Job 4:12 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Now, 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 Job, or that this was a diabolical delusion, seems to be both uncharitable and unreasonable, partly because Eliphaz, though under a mistake concerning Job's case, was doubtless a wise and good man, and therefore would not needlessly make himself a liar for Job'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 men's 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 God's discovery of his mind to those that sought to him. A thing, Heb. a word, to wit, from God, as Proverbs 13:13, a doctrine or message. Was secretly brought to me, Heb. was stolen, 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 Samuel 9:15; and the like to Moses, so as Pharaoh, though present, could not hear nor observe it, Exodus 11:1, with a low and still voice, a secret whisper. This is opposed to the more public delivery of God's word by the prophets to the people, which was done by crying aloud, Isaiah 48:1. Mine ear received, i.e. I heard. A little thereof, or, a parcel thereof, i.e. of God's 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 God's 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 Corinthians 13:9. As if he had said, Many, I doubt not, 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.