Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “A word was secretly brought to me, my ears caught a whisper of it. New Living Translation “This truth was given to me in secret, as though whispered in my ear. English Standard Version “Now a word was brought to me stealthily; my ear received the whisper of it. Berean Standard Bible Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it. King James Bible Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof. New King James Version “Now a word was secretly brought to me, And my ear received a whisper of it. New American Standard Bible “Now a word was brought to me secretly, And my ear received a whisper of it. NASB 1995 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it. NASB 1977 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it. Legacy Standard Bible “Now a word was brought to me stealthily, And my ear received a whisper of it. Amplified Bible “Now a word was secretly brought to me, And my ear received a whisper of it. Christian Standard Bible A word was brought to me in secret; my ears caught a whisper of it. Holman Christian Standard Bible A word was brought to me in secret; my ears caught a whisper of it. American Standard Version Now a thing was secretly brought to me, And mine ear received a whisper thereof. Contemporary English Version A secret was told to me in a faint whisper-- English Revised Version Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof. GOD'S WORD® Translation "I was told something secretly and heard something whispered in my ear. Good News Translation Once a message came quietly, so quietly I could hardly hear it. International Standard Version "A message was confided to me; my ear caught a whisper of it. NET Bible "Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear caught a whisper of it. New Heart English Bible "Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it. Webster's Bible Translation Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a small sound of it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it. World English Bible “Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd a thing is secretly brought to me, "" And my ear receives a little of it. Young's Literal Translation And unto me a thing is secretly brought, And receive doth mine ear a little of it. Smith's Literal Translation And a word shall be brought to me by stealth, and mine ear will take a transient sound from it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow there was a word spoken to me in private, and my ears by stealth as it were received the veins of its whisper. Catholic Public Domain Version Furthermore, a word was spoken to me in secret, and, as if by theft, my ears received the pulse of its whisper. New American Bible A word was stealthily brought to me, my ear caught a whisper of it. New Revised Standard Version “Now a word came stealing to me, my ear received the whisper of it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a little of it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And to me an answer was given, and my ear received as a little from him OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now a word was secretly brought to me, And mine ear received a whisper thereof. Brenton Septuagint Translation But if there had been any truth in thy words, none of these evils would have befallen thee. Shall not mine ear receive excellent revelations from him? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper…11The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. 12Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it. 13In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men,… Cross References 1 Kings 19:12 After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. Daniel 2:19 During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven Numbers 12:6 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. Genesis 15:1 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.” Isaiah 6:8 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!” Jeremiah 23:28 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. Ezekiel 1:3 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. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. Psalm 25:14 The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them. Proverbs 3:32 for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright. Matthew 1:20 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. Matthew 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. Luke 1:11-20 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. ... Acts 10:10-16 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. ... Acts 16:9 During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Treasury of Scripture Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a little thereof. a thing. Psalm 62:11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. secretly. 1 Corinthians 13:12 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. Jump to Previous Caught Ear Ears Little Receive Received Secretly Small Sound Stealthily Thereof Whisper WordJump to Next Caught Ear Ears Little Receive Received Secretly Small Sound Stealthily Thereof Whisper WordJob 4 1. Eliphaz reproves Job that the innocent do not suffer7. He teaches God's judgments to be not for the righteous, but for the wicked. 12. His fearful vision to humble the excellency of creatures before God. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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 of Isaiah 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 in Job 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. summary Job 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 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, Hebrew Now a wordדָּבָ֣ר (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 Links Job 4:12 NIVJob 4:12 NLT Job 4:12 ESV Job 4:12 NASB Job 4:12 KJV Job 4:12 BibleApps.com Job 4:12 Biblia Paralela Job 4:12 Chinese Bible Job 4:12 French Bible Job 4:12 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Job 4:12 Now a thing was secretly brought (Jb) |