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 inPsalm 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).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Eliphaz the TemaniteOne 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.
JobThe 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.
TemanA 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 WhisperRepresents the subtle and mysterious way in which divine or spiritual insights can be communicated to humans, often requiring discernment and reflection.
5.
The VisionAlthough not explicitly mentioned in this verse, Eliphaz later describes a vision that accompanies this whisper, suggesting a supernatural encounter.
Teaching Points
The Nature of Divine CommunicationGod often communicates in subtle ways that require attentiveness and spiritual sensitivity. We must cultivate a quiet heart to hear His whispers.
Discernment in Spiritual ExperiencesNot 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 SufferingLike 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 WisdomEliphaz's approach reminds us that wisdom should be shared with humility, recognizing our limited understanding of God's ways.
Seeking God's WisdomWe should actively seek God's wisdom through prayer and Scripture, being open to His guidance in unexpected ways.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 4:12?
2.How does Job 4:12 illustrate the importance of listening for God's guidance?
3.What can we learn about divine revelation from Job 4:12?
4.How does Job 4:12 connect with other instances of God's whispers in Scripture?
5.In what ways can we discern God's voice in our daily lives?
6.How can Job 4:12 encourage us to seek God's wisdom in difficult times?
7.What is the significance of divine revelation in Job 4:12?
8.How does Job 4:12 challenge our understanding of God's communication with humans?
9.What does Job 4:12 reveal about the nature of spiritual insight?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 4?
11.Is there a reason for everything?
12.Hebrews 4:12 describes God's word as 'living and active.' Is there any historical or empirical way to substantiate this claim, or does it rely solely on faith?
13.(Deut 29:4) Why would God withhold understanding and clarity from His people, then hold them responsible for disobedience?
14.How does Satan tempt individuals?What Does Job 4:12 Mean
Now a word• Eliphaz introduces the event as a genuine “word,” presenting it as divine revelation, much like the prophetic formula “the word of the LORD came” (Jeremiah 1:4;Ezekiel 3:16).
• Scripture affirms that God has often spoken through chosen messengers (Hebrews 1:1;2 Peter 1:21). Eliphaz is claiming a similar authority.
• At the same time, the wider narrative reminds us that not every claimed revelation is sound—God later says Eliphaz “has not spoken rightly” (Job 42:7). The verse is therefore recorded accurately, yet discerning readers must weigh it against the fullness of God’s revelation.
Came to me• The wording stresses personal reception: the message was not general but directed to Eliphaz himself, echoing individual callings like Samuel’s (1 Samuel 3:10) or Isaiah’s (Isaiah 6:8).
• Personal encounters with God can shape one’s theology deeply, for better or worse. Eliphaz’s confidence rests in his experience, but experience must always be tested by clear truth (1 John 4:1).
Secretly• “Secretly” (or “in secret”) conveys privacy and mystery (Psalm 25:14;Proverbs 3:32).
• Genuine revelations can occur in quiet settings (Matthew 6:6), yet secrecy can also cloak error. This tension prepares the reader to evaluate what follows rather than accept it uncritically.
My ears caught• Eliphaz emphasizes careful listening, reminiscent ofIsaiah 50:4—“He awakens My ear to listen.”
• Scripture encourages attentive hearing (Mark 4:24), but hearing alone doesn’t guarantee right interpretation (James 1:22).
• The phrase invites us to consider whether we, too, are tuned to God’s voice through His written Word.
A whisper of it• The message came as a “whisper,” paralleling the “still small voice” Elijah heard (1 Kings 19:12) and the faint hints of God’s ways described later inJob 26:14.
• God sometimes speaks softly to draw humble hearts, yet whispers can also be misunderstood or misapplied.
• In Eliphaz’s case, the whisper led to a partial, performance-based theology—that suffering is always the result of sin—which the book of Job ultimately overturns.
summaryJob 4:12 records Eliphaz’s claim of a secret revelation: a personal, quiet word he believes came from God. The verse teaches that (1) God does speak, often softly and personally; (2) listeners must be attentive; but (3) every claimed message must be judged by the full counsel of Scripture, because even sincerely reported experiences can be flawed.
(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 inGenesis 40:15.
Mine ear received a little,compared with the inexhaustible resources remaining unrevealed. The word used forlittleis 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, awhisper thereof (see the Revised Version, and comp.Job 26:14, and the Vulgate, which givessusurrus). 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 ...
Hebrew
Now a wordדָּבָ֣ר(dā·ḇār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causecame to meוְ֭אֵלַי(wə·’ê·lay)Conjunctive waw | Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tosecretly;יְגֻנָּ֑ב(yə·ḡun·nāḇ)Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1589:To thieve, to deceivemy earsאָ֝זְנִ֗י(’ā·zə·nî)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 241:Broadness, the earcaughtוַתִּקַּ֥ח(wat·tiq·qaḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947:To takea whisperשֵׁ֣מֶץ(šê·meṣ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8102:An inklingof it.מֶֽנְהֽוּ׃(men·hū)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out of
Links
Job 4:12 NIVJob 4:12 NLTJob 4:12 ESVJob 4:12 NASBJob 4:12 KJV
Job 4:12 BibleApps.comJob 4:12 Biblia ParalelaJob 4:12 Chinese BibleJob 4:12 French BibleJob 4:12 Catholic Bible
OT Poetry: Job 4:12 Now a thing was secretly brought (Jb) 
