Job 19:27

KJV

Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; [though] my reins be consumed within me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whom I shall see {H2372} for myself, and mine eyes {H5869} shall behold {H7200}, and not another {H2114}; though my reins {H3629} be consumed {H3615} within {H2436} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will see him for myself, my eyes, not someone else's, will behold him. My heart grows weak inside me!

Berean Standard Bible

I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!

American Standard Version

Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 19:27 stands as a monumental declaration of unwavering faith and profound hope from the patriarch Job, uttered from the crucible of his most intense suffering. It is a deeply personal and undeniable future vision of God, articulating Job's conviction that he will personally witness his Redeemer, even as his physical and emotional being wastes away. This verse encapsulates a steadfast trust in ultimate vindication and a future, glorious encounter with the Divine, transcending the immediate despair and the accusations of his friends.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "third cycle" of dialogues between Job and his three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). At this juncture, Job has endured unimaginable physical agony, emotional desolation, and social ostracism, having lost his children, wealth, and health. His friends, operating under a rigid retribution theology, have relentlessly accused him of hidden sin as the cause of his calamities, offering condemnation rather than comfort. Job's words in [Job 19](/job/19 "Job 19 - Job's Hope in a Redeemer") represent a defiant and inspired outburst of faith, directly challenging his friends' limited understanding of divine justice. It immediately follows his famous declaration in [Job 19:25](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25 - Job's Declaration of a Living Redeemer"), "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth," and [Job 19:26](/job/19-26 "Job 19:26 - After My Skin Is Destroyed"), "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." Verse 27 intensifies this personal anticipation, emphasizing the direct, unmediated nature of this future vision, moving from a general statement of seeing God to a specific, personal affirmation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near Eastern context, explicit and detailed teaching on resurrection and an afterlife, particularly a personal bodily resurrection, was not as developed or widespread as it would become in later biblical revelation, especially in the New Testament. While glimpses of hope beyond death existed (e.g., in some Egyptian beliefs or nascent ideas in Israelite thought), Job's articulation of seeing God "in my flesh" and "for myself" is remarkably prophetic and singular for its time. The concept of "reins" (kidneys) as the seat of deepest emotions, conscience, and inner being was common in ancient Hebrew thought, alongside the heart. Thus, Job's reference to his "reins being consumed" highlights the profound inner anguish and physical decay he was experiencing, setting a stark contrast with his enduring spiritual hope. This cultural understanding amplifies the depth of his suffering and the extraordinary nature of his faith.
* **Key Themes:** Job 19:27 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **personal vindication and a direct vision of God**. Job's intense longing for a face-to-face encounter with his Creator and Redeemer is not merely a theological concept but a profound desire for personal justice and affirmation, a theme echoed in the ultimate resolution of the book when God finally speaks to Job in [Job 38-41](/job/38-41 "Job 38-41 - God's Speeches to Job"). Secondly, it powerfully articulates **hope beyond suffering and death**. Despite his extreme physical and emotional decay, Job clings to a steadfast hope in a future interaction with God, demonstrating that true spiritual hope can thrive even amidst utter desolation, a theme that resonates with the suffering of Christ and the hope of believers in [Romans 8:18](/romans/8-18 "Romans 8:18 - Suffering and Glory"). Thirdly, Job's words strongly imply an **anticipation of resurrection**, foreshadowing later biblical teachings on the [resurrection of the body](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") and the ultimate restoration of the believer, a foundational truth for Christian eschatology. Finally, this verse is a testament to **unwavering faith** in the face of overwhelming adversity, demonstrating that genuine faith endures even when God's ways are inscrutable and human understanding fails, providing a model for perseverance that inspires believers across generations, as seen in [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **See (Hebrew, _châzâh'_):** This primitive root signifies "to gaze at," "to perceive," or "to contemplate with pleasure." More than a casual glance, it implies a direct, intentional, and often visionary or prophetic sight. Job's use of this word emphasizes the intensely personal, unmediated, and undeniable nature of the future encounter he anticipates with God. It suggests a profound and satisfying apprehension, not merely a fleeting glimpse.
* **Reins (Hebrew, _kilyâh'_):** In ancient Hebrew thought, the "reins" (kidneys) were considered the seat of one's deepest emotions, conscience, innermost thoughts, and affections. They were regarded as the most hidden and intimate parts of a person's being, often associated with moral character and the place where God searches and tests (e.g., [Psalm 7:9](/psalms/7-9 "Psalm 7:9 - God Tests the Hearts and Minds")). Therefore, Job's reference to his "reins" being consumed emphasizes the profound, soul-deep anguish and physical decay he was experiencing, indicating that his suffering penetrated to the very core of his being.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** This primitive root means "to end," "to cease," "to be finished," "to perish," or "to waste away." When applied to the "reins," it conveys a sense of utter physical and emotional exhaustion, a deep internal decay or longing so intense it felt physically destructive. It highlights the stark contrast between Job's utterly broken physical and emotional state and his unyielding spiritual hope, underscoring that his inner being is wasting away, yet his spirit holds fast to a future vision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whom I shall see for myself,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the deeply personal and singular nature of Job's hope. The "Whom" refers back to the "Redeemer" and "God" mentioned in the preceding verses, indicating the object of his profound anticipation. The phrase "for myself" (literally, "for me") emphasizes that this vision will be Job's own, unmediated experience. It is not a vision for others, nor is it a secondhand report; it is a direct, personal encounter that he anticipates, a vindication that he himself will witness.
* **"and mine eyes shall behold, and not another;"**: This clause powerfully reinforces the personal and exclusive nature of the future vision. "Mine eyes shall behold" reiterates the direct visual experience, while "and not another" (or "not a stranger") firmly negates any possibility of this being someone else's experience or a mere theological concept. It will be Job himself, with his own eyes, who will see God. This declaration is a potent assertion of identity and personal continuity beyond death, anticipating a bodily resurrection where he will personally experience this divine encounter.
* **"[though] my reins be consumed within me."**: This final clause serves as a stark contrast and a profound testament to Job's faith. The conjunction "though" (implied in the Hebrew structure) highlights the profound paradox: despite his inner being (reins) being utterly wasted away by suffering and anguish, his hope for this future vision remains vibrant and unyielding. It emphasizes the depth of his physical and emotional decay, yet simultaneously underscores the spiritual fortitude and transcendent nature of his hope, which persists even when his body and spirit are at their breaking point.

#### Literary Devices
Job 19:27 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting Job's intense physical and emotional decay ("my reins be consumed within me") against his unyielding spiritual hope and future vision ("Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold"). This creates a powerful tension that highlights the transcendent nature of his faith. **Hyperbole** is evident in "my reins be consumed," which, while describing real anguish, uses extreme language to emphasize the depth of his suffering, suggesting a complete internal wasting away. The use of "reins" is a **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a part (kidneys/reins) stands for the whole (Job's inner being, emotions, and very life force). This allows for a vivid, visceral description of his internal agony. Finally, the entire declaration, especially when read in conjunction with [Job 19:25-26](/job/19-25-26 "Job 19:25-26 - Job's Redeemer and Vision of God"), functions as profound **Foreshadowing**, anticipating later biblical revelations concerning bodily resurrection and the ultimate, face-to-face encounter between humanity and God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 19:27 is a theological bedrock, articulating a profound hope that transcends immediate suffering and even death itself. It speaks to the deeply ingrained human longing for vindication and a personal encounter with the Divine, a longing that finds its ultimate fulfillment in God's redemptive plan. Job's declaration, made from the depths of despair, prefigures the New Testament understanding of bodily resurrection and the beatific vision, asserting that despite the decay of the physical body, the individual person will stand before God. This verse underscores God's ultimate justice and faithfulness, assuring us that even when His ways are inscrutable, His promises for a future beyond suffering remain steadfast. It affirms that our identity and relationship with God are not extinguished by death, but rather transformed into a glorious, direct communion.
* [Psalm 17:15](/psalms/17-15 "Psalm 17:15 - Seeing God's Face in Righteousness")
* [Psalm 73:24](/psalms/73-24 "Psalm 73:24 - God's Guidance and Glory")
* [Isaiah 26:19](/isaiah/26-19 "Isaiah 26:19 - Resurrection Hope")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 19:27 offers profound encouragement and a challenging model for believers navigating their own trials. It reminds us that even when our physical, emotional, and spiritual resources are utterly depleted—when our "reins be consumed within us"—our hope in God's ultimate justice, vindication, and personal presence can remain vibrant. Job's unwavering gaze toward a future encounter with his Redeemer, despite his present agony, teaches us to cultivate an eternal perspective. Our current sufferings, however intense, are temporary; the promise of seeing God face-to-face is eternal. This verse calls us to anchor our hope not in fleeting circumstances or human understanding, but in the immutable character and promises of God, trusting that He will ultimately bring about our vindication and restoration, allowing us to behold His glory with our own eyes. It encourages a deep, personal longing for God Himself, not just for deliverance from pain, but for the ultimate joy of His presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I allow my current suffering or circumstances to diminish my hope in God's future promises?**
* **How does Job's intense desire to "see for myself" challenge or deepen my own longing for a personal encounter with God?**
* **What does it mean for my faith to persevere, even when my "reins" (my deepest inner being) feel consumed by life's trials?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Job saying "my reins be consumed within me" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "my reins be consumed within me" is highly significant as it highlights the extreme depth of Job's suffering. In ancient Hebrew thought, the "reins" (kidneys) were considered the seat of one's deepest emotions, conscience, and inner being, akin to what we might call the soul or spirit. Therefore, for his "reins" to be "consumed" (wasted away, pined away) means that his anguish was not merely superficial or physical, but had penetrated to the very core of his being, causing profound internal decay and emotional exhaustion. This starkly contrasts with his unyielding spiritual hope, emphasizing that even when his inner self was utterly spent, his faith in a future vision of God remained vibrant and resolute. It underscores the paradox of profound human suffering coexisting with transcendent divine hope, a theme echoed in [2 Corinthians 4:16](/2_corinthians/4-16 "2 Corinthians 4:16 - Though Our Outer Self Is Wasting Away"), which speaks of the outer self wasting away while the inner self is renewed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 19:27, a profound declaration of hope from the ancient world, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Job's yearning to "see for myself" his Redeemer and to behold God "in my flesh" is a prophetic anticipation of the Incarnation, where God Himself took on human flesh in the person of Jesus ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The "Redeemer" Job speaks of is fully realized in Christ, who, through His life, death, and resurrection, became our Kinsman-Redeemer, purchasing us from the bondage of sin and death ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us")). Job's hope for a bodily vision of God beyond death directly foreshadows the Christian hope of resurrection, where believers will be raised in glorified bodies and will indeed see God face to face ([1 Corinthians 15:52-54](/1_corinthians/15-52-54 "1 Corinthians 15:52-54 - The Resurrection Body") and [1 John 3:2](/1_john/3-2 "1 John 3:2 - We Shall See Him As We Is")). Even as Job's "reins be consumed within me," signifying his profound suffering, Christ's suffering on the cross was the ultimate act of self-consumption for the redemption of humanity ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation")). Therefore, Job's ancient cry becomes a vibrant testimony to the future reality secured by Christ: that despite present afflictions, those who believe will personally behold their God and Redeemer in glory, forever vindicated and transformed.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 73:26

My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Numbers 24:17

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.