Elihu (biblical figure)

[5]Andrew B. Davidson argues that the "friends" (or companions) in this verse are not his three friends—Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar—but "most probably Job is considered here the centre of a circle of persons who cherished the same irreligious doubts in regard to God’s providence as he did".

[1] The speeches of Elihu (who is not mentioned in the prologue) contradict the fundamental opinions expressed by the 'friendly accusers' in the central body of the text, that it is impossible that the righteous should suffer, all pain being a punishment for some sin.

Elihu states that suffering may be decreed for the righteous as a protection against greater sin, for moral betterment and warning, and to elicit greater trust and dependence on a merciful, compassionate God in the midst of adversity.

Some writers question the status of Elihu's interruption and didactic sermon because of his sudden appearance and disappearance from the text.

[1] Early scholarship by figures such as Albert Barnes and John Lightfoot sometimes attributed authorship of the Book of Job to Elihu.