Then a spirit glided past my face
In the context of Job, this phrase occurs during Eliphaz's recounting of a mysterious vision. The term "spirit" here can be understood as a supernatural being, possibly an angel or a manifestation of divine presence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such encounters were often seen as significant, conveying messages from the divine realm. The idea of a spirit moving or gliding suggests a presence that is both ethereal and powerful, emphasizing the otherworldly nature of the experience. This aligns with other biblical instances where divine messengers appear, such as the angelic visitations in Genesis 18 or the visions of prophets like Ezekiel.

and the hair on my body bristled
This reaction indicates a profound sense of awe and fear, a common human response to encountering the divine or supernatural. The physical response of hair standing on end is a universal sign of fear or reverence, suggesting that the presence was both overwhelming and awe-inspiring. In biblical terms, fear of the Lord is often associated with wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 9:10). This phrase also connects to other scriptural moments of divine encounter, such as Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3) or Isaiah's vision in the temple (Isaiah 6), where the presence of God induces a deep, visceral reaction.

1. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. Eliphaz is the speaker in this passage, sharing a vision he experienced.

2. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, known for his suffering and faithfulness. Job's trials are the context for Eliphaz's speech.

3. Teman
A region in Edom, associated with wisdom. Eliphaz is identified as a Temanite, suggesting he is a man of wisdom and understanding.

4. The Spirit
An undefined spiritual presence that Eliphaz describes in his vision. This spirit's appearance causes a physical reaction in Eliphaz.

5. The Vision
A supernatural experience that Eliphaz recounts to Job, intended to convey a message or insight.The Reality of Spiritual Experiences
Eliphaz's vision reminds us that spiritual experiences can be profound and unsettling. As believers, we should discern such experiences through the lens of Scripture.

The Fear of the Lord
The physical reaction Eliphaz describes—his hair standing on end—illustrates the awe and reverence we should have towards God and His manifestations.

Discernment in Spiritual Matters
Not all spiritual experiences are from God. We must test the spirits and seek wisdom and understanding from God's Word to discern their origin and message.

The Role of Friends in Times of Suffering
Eliphaz's intention is to comfort Job, but his approach is flawed. This teaches us the importance of empathy and wisdom when supporting others in their trials.(15) A spirit passed before my face.--It is vain to argue from this passage that spiritual essences are capable of being seen by the bodily eye, because, first of all, the language is highly figurative and poetical, and because, secondly, every one understands that a spiritual manifestation can be made only to the spirit. The notion, therefore, of seeing a spirit is absurd in itself, because it involves the idea of seeing the invisible; but it is conceivable that the perceptions of the inner spirit may be so vivid as to assume the character of outward manifestations.

Verse 15. - Then a spirit passed before my face. It has been argued (Rosenmuller) that "a breath of air," and not "a spirit," is intended; but, in that ease, how are we to understand the expressions in the following verse: "it stood still," "the form thereof," "an image"? A breath of air, the very essence of which is to be in motion, cannot stand still, nor has it any "form," "appearance," or "imago." Granted that the Hebrew ruakh (רוח) may mean - like the Greek πνεῦμα, and the Latin spiritus - either an actual spirit, or a breath, a wind, it follows that, in every place where it occurs, we must judge by the context which is meant. Here certainly the context points to an actual living spirit, as what Eliphaz intended. Whether a spirit really appeared to him is a separate question. The whole may have been a vision; but certainly the impression left on Eliphaz was that he had had a communication from the spirit-world. The hair of my flesh stood up. Not the hair of his head only, but every hair on his whole body, stiffened, bristled, and rose up on end in horror (see the comment on ver. 14).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then a spirit
וְ֭רוּחַ (wə·rū·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

glided
יַחֲלֹ֑ף (ya·ḥă·lōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2498: To slide by, to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce, change

past
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

my face,
פָּנַ֣י (pā·nay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

[and] the hair
שַֽׂעֲרַ֥ת (śa·‘ă·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8185: Hairiness

on my body
בְּשָׂרִֽי׃ (bə·śā·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

bristled.
תְּ֝סַמֵּ֗ר (tə·sam·mêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5568: To be erect, bristle as hair


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OT Poetry: Job 4:15 Then a spirit passed before my face (Jb)