Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, older than your father.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Eliphaz isn't just stating that older men are present; he's strategically asserting that his party includes the voices of profound antiquity, implying their wisdom and judgment carry more weight than Job's singular experience. By highlighting their extreme age, surpassing Job's own father, he's subtly positioning Job as both inexperienced and presumptuous for challenging such venerable authority.
Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, older than your father.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Eliphaz, speaking for himself and his friends, is pushing back against Job's claims to wisdom and understanding. He argues that their collective experience, embodied by the presence of elders among them who are significantly older than Job's father, lends their counsel more authority and weight. This verse highlights their strategy of appealing to seniority and tradition as a basis for their judgment against Job.
Eliphaz is building a case, and he's bringing out the heavy artillery: seniority. What does the presence of 'gray-haired and very aged men' signify in their argument?
In ancient cultures, age was almost synonymous with wisdom and authority. Eliphaz, speaking for himself and his friends, uses the presence of very old men to bolster their claims.
Asserting Credibility
When Eliphaz says 'us' and 'older than your father,' is he really talking about a whole crowd, or is he pointing a finger? And is he possibly referring to himself?
While Eliphaz speaks in the plural ('us,' 'men'), the scholarly context suggests he might be subtly, or even not so subtly, referring to himself and perhaps his two companions.
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The Elder Statesman
Eliphaz's appeal to the authority of the aged reflects a common ancient Near Eastern respect for elders and tradition as sources of wisdom, especially in times of crisis and theological debate.
c. 2000 BC
Abrahamic Covenant Established
God establishes a foundational covenant with Abraham, promising descendants and land, setting the stage for Israel's history and its understanding of divine justice and faithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, a pivotal event demonstrating God's power, judgment, and deliverance, deeply shaping their national identity and theological framework.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Flourishes
The height of the united Israelite monarchy under King David, a period of relative peace and prosperity, yet also marked by complex human struggles with sin and divine consequences.
c. 931 BC
Divided Monarchy
Following Solomon's death, the kingdom splits into Israel (North) and Judah (South), leading to periods of political instability and differing religious trajectories.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people. This event served as a stark warning about the consequences of disobedience.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquer Judah and destroy Jerusalem, exiling many of its people. This marked a profound crisis of faith and understanding of God's justice.
c. 400 BC— this verse
The Book of Job Composed
The story of Job, a righteous man who suffers immensely, is written down. The dialogues, including this verse from Eliphaz's speech, grapple with the nature of suffering, justice, and wisdom.
This verse directly echoes Job's earlier assertion that wisdom is found with the aged, which Eliphaz is now weaponizing against him.
Proverbs 16:31The Bible consistently links gray hair with dignity and respect, a concept Eliphaz invokes to lend authority to his argument by invoking the wisdom of elders.
Ecclesiastes 4:13This passage speaks to the perceived wisdom of age and experience, highlighting the cultural value placed on elders and their counsel, which Eliphaz leverages.
1 Kings 12:6-7This passage shows a king seeking counsel from both the older and younger advisors, illustrating the societal importance of heeding the wisdom of elders, a principle Eliphaz appeals to.
clarkeJob 15:10: "With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father."
With us are both the gray-headed - One copy of the Chaldee Targum paraphrases the verse thus: "Truly Eliphaz the hoary-headed, and Bildad the long-lived, are among us; and Zophar, who in age surpasseth thy father." It is very likely that Eliphaz refers to himself and his friends in this verse, and not either to the old men of their tribes, or to the masters by whom they themselves were instructed. Elipha…
pooleJob 15:10: "With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father."
With us, i.e. among us; either, 1. Some of us, who seem to have been very ancient from Job 32:7 . Or, 2. Some others with whom we have conversed, and who are of our opinion in this matter. And this they oppose to that passage of Job’s, Job 12:12 .
Eliphaz isn't just stating that older men are present; he's strategically asserting that his party includes the voices of profound antiquity, implying their wisdom and judgment carry more weight than Job's singular experience. By highlighting their extreme age, surpassing Job's own father, he's subtly positioning Job as both inexperienced and presumptuous for challenging such venerable authority.
Eliphaz, speaking for himself and his friends, is pushing back against Job's claims to wisdom and understanding. He argues that their collective experience, embodied by the presence of elders among them who are significantly older than Job's father, lends their counsel more authority and weight. This verse highlights their strategy of appealing to seniority and tradition as a basis for their judgment against Job.
Eliphaz, speaking for himself and his friends, is pushing back against Job's claims to wisdom and understanding. He argues that their collective experience, embodied by the presence of elders among them who are significantly older than Job's father, lends their counsel more authority and weight. This verse highlights their strategy of appealing to seniority and tradition as a basis for their judgment against Job.
"Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, older than your father." — Eliphaz isn't just stating that older men are present; he's strategically asserting that his party includes the voices of profound antiquity, implying their wisdom and judgment carry more weight th…
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Last reviewed October 2026