In thoughts from the visions of the night
While Eliphaz was thinking of and meditating upon divine things, or while he was revolving in his mind some night visions he had, before this was made unto him, see ( Daniel 2:29 ) ; in meditation the Lord is often pleased to make known more of his mind and will to his people; and this is one way in which he was wont to do it in former times, in a vision either in the day, as sometimes, or in the night, as at others, and as here, see ( Numbers 12:6 ) ;
when deep sleep falleth on men;
on sorrowful men, as Mr. Broughton renders it; such who have been laborious all the day, and getting their bread with sorrow and trouble, and are weary; who as soon as they lie down fall asleep, and sleep falls on them, and to such it is sweet, as the wise man says, ( Ecclesiastes 5:12 ) ; now it was at such a time when men ordinarily and commonly are asleep that this vision was had.