וַיַּ֥עַן אִיֹּ֗וב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃
(Job 9:1)
And Job answered and said:
Word-by-Word Explanation
- וַיַּעַן — “and he answered.”
– Root: עָנָה (“to answer, respond”).
– Form: Qal wayyiqtol (imperfect with vav-consecutive) 3rd masculine singular.
– Usage: The standard narrative form, moving the story forward. - אִיֹּוב — “Job.” The subject of the verb, a proper name in pause form.
- וַיֹּאמַר — “and he said.”
– Root: אָמַר (“to say”).
– Form: Qal wayyiqtol 3ms.
– Function: Hebrew often pairs וַיַּעַן with וַיֹּאמַר as a fixed storytelling formula: “And he answered and said.”
Word Order and Sentence Flow
The order is straightforward Hebrew narrative:
- וַיַּעַן — verb first (“and he answered”).
- אִיֹּוב — subject (“Job”).
- וַיֹּאמַר — second verb (“and he said”).
This formula shows how Biblical Hebrew introduces speeches: first the action of responding, then the act of speaking itself.
Formulaic Speech-Introduction Chart
| First Verb | Subject | Second Verb | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַיַּעַן and he answered |
אִיֹּוב Job |
וַיֹּאמַר and he said |
Introduces Job’s speech |
How the Sentence Works œ
- Wayyiqtol verbs: The little וַ (“and”) + imperfect form is the classic Hebrew storytelling tense, often translated as a simple past.
- Speech formula: “And he answered and said” is a fixed introduction to dialogue in Biblical Hebrew.
- Compactness: Just three words set the stage for one of the longest speeches in the Bible.
What This Verse Just Taught You
In this short verse, you’ve seen how Hebrew narrative introduces dialogue with wayyiqtol verbs and formulaic phrasing. This tiny sentence is the doorway into Job’s lament — and it shows that even the smallest Hebrew structures carry big narrative force.
