֣יךָ עַוְלָֽה׃
15then you could lift up your face without shame; you would stand firm and be unafraid.
כִּי־אָ֤ז ׀ תִּשָּׂ֣א פָנֶ֣יךָ מִמּ֑וּם וְהָיִ֥יתָ מֻ֝צָ֗ק וְלֹ֣א תִירָֽא׃
16You would forget your misery, remembering it like waters that have flowed away.
כִּי־אַ֭תָּה עָמָ֣ל תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח כְּמַ֖יִם עָבְר֣וּ תִזְכֹּֽר׃
17Your life would be brighter than noon, and darkness would become like morning.
וּֽ֭מִצָּהֳרַיִם יָק֣וּם חָ֑לֶד תָּ֝עֻ֗פָה כַּבֹּ֥קֶר תִּהְיֶֽה׃
18You would rest secure, for there is hope; you would look around and lie down in safety.
וּֽ֭בָטַחְתָּ כִּי־יֵ֣שׁ תִּקְוָ֑ה וְ֝חָפַרְתָּ֗ לָבֶ֥טַח תִּשְׁכָּֽב׃
19You would rest with no one to make you afraid, and many would seek your favor.
וְֽ֭רָבַצְתָּ וְאֵ֣ין מַחֲרִ֑יד וְחִלּ֖וּ פָנֶ֣יךָ רַבִּֽים׃
God rebukes Zophar and his friends
God spoke to Eliphaz and included Zophar in His rebuke, saying they had not spoken rightly about Him as Job had. They were told to offer burnt offerings and have Job pray for them.
7After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: "My anger burns against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.
וַיְהִ֗י אַחַ֨ר דִּבֶּ֧ר יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אֶל־אִיּ֑וֹב וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־אֱלִיפַ֣ז הַתֵּֽימָנִ֗י חָרָ֨ה אַפִּ֤י בְךָ֙ וּבִשְׁנֵ֣י רֵעֶ֔יךָ כִּ֠י לֹ֣א דִבַּרְתֶּ֥ם אֵלַ֛י נְכוֹנָ֖ה כְּעַבְדִּ֥י אִיּֽוֹב׃
8Now take seven bulls and seven rams, go to my servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."
וְעַתָּ֡ה קְחֽוּ־לָכֶ֣ם שִׁבְעָֽה־פָרִים֩ וְשִׁבְעָ֨ה אֵילִ֜ים וּלְכ֣וּ ׀ אֶל־עַבְדִּ֣י אִיּ֗וֹב וְהַעֲלִיתֶ֤ם עוֹלָה֙ בּֽ͏ַעַדְכֶ֔ם וְאִיּ֣וֹב עַבְדִּ֔י יִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֧י אִם־פָּנָ֣יו אֶשָּׂ֗א לְבִלְתִּ֞י עֲשׂ֤וֹת עִמָּכֶם֙ נְבָלָ֔ה כִּ֠י לֹ֣א דִבַּרְתֶּ֥ם אֵלַ֛י נְכוֹנָ֖ה כְּעַבְדִּ֥י אִיּֽוֹב׃
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.
וַיֵּלְכוּ֩ אֱלִיפַ֨ז הַתֵּֽימָנִ֜י וּבִלְדַּ֣ד הַשּׁוּחִ֗י צֹפַר֙ הַנַּ֣עֲמָתִ֔י וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֔וּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם יְהוָ֑ה וַיִּשָּׂ֥א יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־פְּנֵ֥י אִיּֽוֹב׃