איוב, פרק ה׳, פסוק א׳

After sharing a profound prophetic vision, Eliphaz turns to deliver a direct rebuke to his suffering friend. The primary approach among commentators is that Eliphaz anticipates an obvious question: why was this heavenly vision granted to him and not to Job himself? The answer lies in Job's reaction to his own pain. Because Job reacted to his suffering with anger and spoke out against Heaven, he lost his spiritual standing and his worthiness to receive prophecy [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אלשיך]. Eliphaz therefore challenges Job to cry out in prayer and see if anyone answers. While Job's prayers were once answered immediately during the days of his perfect innocence, his current sinful reaction ensures that his cries will now go unheard [חומת אנך].

This challenge can also be understood as an invitation to seek human support. Eliphaz dares Job to call upon others to see if even a single person agrees with his bitter complaints and justifies his anger against the ways of God [רמב״ן]. Alternatively, Job is challenged to gather an assembly of wise men to see if anyone can offer an explanation for his suffering that differs from the one Eliphaz has just provided [תקות אנוש].

Pressing further, Eliphaz asks a rhetorical question about who Job could possibly turn to for higher assistance. Most commentators agree that he is referring to the heavenly host, the holy angels. Eliphaz wonders which angel Job expects to advocate on his behalf, deliver a prophetic vision, or fight against the severe decree that has befallen him. The underlying answer is clear: not a single angel will stand by his side, as his rebellious behavior has made him entirely unfavorable in their eyes [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. Beyond this, attempting to pray to angels is inherently wrong. Prayer must be directed exclusively to God alone, and anyone who directs their pleas elsewhere is doomed to a bitter fate [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Offering a completely different perspective, another approach suggests that the holy figures Eliphaz references are not angels in heaven, but rather pious and righteous people living on earth. Through this lens, Eliphaz is asking a pointed, rebuking question: has Job ever heard any holy person on earth voice the kind of complaints and defiant words that he is currently expressing? [אבן עזרא].