LESSON XIX

• The Infinitive Construct of the verb

• Infinitives have qualities of both verbs and nouns. It therefore has no limitations; it is infinite. It has no person, gender, or number.

• It is usually translated like the English infinitive: e.g. - "to keep" or "to speak"

• It may be translated like the English gerundial meaning with the addition of "-ing"

• In form the Hebrew infinitive is identical to the imperative 2ms with the exception of the hifil.

• It is often prefixed with the l preposition: e.g. - rom:$il

• Note the form of romE) with the l preposition. It is frequent and exceptional. The form is rom)"l

• It is used to mark direct discourse, like quotation marks.

• The infinitive construct is often used with a pronominal suffix. Such a suffix may function either as the subject or as the object of the infinitive.

• A negative infinitive clause is formed by placing yiT:lib:l , "so as to not," or "in order not," before the infinitive construct.
  

• Infinitives often have a prepositional prefix. Translate them as temporal clauses:

• rom:$iB - when (he) kept

• rom:$iK - while (he) kept

• !:r:mf$:B - when you kept

• Infinitive absolute - it is rare in Hebrew. There is no exact equivalent in English. It usually occurs along side finite verbs for emphasis. The clue to identifying them is the holem in the last syllable.

• Unlike infinitives construct, the infinitive absolute never takes a prepositional prefix or suffix.

• They are sometimes used like the English gerund with the "-ing" endging.

• Of importance is the qal infinite absolute =   rOmf$ ; rom:$iT rOmf$ - "you will surely keep"

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