Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 19:27

27. Whom I shall see for my self , and mine eyes shall behold, and not another : though my reins be consumed within me .

In manner before and after expressed. No wonder that he repeats it again and again, because the meditation of it was most sweet to him.

i. e. For my own comfort and benefit as that Phrase is oft used. Or, which is much of the same importance on my behalf, to plead my Cause and vindicate me from all your reproaches.

To wit, for me or in my stead. I shall not see God by anothers eyes, but by my own, and by these self-same eyes in this same body which now I have. Heb. not a stranger; i. e. This priviledge shall be granted to me and to all other sincere Servants of God, but not to strangers; i. e. to wicked men, who are oft called strangers; as Psal. 18. 44, 45. & 54. 3. Prov. 21. 8. because they are estranged or alienated from God and from his service and people. And if I were such an one, as you suppose me to be, I could never hope to enjoy that happiness.

This I do confidently expect and hope for, though at present my Case seems desperate, my very inward parts being even consumed with grief; and though, as I have said, the Grave and the Worms will consume my whole Body, not excepting the Reins which seem to be fasest and furthest out of their reach. Or, without though, which is not in the Hebrew, My reins are consumed within me. So this may be a sudden and passionate ejaculation or exclamation (such as we find Gen. 48. 18. and oft in the Book of Psalms) arising from the contemplation and confident expectation of this his unspeakable happiness, wherein he expresseth his vehement desire and longing for that blessed time and state. The reins are oft put for earnest desires or affections, whereof they are supposed to be the seat; as Iob. 38. 36. Prov. 23. 16. And men are oft in Scripture said to be consumed or eaten up, or the like, by ardent affections; as Psalm 69. 19. & 84. 2. and 119. 81, 82. Iohn 2. 17.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span].; Heb. in my [illegible: 1 word] ▪