Job 4:12

Job 4:12 introduces a pivotal moment in the first speech of Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's three friends. In this verse, Eliphaz begins to recount a profound, mysterious experience he had, which he then uses to bolster his theological argument against Job. He describes it as a private, almost clandestine communication, emphasizing its secret and partial nature, building suspense for the revelation that follows.

Context

This verse is found within Eliphaz's initial response to Job's lamentations (Job 3). As the first friend to speak, Eliphaz aims to comfort Job but quickly shifts to defending God's justice, implying that Job's immense suffering must be a consequence of sin. To lend authority to his assertion that no human can be truly righteous before God, Eliphaz introduces this personal, awe-inspiring vision. The "thing" he refers to is a terrifying spiritual encounter, detailed in the subsequent verses (Job 4:13-16), which culminates in his argument about the impurity of humanity compared to God (Job 4:17-19).

Key Themes

• Divine Communication and Revelation: Eliphaz claims to have received a message from a spiritual source, highlighting the ancient belief in God or spiritual beings communicating with humans, often through visions or dreams.
• Mysterious and Awe-Inspiring Encounters: The description of the message being "secretly brought" and only "a little thereof" received emphasizes the enigmatic and unsettling nature of the experience. It evokes a sense of awe and reverence, intended to validate the wisdom Eliphaz is about to share.
• The Source of Authority: Eliphaz uses this claimed divine insight to lend weight and irrefutability to his arguments, presenting his perspective as divinely sanctioned truth. This raises questions about how personal experiences are interpreted and applied to others.
• Human Frailty: The vision, as elaborated by Eliphaz, ultimately serves to underscore the vast chasm between the perfect, holy nature of God and the inherent fallibility and impurity of humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "secretly brought" translates the Hebrew word גָּנַב (*ganav*), which literally means "to steal" or "to bring stealthily." This suggests a quiet, unannounced, or even hidden delivery of the message, rather than an open declaration. The phrase "received a little thereof" comes from the Hebrew שֶׁמֶץ (*shemets*), which can mean a whisper, a faint sound, or a mere fragment. This emphasizes that Eliphaz did not receive a full, clear pronouncement, but rather a partial, perhaps indistinct, impression, adding to the mystery and the sense of something profound yet not fully grasped.

Practical Application

Job 4:12 offers several points for reflection:

• Discernment of Spiritual Messages: Eliphaz's experience reminds us that not all profound spiritual encounters or "revelations" are necessarily accurate interpretations of God's will, especially when used to judge others. Believers are called to "test the spirits whether they are of God."
• The Danger of Personal Experience as Universal Truth: While personal spiritual experiences can be transformative, Eliphaz's error was in using his private vision to form a rigid theological framework that condemned Job. It highlights the caution needed when applying individual encounters as universal truths or using them to explain others' suffering.
• The Mystery of God: The verse also speaks to the profound and sometimes mysterious ways God can communicate. Even a "little" insight into His character or purposes can be awe-inspiring and deeply impactful, though often not fully comprehensible to human minds.