| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the Qal imperative sauni {שָׂ֭אוּנִי | sā’û-nî} expressing a request for patient attention. The conjunction ve introduces the independent pronoun anoχi {וְאָנֹכִ֣י | wə-’ānō-ḵî}, identifying Job as the speaker. The Piel imperfect adabber {אֲדַבֵּ֑ר | ’ădabbēr} places emphasis on the act of speaking. The waw-consecutive ve’achar dabri {וְאַחַ֖ר דַּבְּרִ֣י | wə-’aḥar dab-rî} forms a temporal sequence indicating what follows the speech. The final imperfect tal’ig {תַלְעִֽיג | tal-’îg} grants permission for derision. This progression—entreaty, proclamation, and concession—reflects Job’s rhetorical strategy of commanding patience before accepting mockery. |