📖 Biblical Definition
Job's startling declaration in the depths of his suffering: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:25-26). One of the OT's clearest pre-Christian articulations of resurrection-hope and a personal Redeemer (goel) who lives.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Job 19:25's resurrection-hope and personal-Redeemer confession.
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Job's startling declaration in the depths of his suffering, from Job 19:25-27: "For I know that my redeemer (goel) liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another." One of the Old Testament's clearest pre-Christian articulations of: (1) personal Redeemer who is alive (goel chai); (2) eschatological standing on earth ("the latter day"); (3) bodily resurrection ("in my flesh shall I see God"); (4) personal beatific vision ("mine eyes shall behold, and not another"). Handel's Messiah uses the verse precisely; Job's confession was prophetic of Christ.
📖 Key Scripture
Job 19:25-27 — "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."
1 Corinthians 15:14 — "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."
Revelation 1:18 — "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Treated as a hymn-line; the in-context boldness of Job's declaration in the middle of his suffering is the actual gift.
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Handel's Messiah has made "I know that my Redeemer liveth" hymn-familiar. The in-context boldness is what gives the verse its power: Job is on the ash-heap, his children dead, his body covered in boils, his friends accusing him, his wife having said "curse God and die." From there, Job declares: my Redeemer liveth.
Recover the context: read Job 19:23-27 with chapters 1-2 in mind. Faith's confession in the worst place is the most powerful confession.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew goeli chai.
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['Hebrew', 'H1350', 'gaal', 'to redeem']
['Hebrew', 'H2416', 'chai', 'live, alive']
Usage
"I know that my Redeemer liveth."
"On the ash-heap, the boldest confession."
"Personal Redeemer; bodily resurrection; beatific vision."