It might have taken several months for Job’s three friends to learn about his troubles (see study note on 6:14–27; see 7:3).
The text suggests that Job’s three friends were Edomites, a people known for their wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7; Obadiah 1:8).
Eliphaz the Temanite was probably a descendant of Esau’s grandson Teman (Genesis 36:10–11, 15). His land was in Edom (Ezekiel 25:13; Amos 1:11–12).
The "Bil-" part of the name "Bildad" would remind Hebrew readers of names like Bilhan, a descendant of Esau (Genesis 36:27; 1 Chronicles 1:42). The "-dad" part of the name would remind readers of names like Bedad, father of the Edomite king Hadad (Genesis 36:35; 1 Chronicles 1:46).
Shuhite: No place named "Shuah" is known, but Abraham’s son "Shuah" was sent to “a land in the east” (Genesis 25:1, 6; 1 Chronicles 1:32).
The ancient Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) lists Zophar instead of "Zepho" as one of Esau’s grandsons (Genesis 36:11, 15; 1 Chronicles 1:36). A Naamathite might live in a town named "Naamah." But no such place is known. Two Old Testament women are named "Naamah," but neither is likely an ancestor of Zophar (Genesis 4:22; 1 Kings 14:21).