Page:Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar (1910 Kautzsch-Cowley edition).djvu/366

 3. The infinitive absolute occurs most frequently in immediate connexion with the finite verb of the same stem, in order in various ways to define more accurately or to strengthen the idea of the verb.

These infinitives absolute joined immediately to the finite verb belong in a sense to the schema etymologicum treated in, i.e. they are objects of the finite verb in question, except that the infinitive absolute (as a nomen abstractum) lays stress rather on the actual occurrence or the energy of the action (see the examples below), while the noun proper emphasizes the result or extent of the action; cf. e.g.  it actually happens that he cries to me, with  (as it were, he cried, so that a great cry was heard).

We must further distinguish—

(a) The infinitive absolute used before the verb to strengthen the verbal idea, i.e. to emphasize in this way either the certainty (especially in the case of threats) or the forcibleness and completeness of an occurrence. In English, such an infinitive is mostly expressed by a corresponding adverb, but sometimes merely by putting greater stress on the verb; e.g., cf. 18:10, 18, 22:17, 28:22, (cometh surely to pass); 24:21,, , , ; with the infinitive strengthened by   (but 27:30 and Jacob was yet scarce gone out, &c.);  ;  ; ,  ; especially typical instances are  I will destroy it from off the face of the earth , &c.;  and will in no wise leave thee unpunished; cf. further, , ,.

The infinitive absolute is used before the verb with less emphasis:

(1) Frequently at the beginning of the statement; cf. Driver on. However, in these cases a special emphasis on the following verb is sometimes intended; cf. above, n, on, ; also , , , ,. Elsewhere the infinitive absolute is evidently used only as possessing a certain fullness of sound (hence for rhythmical reasons, like some uses of the separate pronoun, ), as in, , 20, , , , ,.

(2) Very frequently in conditional sentences after, &c. The infinitive absolute in this case emphasizes the importance of the con-