Now a word came to me secretly;
This phrase introduces a revelation or message that is not openly declared but is received in a private or concealed manner. In the context of the Book of Job, this reflects the nature of divine communication, which can often be mysterious and not immediately understood. The idea of receiving a word secretly suggests a personal and intimate encounter with the divine, reminiscent of how God often communicated with prophets in the Old Testament, such as with Elijah in 1 Kings 19:12, where God speaks in a "gentle whisper." This also highlights the theme of divine wisdom being hidden and only revealed to those whom God chooses, as seen in Proverbs 25:2.

my ears caught a whisper of it.
The imagery of a whisper suggests something faint and easily missed, requiring attentiveness and discernment to understand. This aligns with the biblical theme that God's voice can be subtle and requires a heart attuned to His presence, as seen in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." The whisper can also symbolize the elusive nature of understanding divine purposes, a central theme in the Book of Job, where human wisdom is contrasted with God's infinite understanding. This phrase may also evoke the idea of revelation being progressive, where full understanding is not immediate but unfolds over time, similar to how Jesus often spoke in parables, requiring listeners to seek deeper meaning (Matthew 13:10-17).

1. Eliphaz the Temanite
One of Job's three friends who comes to comfort him. He is the speaker in this passage and is known for his wisdom and experience.

2. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, a man known for his righteousness and suffering. His account is a profound exploration of faith, suffering, and divine justice.

3. Teman
A region in Edom, known for its wise men. Eliphaz, being a Temanite, is associated with this place, which adds weight to his words due to the region's reputation for wisdom.

4. The Whisper
Represents the subtle and mysterious way in which divine or spiritual insights can be communicated to humans, often requiring discernment and reflection.

5. The Vision
Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, Eliphaz later describes a vision that accompanies this whisper, suggesting a supernatural encounter.The Nature of Divine Communication
God often communicates in subtle ways that require attentiveness and spiritual sensitivity. We must cultivate a quiet heart to hear His whispers.

Discernment in Spiritual Experiences
Not every spiritual experience or insight is from God. We must test and discern the source of such revelations, aligning them with Scripture.

The Role of Friends in Times of Suffering
Like Eliphaz, friends may offer insights during our trials. However, we must weigh their words carefully, ensuring they align with God's truth.

The Importance of Humility in Wisdom
Eliphaz's approach reminds us that wisdom should be shared with humility, recognizing our limited understanding of God's ways.

Seeking God's Wisdom
We should actively seek God's wisdom through prayer and Scripture, being open to His guidance in unexpected ways.(12) Now a thing.--He now proceeds to enforce and illustrate what he has said in highly poetical language, which has been versified in one of Byron's Hebrew Melodies.

Secretly brought to me.--Literally, was stolen for me. Joseph uses the same expression of himself in Genesis 40:15.

Mine ear received a little, compared with the inexhaustible resources remaining unrevealed. The word used for little is only found once again, and in the mouth of Job (Job 26:14).

Verses 12-21. - Eliphaz proceeds to narrate a spiritual experience of a very strange and striking character. It was night, and he had fallen asleep, when suddenly he was, or seemed to himself to be, awake. A horrible fear came over him, and all his limbs trembled and quaked. Then a spirit seemed to pass before his face, while every hair on his body rose up and stiffened with horror. It did not simply pass across him, but stood still, in a formless form, which he could see but not clearly distinguish. There was a deep hush. Then out of the silence there seemed to come a voice, a whisper, which articulated solemn words. "Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man," etc.? Supernatural visitations were vouchsafed by God to many besides the chosen people - to Laban, when he pursued Jacob (Genesis 31:24), to Abimelech (Genesis 20:6), to the Pharaoh of the time of Joseph (Genesis 41:1-7), to his chief butler (Genesis 40:9-11), and his chief baker (Genesis 40:16, 17), to Balaam the son of Beer (Numbers 22:12, 20; Numbers 23:5-10, 16-24; Numbers 24:3-9, 15-24), to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:28-35; Daniel 4:1-32), and others. The method and manner of these visitations raise a multitude of questions which it is impossible to answer, but are convincing evidence to all who believe Scripture to be true, that communications can pass between the spiritual and material worlds of a strange and mysterious character. The communication to Eliphaz may have been a mere vision, impressed upon his mind in sleep, or it may have been actually brought to him by a spiritual messenger, whom he could dimly see, and whose voice he was privileged to hear. Modern pseudo-science pronounces such seeing and hearing to be impossible. But poets are often clearer-sighted than scientists, and Shakespeare utters a pregnant truth when he says -

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Verse 12. - Now a thing was secretly brought to me; rather, a word (or, a message) was brought to me stealthily. And mine ear received a little thereof; rather, a whisper thereof (see the Revised Version, and comp. Job 26:14, and the Vulgate, which gives susurrus). As the form of the vision was not distinct to Eliphaz's eyes (ver. 16), so neither were the words which were uttered distinct to his ears. He thinks himself able, however, to give the sense of them (see vers. 17-21).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Now a word
דָּבָ֣ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

came to me
וְ֭אֵלַי (wə·’ê·lay)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

secretly;
יְגֻנָּ֑ב (yə·ḡun·nāḇ)
Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive

my ears
אָ֝זְנִ֗י (’ā·zə·nî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

caught
וַתִּקַּ֥ח (wat·tiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a whisper
שֵׁ֣מֶץ (šê·meṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8102: An inkling

of it.
מֶֽנְהֽוּ׃ (men·hū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of


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OT Poetry: Job 4:12 Now a thing was secretly brought (Jb)