[gg] Rem. The subject is sometimes added to the infinitive absolute when it takes the place of the finite verb, e.g. Lv 6, Nu 15, Dt 15, ψ 17, Pr 17, Jb 40, Ec 4, Est 9. So, probably, also in Gn 17, Ex 12, although here כָּל־זָכָר according to § 121 a might also be taken as an object with a passive verb; cf. Est 3. In 1 S 25, 33 the subject follows an infinitive absolute which is co-ordinated with an infinitive construct, see above, e.
[a] 1. The infinitive construct, like the infinitive absolute, may also represent a nomen verbale (§ 45 a), but of a much more flexible character than the infinitive absolute (cf. § 113 a). Its close relation with nouns properly so called is especially seen in the readiness with which the infinitive construct may be used for any case whatever; thus,
(a) As the nominative of the subject, e.g. Gn 2 לֹא־טוֹב הֱיוֹת הָֽאָדָם לְבַדּוֹ, literally, not good is the being of man in his separation; Gn 30, 1 S 23, Is 7, Pr 17, 25, 24 (but cf. 21:9 טוֹב לָשֶׁ֫בֶת in the same statement); ψ 32 prop. there is not a coming near unto thee, but the text is probably corrupt. With a feminine predicate, 1 S 18, Jer 2.
[b] (b) As genitive, e.g. Ec 3 עֵת סְפוֹד וְעֵת רְקוֹד a time of mourning and a time of dancing; Gn 2, 29, Neh 12, 2 Ch 24. This equally includes, according to § 101 a, all those cases in which the infinitive construct depends on a preposition (see below, d) [and Driver, Tenses, § 206].
[c] (c) As accusative of the object, e.g. 1 K 3 לֹא אֵדַע צֵאת וָבֹא I know not the going out or the coming in (I know not how to go out and come in); Gn 21, 31, Nu 20, Is 1, 37 (even with אֵת), Jer 6, Jb 15 (cf. for the use of the infinitive absolute as object, § 113 f); as accusative with a verb expressing fullness, Is 11.
[d] 2. The construction of the infinitive with prepositions (as in Greek, ἐν τῷ εἶναι, διὰ τὸ εἶναι, &c.) may usually be resolved in English into the finite verb with a conjunction, e.g. Nu 35 בְּפִגְעוֹ־בוֹ in his meeting him, i.e. if (as soon as) he meets him; Gn 27 (עַד־שׁוּב); Is 30 יַ֫עַן מָֽאָסְכֶם because ye despise; Jer 2 עַל־אָמְרֵךְ because thou sayest; Gn 27 and his eyes were dim מֵרְאֹת from seeing, i.e. so that he could not see.
[e] This use of the infinitive construct is especially frequent in connexion with בְּ or כְּ to express time-determinations (in English resolved into a temporal clause, as above the combination of the infinitive with יַ֫עַן or עַל־ is resolved into a causal clause), especially after וַיְהִי (see the
