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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