Page:Introductory Hebrew Grammar- Hebrew Syntax (1902).djvu/133

 phrases express only a single idea, as וַיַּעַן וַיֹּאמֶר  answered and said, וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד   conceived and bore = she bore, Gen. 21:2. Text 1 S. 1:20 is probably quite right. Comp. 1 Chr. 4:17 where ותהר  alone is used for the whole phrase.

Rem. 5. In some instances the modifying verb stands second, Jer. 4:5 קִרְאוּ מַלְאוּ  cry with full voice, cf. 12:6 קָֽרְאוּ מָלֵא. Is. 53:11, Jo. 2:26.

THE NOMEN ACTIONIS OR INFINITIVE

1. Infinitive Absolute

§ 84. The infin. abs. as an abstract noun expresses the bare idea of the verbal action, apart from the modifications which subject-inflections or tense-forms lend to it. Used along with the inflected form it gives emphasis to the expression of the action, and, when used alone, graphically represents the action in its exercise, continuance, prevalence, and the like, sometimes almost with the force of an exclamation.

Construction of inf. abs. — Expressing the bare notion of the verb the inf. abs. refuses to enter into close construction, receiving neither suffixes nor prep. It may, however —

(a) Be the subj. in a nominal sent., esp. when the pred. is טוֹב  good, or לא טוב   (in poet. בַּל טוב   ) not good, but also otherwise. Pr. 28:21 הַכֶּר־פָּנִים לֹא־טוֹב  to be partial is not good. 1 S. 15:23, Jer. 10:5, Pr. 24:23; 25:27, Job 25:2. In Job 6:25 it is subj. to a verbal sent.

(b) Or the obj. of a verb. Is. 1:17 לִמְדוּ הֵיטֵב  learn to do well; 42:24 לֹא אָבוּ הָלוֹדּ   they willed not to walk. Is. 7:15; 57:20, Pr. 15:12, Job 9:18; 13:3. Rarely in gen. Is. 14:23 בְּמַטְאֲטֵא הַשְׁמֵד  with the besom of destruction. Pr. 1:3; 21:16. Cf. Rem. 1.

(c) It may govern like its own finite verb, e.g. acc., Hos. 10:4 כָּרֹת בְּרִית  making covenants; Is. 22:13 הָרֹג בָּקָר וְשָׁחֹט צֹאן  killing oxen and slaying sheep. Is. 5:5; 21:5;