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 personal, rhetorical, and anguished. The phrase עַד־אָנָה opens the verse with a powerful lament, best translated as “How long?” This article explores the grammatical construction, poetic force, and theological weight of עַד־אָנָה, revealing how it frames Job’s emotional suffering and deep existential appeal.
עַד־֭אָנָה תֹּוגְי֣וּן נַפְשִׁ֑י וּֽתְדַכְּאוּנַ֥נִי בְמִלִּֽים׃
Parsing the Outcry: Structure and Components
עַד־אָנָה תֹּוגְי֣וּן נַפְשִׁ֑י
- עַד־אָנָה (*ʿad-ʾānāh*) – “How long?” (a rhetorical interrogative phrase showing distress and protest).
- תֹּוגְי֣וּן (*tōgyūn*) – “Will you torment” (Piel imperfect 2nd person masculine plural of יָגָה, “to torment, grieve”).
- נַפְשִׁי (*nafshî*) – “my soul” or “my life” (noun with 1st person singular suffix).
וּֽתְדַכְּאוּנַ֥נִי בְמִלִּֽים
- וּתְדַכְּאוּנַ֥נִי (*utdəkkəʾūnannî*) – “and crush me” (Piel imperfect 2nd person plural with 1st person object suffix).
- בְמִלִּים (*bəmillîm*) – “with words” (instrumental use of בְ־, “by means of”).
The verse is structured in two parallel lines, both directed at Job’s friends, emphasizing emotional and psychological aggression through speech.
Grammatical Analysis of עַד־אָנָה
Form and Syntax
- עַד (*ʿad*) – Preposition meaning “until,” expressing duration or end-point.
- אָנָה (*ʾānāh*) – Interrogative adverb meaning “where?” or, in this collocation, “when?” or “how long?”
Combined, עַד־אָנָה functions as a formulaic expression meaning “How long will this continue?” It is used frequently in laments throughout Scripture (e.g., Psalms, Habakkuk), signifying deep emotional distress, protest, and an urgent appeal for relief or justice.
Rhetorical Force
As a question, עַד־אָנָה is not informational—it is expressive. It introduces a plea from one suffering injustice. Job is not seeking a timeline; he is asking, “Why is this still happening to me? Why has it not stopped?”
Poetic and Theological Significance
Emotional Intensity and Parallelism
Job uses parallelism to intensify his accusation:
- Line 1: “How long will you torment my soul?”
- Line 2: “And crush me with words?”
The two lines function as a progression—from internal anguish (“my soul”) to external pressure (“words”). The verb תֹּוגְי֣וּן emphasizes soul-pain, while תְדַכְּאוּנַ֥נִי expresses the brutality of verbal assault.
Contrast with Divine Lament Formulas
Interestingly, עַד־אָנָה is also used by prophets and psalmists addressing God, but here it is aimed at human friends, accusing them of doing what only divine judgment might justify. This bold rhetorical move positions Job as the wronged one, not merely by fate or God, but by misguided human counsel.
Theology of Lament
This verse captures one of Job’s central theological contributions: Lament is legitimate. Protest is sacred. Suffering may question both God and friends. The use of עַד־אָנָה frames the lament as part of a long-standing biblical tradition in which the faithful cry out—not in disbelief, but in anguished longing for justice and understanding.
The Role of עַד־אָנָה in Job 19:2
The interrogative phrase עַד־אָנָה opens Job 19:2 with a thunderous emotional appeal. It expresses:
- Psychological depth – revealing the breaking point of the human spirit under unjust words.
- Grammatical force – combining a preposition and interrogative to form a timeless cry of protest.
- Theological honesty – affirming that true faith includes the freedom to lament and question.
In the heart of Job’s speech, עַד־אָנָה is a protest not just against pain—but against the silence of justice. It is the voice of every sufferer who dares to ask: “How long must I endure this?”
