Tag Archives: Job

“Then Iyov Answered and Said”: Formulaic Speech Introductions in Biblical Hebrew

Introduction to Job 3:2: The Turning Point of Silence into Speech Job 3:2 contains only six Hebrew words, yet it marks a pivotal moment in the literary structure of the book: וַיַּ֥עַן אִיֹּ֗וב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ — “Then Iyov answered and said.” … Continue reading

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The Use of Construct Chains in Job 1:3

Job 1:3 in Hebrew וַיְהִ֣י מִ֠קְנֵהוּ שִֽׁבְעַ֨ת אַלְפֵי־צֹ֜אן וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת אַלְפֵ֣י גְמַלִּ֗ים וַחֲמֵ֨שׁ מֵאֹ֤ות צֶֽמֶד־בָּקָר֙ וַחֲמֵ֣שׁ מֵאֹ֣ות אֲתֹונֹ֔ות וַעֲבֻדָּ֖ה רַבָּ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וַיְהִי֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא גָּדֹ֖ול מִכָּל־בְּנֵי־קֶֽדֶם׃ Introduction to the Verse Job 1:3 describes Job’s great Read more […]

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The Use of the Cohortative Verb in Job 31:1

Job 31:1 in Hebrew בְּ֭רִית כָּרַ֣תִּי לְעֵינָ֑י וּמָ֥ה אֶ֝תְבֹּונֵ֗ן עַל־בְּתוּלָֽה׃ Introduction to the Verse Job 31:1 contains an example of a cohortative verb, which expresses desire, intention, or resolve. The key verb to examine is אֶתְבֹּונֵן (ʾetbōnēn), which appears in … Continue reading

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The Meaning of תָּם וְיָשָׁר in Job 1:1

Job 1:1 in Hebrew אִ֛ישׁ הָיָ֥ה בְאֶֽרֶץ־ע֖וּץ אִיֹּ֣וב שְׁמֹ֑ו וְהָיָ֣ה הָאִ֣ישׁ הַה֗וּא תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר וִירֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים וְסָ֥ר מֵרָֽע׃ Introduction to Job’s Character Job 1:1 introduces Job as a man of exemplary character, describing him with four key attributes: תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר … Continue reading

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“You Have Strengthened Knees That Were Bowing”: Causative Stems and Parallelism in Job 4:4

Introduction to Job 4:4: Eliphaz and the Power of Speech Job 4:4 is part of Eliphaz’s opening speech, where he reminds Job of his past influence and moral strength. The verse praises Job for encouraging the weak, using evocative imagery … Continue reading

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The Answering Voice: Analyzing וַיַּעַן in Job 20:1

Introduction to Job 20:1: The Structure of Dialogue Job 20:1 introduces the second speech of Ṣofar the Naʿamatite, one of Job’s three interlocutors. The verb וַיַּעַן (vayyaʿan), meaning “and he answered”, is a standard formula in biblical dialogue, particularly in … Continue reading

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The Rhetorical Question and Parallelism in Job 11:2

Introduction to Job 11:2 Job 11:2 is part of Zophar’s first speech, in which he rebukes Job for his words and insists that Job’s suffering is the result of his sin. The verse employs a rhetorical question and parallel structure, … Continue reading

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The Cry of Endurance: Analyzing עַד־אָנָה in Job 19:2

Introduction to Job 19:2: The Rhetoric of Lament Job 19:2 is part of one of the most emotionally charged speeches in the Book of Job, where Job responds to his friends’ repeated accusations and moral judgments. His words are deeply … Continue reading

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