| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The clause uses a classic Hebrew speech-introduction formula: wayyaʿan {וַיַּ֥עַן | wayyaʿan} ‘and he answered’ + subject ʾiyyôḇ {אִיּ֗וֹב | ʾiyyôḇ} ‘Job’ + wayyomer {וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ | wayyomer} ‘and he said.’ The vav-consecutive imperfects advance the dialogue in narrative sequence, while the verb–subject–verb order foregrounds the action of responding before naming the speaker. English typically moves the subject earlier for clarity, but retaining both verbs reflects the Hebrew emphasis on response followed by the beginning of a formal speech. |