נקף
here. Instead of translating it according to its primitive signification, viz. to surround
a foreign sense has been palmed upon it, viz. to destroy. Job, no doubt, meant to say thus:
"And after my skin has returned, this shall be;
And out of my flesh shall I see God."
Thus the literal meaning demonstrates a connecting link between verses 25 and 26. The authorised version and the marginal reading seem to lack that link:
"And I know that my Redeemer liveth,
And He shall at length abide upon the earth."
But would you know when this at length is to take place? It will come to pass when a shaking of the dry bones shall take place, when bone to bone shall be joined, when sinews and flesh shall come upon them, and skin cover them above; that is, when the skeleton of my mutilated body shall be raised a glorified body. In other words,—
"And after my skin returned, this shall be;