Does this passage refer to the concept of resurrection?

Job says, “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. ²⁶ Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26). Does this affirm the physical resurrection?

Consider this passage verse by verse:

“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives.” The Hebrew word for “Redeemer” (gāʾal) is the term used for the kinsman-redeemer spoken of throughout the Bible. The “Redeemer” could be human or divine. However, we agree with Alden^[1] and Andersen^[2] that there is “no doubt that the Redeemer is God.”

For one, Job was expecting God to advocate for him (Job 16:19; 17:3).

Second, no one around Job came to his defense, but God did play this role (chs. 38-42).

Third, the psalmist refers to God as our redeemer (Ps. 19:14) and so do the prophets (Isa. 43:1; 44:6; Jer. 50:34; Mic. 4:10).

Fourth, the context refers to the “Redeemer” living—even though Job is dying.

Fifth, some argue that Job believed he would be vindicated in this life. Thus, Job expected God (or another redeemer) to come while he was still alive. Yet, the context speaks against this (vv.23-24). Andersen writes, “There would be no need for Job to deposit a written testimony, if he expects to be vindicated before he dies.”^[3]

“Even after my skin is destroyed.” Job believes that he will be physically destroyed, and this is paralleled by the next verse.

“Yet from my flesh.” The term “from” could be understood as “in his flesh” (i.e. bodily resurrection) or “apart from” his flesh (i.e. spiritual existence). Smick writes, “In its text and margin, the NIV has given the two major possibilities. They are opposite in meaning. The margin ‘apart from my flesh’ (i.e., in the disembodied state) is at best a rare concept in the OT. In the next verse Job asserted he would see God with his own eyes (v.27). The preposition refers to the viewer’s vantage point: ‘from (within) my flesh I shall see God.’”^[4]

“Skin… flesh… eyes… heart.” Andersen writes, “The references to skin, flesh and eyes make it clear that Job expects to have this experience as a man, not just as a disembodied shade, or in his mind’s eye.”^[5]

“I shall see God.” Even if we set aside the issue of bodily resurrection, it is important to note what is not really debated: Job believed in some sort of afterlife where he would see God. Hebrew scholar Walter Kaiser writes, “One point on which everyone can agree is that Job expected to ‘see God,’ for he made the point three times. Nor did Job expect this visual experience to occur to a disembodied shade or ghost. His references to his skin, flesh and eyes make that abundantly plain. He even used the emphatic pronoun I three times in Job 19:27. It is clear that he expected personally to see God.”^[6]

Both Andersen and Alden don’t think that this proves a bodily resurrection. However, they do think it is consistent with such a view, and both believe it demonstrates a belief in life after death. Even though Job is filled with despair, this statement shines all the brighter. Alden concludes, “Diamonds are displayed best on black velvet.”^[7]

^[1] Footnote 103. Robert L. Alden, Job, vol. 11, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 207.

^[2] Francis I. Andersen, Job: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 14, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1976), 209.

^[3] Francis I. Andersen, Job: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 14, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1976), 210.

^[4] Elmer B. Smick, “Job,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 4 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1988), 944.

^[5] Francis I. Andersen, Job: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 14, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1976), 209.

^[6] Walter C. Kaiser Jr. et al., Hard Sayings of the Bible (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1996), 258.

^[7] Robert L. Alden, Job, vol. 11, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 209.