Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 4:12

12. Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine Ear received a little thereof.

Heb And, or, Moreover, I will further convince thee by a Vision which I had relating to such matters as these. That here follows a Relation of a Vision is apparent from the punctual description of all its Circumstances. To think as some do, that this was but a Fiction and Artifice which Eliphaz used, that his words might have more Authority with Iob; or that this was a Diabolical Delusion seems to be both uncharitable and unreasonable, partly because Eliphaz, though under a mistake concerning Iob's case, was doubtless a wise and good man, and therefore would not needlesly make himself a Lyar for Iob's Conviction; and partly from the matter of this Vision, which is no way suitable to the Nature or Designs of the Devil, but holy and agreeable to the Divine Majesty and purity, and useful for mens Instruction, and Humiliation, and Reformation. It was therefore a Divine Vision, which in that Age and State of the Church, before the holy Scriptures were written, was the usual way of Gods discovery of his Mind to those that sought to him.

Heb. A word, to wit, from God, as Prov. 13. 13. a Doctrine or Message.

Heb. was stoln, or brought by stealth into me, i. e. privately and secretly, as the word of God used to come to the Prophets, being spoken in their Ear, as it was to Samuel, 1 Sam. 9. 15. and the like to Moses, so as Pharaoh, though present, could not hear nor observe it, Exod. 11. 1. with a low and still voice, a secret Whisper. This is opposed to the more publick Delivery of Gods Word by the Prophets to the People, which was done by crying aloud, Isa. 58. 1.

i. e. I heard.

Or, a parcel thereof, i. e. of Gods word, not of that particular Word which God had now delivered to Eliphaz, which doubtless God would so speak, that he to whom he directed his Speech might hear it all, and Eliphaz certainly would be as careful not to lose a Syllable of it; but a parcel of Gods Word in General, which this indeed was. And withal this may be a modest and humble Expression, arising from a deep sense of his own Infirmity, and the small measure of his knowledge of divine things, whereof he knew only some little fragments and parcels, as Paul said, We know but in part, 1 Cor. 13. 9. As if he had said, Many I doubt have more familiar acquaintance with God, and more full Revelations from God than I can pretend to, but a little of that Treasure God hath been pleased to impart to me.

Marginal references: Heb. by stealth.