Tag Archives: Job 39:9

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”) — projecting a hypothetical or doubtful future action. רֵים — a wild ox or untamable beast, used symbolically here for strength and independence עָבְדֶךָ — “your servant,” from עֶבֶד with the 2ms possessive suffix Together: “Will the wild ox be willing to serve you?”… Learn Hebrew
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