Psalms 94:9 in Hebrew
הֲנֹ֣טַֽע אֹ֭זֶן הֲלֹ֣א יִשְׁמָ֑ע אִֽם־יֹ֥צֵֽר עַ֝֗יִן הֲלֹ֣א יַבִּֽיט׃
Introduction to Rhetorical Questions
Psalms 94:9 uses rhetorical questions to emphasize the power and awareness of God. The verse asks:
הֲנֹ֣טַֽע אֹ֭זֶן הֲלֹ֣א יִשְׁמָ֑ע – “The one who planted the ear, does He not hear?”
אִֽם־יֹ֥צֵֽר עַ֝֗יִן הֲלֹ֣א יַבִּֽיט – “If He formed the eye, does He not see?”
These are rhetorical questions, meaning they do not expect an answer but instead affirm a truth.
Understanding the Rhetorical Structure
1. Use of הֲ and הֲלֹא
– הֲ (ha-) at the beginning of the first clause marks a yes/no question:
הֲנֹ֣טַֽע אֹ֭זֶן – “The one who planted the ear…”
– הֲלֹא (halo) strengthens the expectation of an affirmative response:
הֲלֹ֣א יִשְׁמָ֑ע – “Does He not hear?”
– הֲלֹא implies certainty, emphasizing that the answer is obviously “Yes.”
2. Parallelism Between Ear and Eye
– The structure contrasts the ear (hearing) and the eye (seeing).
– By forming these organs, God possesses their abilities to the highest degree.
3. Contrastive Verb Forms: נֹטַֽע and יֹצֵֽר
– נֹטַֽע (nōṭaʿ) – “the one who plants” (referring to the ear).
– יֹצֵֽר (yōṣēr) – “the one who forms” (referring to the eye).
– These active participles emphasize that God is the Creator, and what He creates, He fully understands.
The Function of Rhetorical Questions in Biblical Hebrew
1. Affirming a Self-Evident Truth
– The verse does not ask whether God hears or sees; it declares that He does.
– The structure forces the reader to acknowledge God’s perfect knowledge.
2. Rebuking the Wicked
– The broader context of Psalm 94 condemns those who believe they can act without consequence.
– The rhetorical question serves as a warning—God is aware of all actions.
3. Enhancing Poetic Effect
– The parallel structure and contrast of sensory perception make the verse more memorable and forceful.
– The poetic device reinforces God’s omniscience.
The Power of Rhetorical Questions in Psalms 94:9
Psalms 94:9 demonstrates how rhetorical questions in Biblical Hebrew serve to affirm divine truths. The use of הֲ and הֲלֹא creates a powerful argument: If God created hearing and sight, then He must Himself hear and see all things.
This verse is both a statement of faith and a rebuke to those who doubt God’s awareness, reinforcing the idea that no injustice escapes divine notice.
