Job 4:13

KJV

In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,

KJV (with Strong's)

In thoughts {H5587} from the visions {H2384} of the night {H3915}, when deep sleep {H8639} falleth {H5307} on men {H582},

Complete Jewish Bible

In passing thoughts flashing through visions at night, when sleep lies heavy on people,

Berean Standard Bible

In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men,

American Standard Version

In thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falleth on men,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 4:13 serves as the dramatic prelude to Eliphaz the Temanite's initial counsel to Job, presenting his forthcoming arguments as the direct result of a profound, divinely-orchestrated nocturnal vision. This verse establishes a somber and awe-inspiring atmosphere, detailing the state of "deep sleep" and the "thoughts from the visions of the night" that preceded Eliphaz's perceived revelation. By framing his message in this manner, Eliphaz seeks to imbue his (ultimately flawed) theological explanation for Job's suffering with an undeniable sense of divine authority and truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 4:13 marks a pivotal moment in the book, initiating the first of Job's friends' responses after Job's anguished lament in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job's Lament"). Following seven days of silent mourning, Eliphaz, the eldest and seemingly most respected of the friends, breaks the silence with a claim of special divine insight. This verse functions as a powerful rhetorical device, designed to lend an air of irrefutable authority to his ensuing discourse. The content of his terrifying vision, elaborated in [Job 4:14-17](/job/4-14-17 "Eliphaz's Terrifying Vision"), is presented as the foundation for his theological framework, which posits that suffering is a direct consequence of sin. This sets up a crucial tension with Job's own experience and his unwavering assertion of innocence, highlighting the fundamental conflict between a rigid, traditional theology and the complex reality of human suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, dreams and visions were widely accepted as legitimate and potent channels through which deities communicated with humanity. Individuals, ranging from prophets and kings to ordinary people, often sought or received divine guidance and revelation during nocturnal experiences. The concept of a "deep sleep" (Hebrew: *tardêmâh*) was particularly significant, understood not as mere slumber but as a divinely induced trance-like state conducive to profound spiritual encounters. This is evident in biblical narratives such as Adam's deep sleep before the creation of Eve in [Genesis 2:21](/genesis/2-21 "Adam's Deep Sleep") and Abraham's covenant vision in [Genesis 15:12](/genesis/15-12 "Abraham's Deep Sleep and Covenant Vision"). Eliphaz, identified as a "Temanite," likely hailed from the region of Teman, a city in Edom renowned for its wisdom traditions (cf. [Jeremiah 49:7](/jeremiah/49-7 "Edom's Wisdom and Destruction")). His appeal to a personal, divinely-given vision would have resonated deeply within this cultural milieu, serving as a powerful means to establish the veracity and divine origin of his message in the eyes of his listeners.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces and reinforces several foundational themes woven throughout the book of Job. Firstly, it foregrounds the theme of **divine revelation**, exploring the various ways God communicates with humanity, but also subtly raising questions about the potential for human misinterpretation or misuse of such encounters. Secondly, it addresses the crucial theme of the **source of authority** in theological discourse; Eliphaz explicitly claims divine inspiration, contrasting sharply with Job's reliance on his lived experience of suffering and his direct, impassioned appeals to God. Thirdly, and most significantly, Job 4:13 sets the stage for the **retribution theology**—the belief that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin—that Job's friends vehemently espouse. Eliphaz's interpretation of his vision reinforces this flawed theological premise, which the subsequent narrative of the book will systematically challenge and ultimately dismantle. The terrifying nature of the vision, as described by Eliphaz, also subtly foreshadows the friends' limited and fear-based understanding of God's complex character and ways, especially when contrasted with God's direct, awe-inspiring address to Job in [Job 38](/job/38 "God's First Speech to Job").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thoughts (Hebrew, _çâʻiph'_):** This word (H5587) stems from a root meaning "divided (in mind)," and abstractly refers to a "sentiment" or "opinion." In this context, it suggests Eliphaz's mental state was not one of calm repose but perhaps of deep contemplation, anxiety, or even internal conflict before the vision. This indicates a pre-existing mental preoccupation that may have influenced his perception or, more importantly, his subsequent interpretation of the revelation he received.
* **Visions (Hebrew, _chizzâyôwn'_):** Derived from the root "to see" (H2384), this term denotes a "revelation" or "expectation by dream," specifically a prophetic or divine vision. It implies a supernatural encounter that transcends ordinary dreams, emphasizing the solemnity and perceived authority of the experience Eliphaz recounts. While the English "visions" is plural, the Hebrew root points to a singular, profound revelatory encounter that likely comprised multiple elements or impressions.
* **Deep sleep (Hebrew, _tardêmâh'_):** This term (H8639) signifies more than common slumber; it describes a "lethargy" or "trance," a divinely induced, profound stupor. This specific word is consistently used in the Old Testament for significant, God-ordained moments of revelation or supernatural intervention (e.g., [Genesis 2:21](/genesis/2-21 "Adam's Deep Sleep and the Creation of Eve"); [Genesis 15:12](/genesis/15-12 "Abraham's Deep Sleep and Covenant Vision")). Its presence here underscores Eliphaz's conviction that his experience was not a mundane dream but a weighty, God-orchestrated revelation, lending it an air of solemnity and divine authority in his own estimation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In thoughts from the visions of the night":** Eliphaz is establishing the origin of his profound insight and the basis for his impending counsel. He asserts that his "thoughts" or sentiments are not merely his own human reasoning but are derived from specific, intense, and perhaps disturbing "visions" experienced during the darkness of night. This phrase implies a comprehensive and impactful encounter that left a lasting impression on his mind, shaping the theological conclusions he is about to present to Job.
* **"when deep sleep falleth on men":** This clause specifies the extraordinary condition under which these visions occurred. The "deep sleep" (*tardêmâh*) signifies a state of heightened spiritual receptivity, a divinely induced trance where ordinary human senses are subdued, allowing for a direct and unhindered spiritual encounter. This detail serves to validate the extraordinary nature of Eliphaz's experience, lending it an air of solemnity and undeniable divine authority from his perspective, setting his words apart from mere human opinion.

#### Literary Devices
Job 4:13 masterfully employs **Atmosphere/Mood Setting** and **Foreshadowing**. Eliphaz's description of a profound, divinely-induced "deep sleep" and "visions of the night" immediately establishes an eerie, solemn, and authoritative atmosphere for his impending speech. This dramatic opening is strategically designed to command attention and imbue his words with an almost sacred weight, suggesting they are not mere human opinion but divinely inspired truth. Furthermore, the unsettling nature implied by "thoughts from the visions" and the subsequent terrifying content of his vision (described in [Job 4:14-17](/job/4-14-17 "Eliphaz's Terrifying Vision")) serves as **Foreshadowing**. It subtly hints that the "wisdom" Eliphaz is about to impart, though presented as divine, will be unsettling, fear-inducing, and ultimately unhelpful, if not harmful, to Job's suffering. The verse also subtly employs **Juxtaposition**, contrasting Job's raw, human lament with Eliphaz's claims of detached, divine revelation, thereby setting up a central tension in the book regarding the nature of suffering and divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 4:13 introduces the critical theme of how individuals receive and interpret divine revelation, and the profound implications of such interpretations. Eliphaz, believing he has received a direct word from God, uses this experience to justify his rigid theological framework, which ultimately misrepresents God's character and condemns Job. This highlights the biblical emphasis on discernment, reminding us that even genuine spiritual experiences must be weighed against the full counsel of God's revealed truth and His consistent character as revealed in Scripture. The verse also implicitly raises questions about the nature of true wisdom—whether it comes from personal experience, tradition, or direct revelation, and how these sources are to be integrated responsibly and compassionately.

* [Genesis 15:12](/genesis/15-12 "Abraham's Covenant Vision")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "Test the Spirits")
* [Jeremiah 23:25-28](/jeremiah/23-25-28 "False Prophets and Dreams")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Eliphaz's account in Job 4:13 serves as a powerful reminder of the human tendency to seek divine validation for our pre-conceived notions, especially when attempting to explain complex suffering. While God does communicate through various means, including dreams and visions, this verse cautions us against uncritically accepting or imposing personal spiritual experiences as universal divine truth, particularly when such interpretations lead to judgment or condemnation of others. It compels us to cultivate humility in our theological assertions and to prioritize compassion and empathy, especially when ministering to those in distress. True wisdom, unlike Eliphaz's, does not seek to explain away suffering with simplistic formulas, but rather to enter into it with grace and truth, always testing our "revelations" against the consistent character of a loving and just God as revealed in His Word. We are called to be careful stewards of truth, discerning between what is genuinely from God and what might be a mixture of divine encounter and human bias.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between a genuine spiritual insight and my own thoughts or biases?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to use a personal experience or a perceived "revelation" to justify a judgment or opinion about someone else's suffering?**
* **What is the role of humility when offering counsel or theological explanations, especially in sensitive situations?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of how God speaks today, and how I should respond to such perceived communication?**

### FAQ

**Did God truly speak to Eliphaz in this vision, or was it merely his own imagination?**

Answer: The text indicates that Eliphaz genuinely believed he experienced a profound, divinely-induced vision. The use of the term *tardêmâh* ("deep sleep") often signifies a supernatural, God-ordained trance in the Old Testament, suggesting that Eliphaz's experience was indeed extraordinary and not merely an ordinary dream. However, the crucial point of the book of Job is not the authenticity of Eliphaz's experience, but the *interpretation* he placed upon it. While God may have initiated the vision, Eliphaz's human theological framework (retribution theology) led him to misinterpret its meaning and apply it incorrectly to Job's innocent suffering. His "revelation" reinforced his flawed understanding of divine justice, demonstrating that even a genuine spiritual encounter requires careful discernment and must be weighed against God's broader character and truth, which the book of Job ultimately reveals through God's own words to Job in [Job 38](/job/38 "God's First Speech to Job").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 4:13, with Eliphaz's claim of a terrifying, authoritative night vision, stands in stark contrast to the ultimate and perfect revelation of God found in Jesus Christ. While Eliphaz's vision was partial, fear-inducing, and ultimately led to flawed counsel and condemnation, Christ is the full and final Word of God, the perfect embodiment of divine truth and grace. As [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "God's Final Word in Christ") powerfully declares, "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son." Unlike Eliphaz, who received a vision and then misinterpreted it to condemn a suffering friend, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly reveals the Father's heart of compassion and truth ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "No One Has Seen God; The Son Reveals Him")). He doesn't offer terrifying pronouncements from a distance but enters into human suffering, bearing its full weight on the cross. Where Eliphaz's "wisdom" brought fear and accusation, Christ offers rest for the weary and heavy-laden ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")), embodying the true, compassionate, and redemptive wisdom of God. He is the truth we can trust, the one who perfectly understands and addresses our suffering, not with condemnation but with grace and ultimate healing.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 33:14

¶ For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not.

Job 33:16

Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

Genesis 15:12

¶ And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

Genesis 2:21

¶ And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

Genesis 46:2

And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here [am] I.

Numbers 22:19

Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more.

Numbers 22:20

And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, [and] go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.