Job 19:20
My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
Original Language Analysis
וּ֭בִבְשָׂרִי
and to my flesh
H1320
וּ֭בִבְשָׂרִי
and to my flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
2 of 7
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
דָּבְקָ֣ה
cleaveth
H1692
דָּבְקָ֣ה
cleaveth
Strong's:
H1692
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
עַצְמִ֑י
My bone
H6106
עַצְמִ֑י
My bone
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
4 of 7
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
וָ֝אֶתְמַלְּטָ֗ה
and I am escaped
H4422
וָ֝אֶתְמַלְּטָ֗ה
and I am escaped
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern medicine recognized wasting diseases and their devastating effects. Job's description matches advanced disease—skin lesions, weight loss, extreme pain. That he survives at all seems miraculous, hence 'escaped with the skin of my teeth.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does physical deterioration test faith in ways other trials don't?
- What does it mean that Job's greatest faith declaration comes from his lowest physical point?
- How does suffering that threatens life itself clarify what we truly believe?
Analysis & Commentary
Job's physical condition is catastrophic: 'My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.' The vivid description—bones visible through skin, barely surviving—communicates extreme emaciation and suffering. 'Skin of my teeth' (proverbial phrase originating here) means narrowest escape. Job describes someone barely clinging to life. Yet this near-death experience precedes his greatest declaration of resurrection hope.