Job 19 25

Job 19:25 kjv

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Job 19:25 nkjv

For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;

Job 19:25 niv

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

Job 19:25 esv

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

Job 19:25 nlt

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.

Job 19 verses

Job 19 25 Meaning

Job 19:25 is a profound declaration of faith by Job amidst his immense suffering, expressing an unwavering conviction that a divine kinsman-redeemer (gōʾēl) exists, is alive, and will ultimately vindicate him. Despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of death and decay, Job trusts that this Redeemer will rise up and make his justice known, establishing his integrity upon the earth, perhaps even after Job's death or at the end of time. It speaks to a personal and eschatological hope that transcends the grave.

Job 19 25 Context

Job, after enduring catastrophic losses, painful boils, and harsh accusations from his three friends, sits in profound despair and physical agony. His friends insist that his suffering is direct proof of his sin, implying that God is justly punishing him. In contrast, Job maintains his innocence, refusing to confess a specific sin that would warrant such torment. Chapters 16 and 17 reveal Job's deep frustration with his friends and his desire for an advocate, a witness in heaven. Chapter 18 contains Bildad's third speech, detailing the fate of the wicked, implicitly condemning Job. It is in response to this that Job, in Chapter 19, delivers a lament, pouring out his misery, yet punctuating it with this astounding declaration of faith. He has been outcast, misunderstood, and seemingly abandoned by God and man, yet he holds onto a profound, personal hope that God, his true vindicator, is alive and will eventually clear his name, perhaps even in a way that transcends death. This verse stands out as an exceptional utterance of faith concerning a future, divine intervention at a time when the common belief centered around a shadowy afterlife in Sheol with little hope of personal restoration.

Job 19 25 Word analysis

• For (כִּ֣י - kî): This Hebrew conjunction serves as a strong affirmative or causal particle, best translated as "for" or "surely." It introduces a declaration of conviction, not a question or mere possibility. Job is stating something he knows for certain.
• I know (יָדַ֣עְתִּי - yāḏaʿtî): From the verb יָדַע (yadaʿ), meaning "to know," often implying deep, intimate, and experiential knowledge, not just intellectual awareness. This is a powerful statement of firm, unwavering personal conviction, especially remarkable given his desolate circumstances. It speaks of a divinely imparted certainty that transcends human reasoning.
• that (כִּי - kî): A conjunction here, linking the conviction to the substance of what Job knows.
• my Redeemer (גֹאֲלִ֣י - gōʾēlî): A crucial term. גֹאֵל (goel) refers to a kinsman-redeemer or avenger in Israelite law. This individual had specific duties: to buy back enslaved family members (Lev 25:48), redeem forfeited property (Lev 25:25), exact vengeance for a murdered relative (Num 35:19), or even marry a widow to perpetuate a brother's name (Ruth 4:5-10). The suffix -î makes it possessive: "my redeemer," indicating a personal relationship and expectation. Here, it signifies one who will step forward, not to pay a ransom from a human source, but to vindicate Job and set him right. Many scholars interpret this Goel as God Himself (see Ps 19:14, Isa 43:1).
• lives (חַ֥י - ḥay): The verb חַי (hay) means "to live" or "to be alive." It is present tense and active, emphasizing the ongoing, vibrant existence of his Redeemer. This stands in stark contrast to Job's own anticipated death and the common perception of a dead or distant deity. It means the Redeemer is not absent, incapacitated, or indifferent, but an active, living force.
• and (וְ֭אַחֲרֹון - wə): A simple conjunctive "and," connecting the two parts of the declaration.
• at the last (אַחֲרֹ֧ון - ʾaḥărôn): The word אַחֲרֹון (ʾaḥărôn) means "the latter," "the last one," or "at the end." This can refer to the ultimate state or conclusion of something. It could mean: 1) after his death, 2) at the end of time, 3) the final act of God's plan, or 4) that the Redeemer himself is "the Last One," implying finality and supreme authority. It strongly conveys an ultimate, decisive outcome.
• he will stand (יָק֣וּם - yāqûm): From the verb קוּם (qum), meaning "to rise," "to stand up," "to arise." It implies an active, decisive movement or intervention. In a legal context, it could mean "to stand up" as a witness or judge, or to "establish" a cause. It indicates a powerful and public act of vindication.
• upon the earth (עַל־עָפָר - ʿal-ʿāphār): עָפָר (ʿāphār) literally means "dust," "dry earth," or "soil." "Upon dust" can have multiple implications: 1) Job, himself reduced to dust (dead body, ashes), seeing his Redeemer. 2) The general surface of the earth where humans live and die, indicating a public vindication in the world. 3) The earth as a place of judgment and redemption, emphasizing that this divine intervention is tangible and manifest within human history, not merely in the heavens. This term emphasizes the Redeemer's involvement with humanity and creation.

Job 19 25 Bonus section

• Polemics against contemporary beliefs: Job's declaration subtly challenges the prevailing view in the ancient world that death was a definitive end with little hope for individual restoration or justice beyond the grave, and certainly no bodily resurrection. It also counters the implied theological fatalism that God punishes directly without future recourse for the righteous.
• Theological significance of "My Redeemer lives": This phrase asserts the enduring vitality and active presence of God, even when He seems distant or hidden. It's a statement of trust in God's nature, irrespective of immediate circumstances, a cornerstone of biblical faith.
• "Stand upon the earth" as vindication: While sometimes interpreted as Christ's Second Coming, for Job himself, it immediately relates to a public clearing of his name. His goel would rise up to legally establish his righteousness and integrity before all, transforming his dusty, miserable state into one of vindication and honor. This public display would likely require Job's ability to witness it.

Job 19 25 Commentary

Job 19:25 is arguably the most remarkable and hopeful statement in the entire book of Job, representing a magnificent confession of faith in the midst of extreme suffering. It acts as a divine interjection, piercing through Job's anguish and his friends' theological misinterpretations. This verse asserts a conviction rooted in a profound, personal knowledge that Job's Goel, his kinsman-redeemer, not only exists but is actively "living," implying vitality, power, and readiness to intervene. The concept of the "goel" is critical, embodying the legal and familial duty to restore rights, properties, or justice. For Job, his "Goel" is the ultimate advocate, one who will not merely observe but will actively "stand" for him, indicating a decisive, public vindication against all accusations. The phrase "at the last he will stand upon the earth" introduces an eschatological dimension, hinting at a future bodily resurrection or a final judgment when Job's righteousness will be clearly demonstrated, even if it is after his death. This extraordinary hope transcends the prevailing ancient Near Eastern beliefs about the afterlife, offering a glimmer of individual triumph over the power of death and the grave through divine intervention. This passage points implicitly toward the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate kinsman-redeemer, active in His life, death, and resurrection, and who will finally return to "stand upon the earth" in ultimate judgment and redemption for His people. It is a powerful affirmation that ultimate justice rests not with human opinion, but with a living, redeeming God.