וַ֭יַּעַן בִּלְדַּ֥ד הַשּׁוּחִ֗י וַיֹאמַֽר׃
(Job 8:1)
And Bildad the Shuchite answered and said:
Word-by-Word Explanation
- וַיַּעַן – “And he answered”Verb, 3rd person masculine singular, vav-consecutive form of עָנָה (“to answer”). The וַ prefix connects this to the previous narrative sequence. This verb usually introduces a response or reply in Biblical speech.
- בִּלְדַּד – “Bildad”Proper noun. One of Job’s three friends. This marks the beginning of his first speech.
- הַשּׁוּחִי – “the Shuchite”Adjective or gentilic, meaning “from Shuach” (a place or ancestral line). The definite article הַ = “the.” Together with the name: “Bildad the Shuchite.”
- וַיֹאמַר – “and he said”Verb, 3rd person masculine singular, vav-consecutive of אָמַר (“to say”). This introduces the words that Bildad is about to speak in the next verses.
Word Order and Sentence Flow
This verse is a classic formula used throughout Biblical Hebrew to introduce a speaker:
- Action first – וַיַּעַן: “And he answered”
- Subject second – בִּלְדַּד הַשּׁוּחִי: “Bildad the Shuchite”
- Follow-up action – וַיֹאמַר: “and he said”
This verb-then-subject order is typical of Biblical narrative, especially when shifting to a new speaker in dialogue.
Mini Chart: Hebrew Dialogue Formula
| Hebrew Phrase | English Meaning | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| וַיַּעַן | And he answered | Introduces a reply |
| בִּלְדַּד הַשּׁוּחִי | Bildad the Shuchite | Identifies the speaker |
| וַיֹאמַר | And he said | Signals direct speech |
Now You See the Structure
You just stepped into a Hebrew dialogue—and saw how the Bible introduces a voice.
This small verse teaches you:
- How Hebrew shows a shift in speakers
- How verbs come first in narrative style
- How place-based identifiers like הַשּׁוּחִי help us track who’s who
You’re not just learning vocabulary—you’re learning the rhythm of Biblical storytelling.
And now you’re ready for what Bildad will say next.
