Job 39:9
הֲיֹ֣אבֶה רֵּ֣ים עָבְדֶ֑ךָ אִם־יָלִין עַל־אֲבוּסֶֽךָ׃
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?” — a rhetorical question expecting a negative answer, emphasizing human inability to tame nature.
Second Interrogative: אִם־יָלִין עַל־אֲבוּסֶךָ
אִם introduces an alternative condition or continuation of the rhetorical question: “Or will…?”
- יָלִין (“will he lodge?”) is a Qal imperfect 3ms of ל־ו־ן (“to lodge, spend the night”)
- עַל־אֲבוּסֶךָ — “by your manger,” from אֲבוּס (“manger, feeding trough”) with 2ms suffix
The image reinforces the absurdity of domesticating the wild ox: it will not settle peacefully by a human’s stable.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Job 39:9
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| יֹאבֶה | א־ב־ה | Qal imperfect (3ms) | “Will he be willing?” — rhetorical future question |
| רֵים | ר־י־ם | Noun (ms) | “Wild ox” — symbol of strength and untamability |
| יָלִין | ל־ו־ן | Qal imperfect (3ms) | “Will he lodge?” — second rhetorical future action |
| אֲבוּסֶךָ | א־ב־ס | Noun (ms + 2ms suffix) | “Your manger” — symbol of domestic service |
The Grammar of Divine Challenge
Job 39:9 uses elegant parallel questions and imperfect verbs to craft a rhetorical challenge to human control over nature. The grammar — interrogatives with imperfect verbs, poetic parallelism, and vivid nouns — underscores YHWH’s point: humans cannot tame the reʾem; only the Creator rules over the forces of wildness. Language and form together declare the limits of human sovereignty.
