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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 4:12 Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/4-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/18_Job_04_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 4:12 - Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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my ear received the whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Now a word was secretly brought to me, And my ear received a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Now a word was brought to me secretly, And my ear received a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Now a word was secretly brought to me, And my ear received a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A word was brought to me in secret; my ears caught a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A word was brought to me in secret; my ears caught a whisper of it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now a thing was secretly brought to me, And mine ear received a whisper thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A secret was told to me in a faint whisper--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"I was told something secretly and heard something whispered in my ear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Once a message came quietly, so quietly I could hardly hear it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"A message was confided to me; my ear caught a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear caught a whisper of it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a small sound of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And a thing is secretly brought to me, "" And my ear receives a little of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And unto me a thing is secretly brought, And receive doth mine ear a little of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And a word shall be brought to me by stealth, and mine ear will take a transient sound from it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now there was a word spoken to me in private, and my ears by stealth as it were received the veins of its whisper. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Furthermore, a word was spoken to me in secret, and, as if by theft, my ears received the pulse of its whisper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A word was stealthily brought to me, my ear caught a whisper of it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Now a word came stealing to me, my ear received the whisper of it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a little of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And to me an answer was given, and my ear received as a little from him<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now a word was secretly brought to me, And mine ear received a whisper thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But if there had been any truth in thy words, none of these evils would have befallen thee. Shall not mine ear receive excellent <i>revelations</i> from him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/4-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=605" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/4.htm">Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: dā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">Now a word</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’ê·lay (Conj-w:: Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">came to me</a> <a href="/hebrew/1589.htm" title="1589: yə·ḡun·nāḇ (V-Pual-Imperf-3ms) -- To steal. A primitive root; to thieve; by implication, to deceive.">secretly;</a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: ’ā·zə·nî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear.">my ears</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wat·tiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">caught</a> <a href="/hebrew/8102.htm" title="8102: šê·meṣ (N-ms) -- A whisper. From an unused root meaning to emit a sound; an inkling.">a whisper</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: men·hū (Prep:: 3ms) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">of it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-12.htm">1 Kings 19:12</a></span><br />After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-19.htm">Daniel 2:19</a></span><br />During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6</a></span><br />He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1</a></span><br />After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-8.htm">Isaiah 6:8</a></span><br />Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-28.htm">Jeremiah 23:28</a></span><br />Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/1-3.htm">Ezekiel 1:3</a></span><br />the word of the LORD came directly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Kebar. And there the LORD’s hand was upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/3-7.htm">Amos 3:7</a></span><br />Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/25-14.htm">Psalm 25:14</a></span><br />The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-32.htm">Proverbs 3:32</a></span><br />for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20</a></span><br />But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12</a></span><br />And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-11.htm">Luke 1:11-20</a></span><br />Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. / When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. / But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-10.htm">Acts 10:10-16</a></span><br />He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. / He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. / It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Acts 16:9</a></span><br />During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a little thereof.</p><p class="hdg">a thing.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/62-11.htm">Psalm 62:11</a></b></br> God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power <i>belongeth</i> unto God.</p><p class="hdg">secretly.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/13-12.htm">1 Corinthians 13:12</a></b></br> For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/22-9.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-30.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/job/3-18.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/esther/3-13.htm">Little</a> <a href="/job/3-12.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/job/2-10.htm">Received</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-9.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/job/3-19.htm">Small</a> <a href="/job/3-7.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/luke/17-20.htm">Stealthily</a> <a href="/job/3-9.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-12.htm">Whisper</a> <a href="/job/4-2.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/28-7.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/job/9-16.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/job/4-16.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/job/19-18.htm">Little</a> <a href="/job/22-22.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/job/15-18.htm">Received</a> <a href="/job/13-10.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/job/8-7.htm">Small</a> <a href="/job/6-13.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Stealthily</a> <a href="/job/4-16.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/job/26-14.htm">Whisper</a> <a href="/job/5-8.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Job 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/4-1.htm">Eliphaz reproves Job that the innocent do not suffer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/4-7.htm">He teaches God's judgments to be not for the righteous, but for the wicked.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/4-12.htm">His fearful vision to humble the excellency of creatures before God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now a word came to me secretly;</b><br>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 <a href="/1_kings/19-12.htm">1 Kings 19:12</a>, 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 <a href="/proverbs/25-2.htm">Proverbs 25:2</a>.<p><b>my ears caught a whisper of it.</b><br>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 <a href="/psalms/46-10.htm">Psalm 46:10</a>, "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 (<a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Matthew 13:10-17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/eliphaz_the_temanite.htm">Eliphaz the Temanite</a></b><br>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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>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.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/teman.htm">Teman</a></b><br>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.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_whisper.htm">The Whisper</a></b><br>Represents the subtle and mysterious way in which divine or spiritual insights can be communicated to humans, often requiring discernment and reflection.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vision.htm">The Vision</a></b><br>Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, Eliphaz later describes a vision that accompanies this whisper, suggesting a supernatural encounter.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_divine_communication.htm">The Nature of Divine Communication</a></b><br>God often communicates in subtle ways that require attentiveness and spiritual sensitivity. We must cultivate a quiet heart to hear His whispers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_spiritual_experiences.htm">Discernment in Spiritual Experiences</a></b><br>Not every spiritual experience or insight is from God. We must test and discern the source of such revelations, aligning them with Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_friends_in_times_of_suffering.htm">The Role of Friends in Times of Suffering</a></b><br>Like Eliphaz, friends may offer insights during our trials. However, we must weigh their words carefully, ensuring they align with God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility_in_wisdom.htm">The Importance of Humility in Wisdom</a></b><br>Eliphaz's approach reminds us that wisdom should be shared with humility, recognizing our limited understanding of God's ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_wisdom.htm">Seeking God's Wisdom</a></b><br>We should actively seek God's wisdom through prayer and Scripture, being open to His guidance in unexpected ways.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_a_reason_for_everything.htm">Is there a reason for everything?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_hebrews_4_12_be_proven_historically.htm">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?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_withhold_clarity,_then_blame.htm">(Deut 29:4) Why would God withhold understanding and clarity from His people, then hold them responsible for disobedience?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_being_spiritual.htm">How does Satan tempt individuals?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Now a thing.</span>--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.<p><span class= "bld">Secretly brought to me.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">was stolen for me. </span>Joseph uses the same expression of himself in <a href="/genesis/40-15.htm" title="For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.">Genesis 40:15</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Mine ear received a little, </span>compared with the inexhaustible resources remaining unrevealed. The word used for <span class= "ital">little </span>is only found once again, and in the mouth of Job (<a href="/job/26-14.htm" title="See, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?">Job 26:14</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 12-21.</span> - 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 (<a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24</a>), to Abimelech (<a href="/genesis/20-6.htm">Genesis 20:6</a>), to the Pharaoh of the time of Joseph (<a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Genesis 41:1-7</a>), to his chief butler (<a href="/genesis/40-9.htm">Genesis 40:9-11</a>), and his chief baker (<a href="/genesis/40-16.htm">Genesis 40:16, 17</a>), to Balaam the son of Beer (<a href="/numbers/22-12.htm">Numbers 22:12, 20</a>; <a href="/numbers/23-5.htm">Numbers 23:5-10, 16-24</a>; <a href="/numbers/24-3.htm">Numbers 24:3-9, 15-24</a>), to Nebuchadnezzar (<a href="/daniel/2-28.htm">Daniel 2:28-35</a>; <a href="/daniel/4-1.htm">Daniel 4:1-32</a>), 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 - <p><span class="accented">"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,<br />Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Now a thing was secretly brought to me</span>; rather, <span class="accented">a word</span> (or, <span class="accented">a message</span>) <span class="accented">was brought to me stealthily. <span class="cmt_word"></span>And mine ear received a little thereof</span>; rather, a <span class="accented">whisper</span> thereof (see the Revised Version, and comp. <a href="/job/26-14.htm">Job 26:14</a>, and the Vulgate, which gives <span class="accented">susurrus</span>). 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). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/4-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now a word</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּבָ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came to me</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֭אֵלַי</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ê·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">secretly;</span><br /><span class="heb">יְגֻנָּ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḡun·nāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1589.htm">Strong's 1589: </a> </span><span class="str2">To thieve, to deceive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my ears</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֝זְנִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·zə·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_241.htm">Strong's 241: </a> </span><span class="str2">Broadness, the ear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">caught</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתִּקַּ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a whisper</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁ֣מֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(šê·meṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8102.htm">Strong's 8102: </a> </span><span class="str2">An inkling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of it.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶֽנְהֽוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(men·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/4-12.htm">OT Poetry: Job 4:12 Now a thing was secretly brought (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/4-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 4:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 4:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/4-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 4:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 4:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>