absolute is most frequently used in this way, corresponding to the infinitive of command in Greek, &c.[1]:—
[bb] (α) For an emphatic imperative,[2] e.g. שָׁמוֹר (thou shalt, ye shall), observe Dt 5; זָכוֹר (thou shalt) remember, Ex 13, 20 (the full form occurs in Dt 6 שָׁמוֹר תִּשְׁמְרוּן; 7:18 זָכֹר תִּזְכֹּר); Lv 2, Nu 4, 25, Dt 1, 2 K 5, Is 38, Jer 2, followed by a perfect consecutive; Jos 1, 2 K 3, Is 7, 14 (parallel with an imperative; in Na 2 three imperatives follow). But הַבֵּיט ψ 142 may be only an incorrect spelling of הַבֵּט imperative.[3]
[cc] (β) For the jussive, Lv 6, Nu 6, 2 K 11, Ez 23; cf. also Pr 17 (let it rather meet).
[dd] (γ) For the cohortative, Is 22b אָכוֹל וְשָׁתוֹ (the exclamation of the mocker); Ez 21, 23, 46; perhaps also Jer 31 (הָלוֹךְ).[4]
[ee] (δ) For the imperfect in emphatic promises, e.g. 2 K 4 ye shall eat and leave thereof; 19:29 (Is 37), 2 Ch 31; also in indignant questions, Jb 40 shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty?[5] (on the addition of the subject cf. the Rem. below); Jer 3 and thinkest thou to return again to me? Jer 7 ff. (six infinitives, continued by means of the perfect consecutive; cf. § 112 o).
[ff] (ε) For any historical tense (like the Latin historic infinitive) in lively narration (or enumeration) and description, even of what is still taking place in present time, e.g. Hos 4 swearing and breaking faith, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery (in these they are busied); 10:4 (after a perfect); Is 21, 59, Jer 8, 14, Jb 15; cf. further Jer 32, Ec 4.—In Ez 23, Pr 12, 15, and 25:4, the infinitive absolute is best rendered by the passive.
- ↑ Cf. also such infinitives in French as voir (page so and so, &c.), s’adresser..., se méfier des voleurs!
- ↑ Prätorius, op. cit., p. 547: the extraordinarily common use of the infinitive form qāṭōl in the sense of an imperative, jussive, or cohortative has long since caused it to be compared with the Arab. faʿāli. It thus appears that the infin. qāṭōl in Hebrew could be used from early times as a kind of fixed, invariable word of command.
- ↑ In Ez 21, for the infinitives construct הָסִיר, הָרִים, הַשְׁפִּיל (beside הַגְבֵּהַּ) read with Cornill the infinitives absolute הָסֵר, &c. The Kethîbh probably intends הָסֵיר, &c.
- ↑ In 2 S 3 the infinitive construct appears to be used instead of the cohortative, but אוֹשִׁיעַ should certainly be read for הוֹשִׁיעַ. Also in 1 K 22 (2 Ch 18), which was formerly included under this head (I will disguise myself and go into the battle), read אֶתְחַפֵּשׂ וְאָֹבא.
- ↑ In Jb 34 in a similar question instead of the infinitive constr. we should rather expect the infinitive absolute (הֶאָמֹר), unless with the LXX and Vulg. the participle with the article (הָֽאֹמֵר) is to be read.
