And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job is grappling with the utter destruction of his body, yet his faith pierces through the decay, declaring he will see God from his flesh, not just in it. This subtle but profound shift suggests a vision of God not merely as a distant judge, but as intimately connected to his very being, even in its most broken state. It’s a radical affirmation of hope in a future vindication, transcending his present physical ruin.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Job's friends have been relentlessly accusing him, convinced his suffering is divine punishment for hidden sin. Job is desperately trying to defend his integrity, lamenting his state and the injustice he feels, but he clings to the belief that his Redeemer lives and will ultimately vindicate him. He's expressing a profound hope that even in the face of total physical decay and death, he will somehow see God.
Job's body is literally falling apart, a gruesome spectacle. Yet, he speaks of seeing God. How is this possible when his very being is being destroyed?
Job is experiencing a level of physical suffering that is almost unimaginable. His skin is diseased and breaking down, and he anticipates even further decay.
A Body Consumed
The language here is stark: "after my skin has been thus destroyed..." This isn't just a minor ailment; it's a complete breakdown of his physical form. He expects worms to consume what's left, a vivid image of utter decomposition.
The Astonishing Certainty
Despite this horrific reality, Job doesn't wallow in despair. Instead, he declares with unwavering conviction, "yet in my flesh I shall see God." This isn't a hopeful wish; it's a profound statement of faith. It reveals a deep trust that God is sovereign even over death and decay, and that personal encounter with Him is still possible.
Job insists he will see God 'in my flesh.' What does this specific phrasing mean in light of his desperate condition and his belief in a Redeemer?
The phrase 'in my flesh' (or 'from my flesh' in some translations) is key to understanding Job's hope. It points beyond his immediate, decaying body to a future, redeemed existence.
A Bodily Vision
Commentators suggest Job isn't talking about a spiritual or mental vision, but a corporeal one. He anticipates seeing God with actual, physical eyes. This implies a restoration or resurrection of his body.
Ask a follow-up
The Role of the Redeemer
This hope is intrinsically linked to his declaration in the previous verse: 'I know that my Redeemer lives.' Job believes his kinsman-redeemer will ultimately stand on the earth. This Redeemer, God Himself in human form, is the one Job trusts will enable this future, bodily encounter with God, even after death and burial.
Understand the original words
ʿôr · Hebrew Noun
The physical covering of a human body, often used in Scripture to represent the outer man, vulnerability, or the temporary nature of human life.
bāśār · Hebrew Noun
The physical material substance of the human body. In this context, it emphasizes the literal, bodily reality of future resurrection and personal encounter with the Divine.
ʾĕlôah · Hebrew Noun
The Creator and Sovereign of the universe, the covenant God of Israel who is holy, righteous, and the ultimate judge.
Job's defiant declaration of seeing God in his flesh, despite unimaginable suffering and the brink of death, resonates powerfully against the backdrop of national trauma and exile. It offers a radical hope, not just for personal vindication, but for a future encounter with God that transcends physical decay and present despair.
c. 2100 BC
Abrahamic Covenant Established
God establishes a foundational covenant with Abraham, promising land, descendants, and blessing to nations through him.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are delivered from slavery in Egypt, marking a pivotal moment of divine intervention and national formation.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Flourishes
The united monarchy under King David reaches its zenith, establishing Jerusalem as the capital and setting the stage for temple construction.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of its people and the scattering of the ten tribes.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
The Southern Kingdom of Judah is conquered by Babylon, its Temple destroyed, and its people exiled, a profound crisis for their identity and faith.
c. 400 BC— this verse
The Book of Job Written
The wisdom literature of Job is composed, likely reflecting on the trauma of exile and the profound suffering of the righteous, with Job's lament and declaration of faith as a central piece.
This passage directly follows God's appearance to Job, showing Job's own testimony that after his suffering and questioning, he sees God face-to-face, fulfilling the anticipation in Job 19:26.
Psalm 17:15This psalm echoes Job's longing, expressing a similar hope to 'behold God's form' when awakened, highlighting the deep human desire for divine encounter even amidst life's troubles.
1 Corinthians 15:50-57Paul's explanation of the resurrection transforms Job's hope. He clarifies that while the physical body 'cannot inherit the kingdom of God,' believers will be given a transformed, spiritual body, making Job's 'in my flesh I shall see God' a reality through resurrection.
Philippians 3:20-21This passage speaks of Christ's power to transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body, directly connecting to Job's deep trust that even in his ravaged flesh, he would see God, implying a future restoration and divine encounter.
Daniel 12:2Daniel's prophecy explicitly states that many 'who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,' offering a clear Old Testament parallel to Job's astounding declaration of seeing God even after his physical body has been destroyed and returned to dust.
barnesJob 19:26: "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"
And though - Margin, Or, after I shall awake, though this body be destroyed, yet out of my flesh shall I see God. This verse has given not less perplexity than the preceding. Noyes renders it, And though with this skin this body be wasted away, Yet in my flesh shall I see God. Dr. Good renders it, And, after the disease hath destroyed my skin, That in my flesh I shall see God. Rosenmuller explains it…
bensonJob 19:26: "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:"
Job 19:26. And though after my skin, &c. — The style of this and other poetical books of the Scripture is concise and short, and therefore many words are to be understood in some places to complete the sense. The meaning here is, Though my skin be now, in a great measure, consumed by sores, and the rest of it, together with this body, shall be devoured by worms, which may seem to make my case quite d…
Job is grappling with the utter destruction of his body, yet his faith pierces through the decay, declaring he will see God from his flesh, not just in it. This subtle but profound shift suggests a vision of God not merely as a distant judge, but as intimately connected to his very being, even in its most broken state. It’s a radical affirmation of hope in a future vindication, transcending his present physical ruin.
Job's friends have been relentlessly accusing him, convinced his suffering is divine punishment for hidden sin. Job is desperately trying to defend his integrity, lamenting his state and the injustice he feels, but he clings to the belief that his Redeemer lives and will ultimately vindicate him. He's expressing a profound hope that even in the face of total physical decay and death, he will somehow see God.
Job's friends have been relentlessly accusing him, convinced his suffering is divine punishment for hidden sin. Job is desperately trying to defend his integrity, lamenting his state and the injustice he feels, but he clings to the belief that his Redeemer lives and will ultimately vindicate him. He's expressing a profound hope that even in the face of total physical decay and death, he will somehow see God.
"And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God," — Job is grappling with the utter destruction of his body, yet his faith pierces through the decay, declaring he will see God from his flesh, not just in it. This subtle but profound shift suggests…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026