Charles Ellicott Commentary Job 4:12

"Now a thing was secretly brought to me, And mine ear received a whisper thereof." — Job 4:12 (ASV)

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).