The Untamed Beast: Interrogatives, Imperfects, and Domestication Imagery in Job 39:9
הֲיֹ֣אבֶה רֵּ֣ים עָבְדֶ֑ךָ אִם־יָלִין עַל־אֲבוּסֶֽךָ׃ (Job 39:9) Will the wild ox be willing to serve you, or will he lodge by your manger? Opening Interrogative: הֲיֹאבֶה רֵים עָבְדֶךָ הֲ is the interrogative particle introducing a yes/no question: “Will…?” יֹאבֶה (“will he be willing?”) is a Qal imperfect 3ms of א־ב־ה (“to be willing, consent”) —…