News of a terrible tragedy travels far, eventually reaching the ears of Job's closest companions. These men are his dear friends and loved ones, stepping forward to support him in his darkest hour [רש״י]. They learn of the entire chain of disasters that has struck him, from the devastating loss of his wealth and children to the painful boils covering his body [אלשיך]. Commentators debate exactly how this tragic news reaches them. The most straightforward explanation is that they simply hear about it from passing travelers and storytellers [מצודת דוד]. In contrast, some traditions describe miraculous signs alerting them to their friend's distress, such as crowns or trees suddenly withering, or their meals turning into raw meat and blood [חומת אנך]. However, others strongly reject this supernatural view as entirely unnecessary, arguing that this is simply the natural, human response of friends who hear of a tragedy and immediately set out to visit [תקות אנוש].
The men arriving to offer comfort come from various backgrounds. Eliphaz comes from the city of Teman in the land of Edom [שטיינזלץ], and is likely a descendant of Esau who lived around the time of Moses [אבן עזרא]. Bildad is a descendant of Shuah, a son born to Abraham and Keturah [אבן עזרא]. As for Zophar, it remains unclear whether his title refers to his family lineage or his country of origin [אבן עזרא].
Each friend initially sets out on his journey alone from his respective homeland [מלבי״ם]. Eventually, they gather together to form a single group [מצודת ציון]. There are different views on how this gathering takes place. Some suggest that they coordinate a specific meeting spot in advance so they can approach their friend together [רמב״ן]. Others believe they simply run into one another by chance upon arriving in the land of Uz, and from there, they continue to Job's house as a group [מלבי״ם].
Their purpose in coming is twofold. First, they wish to share in his deep sadness [שטיינזלץ], express their sorrow [רש״י], and shake their heads in sympathy, as people naturally do when a friend is hurting [מצודת דוד]. Second, they intend to offer him words of comfort [מצודת דוד]. Because they have only heard about the disasters and have not yet seen him in person, their initial plan is to offer standard comfort and sympathy. It is only later, upon seeing his horrific condition face-to-face, that they are driven to extreme acts of mourning, such as tearing their clothes, throwing dust, and sitting on the ground [אלשיך].