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 512; זָכוֹר (thou shalt) remember, Ex 133, 208 (the full form occurs in Dt 617 שָׁמוֹר תִּשְׁמְרוּן; 7:18 זָכֹר תִּזְכֹּר); Lv 26, Nu 42, 2517, Dt 116, 2 K 510, Is 385, Jer 22, followed by a perfect consecutive; Jos 113, 2 K 316, Is 74, 1431 (parallel with an imperative; in Na 22 three imperatives follow). But הַבֵּיט ψ 1425 may be only an incorrect spelling of הַבֵּט imperative.[3]
[cc] (β) For the jussive, Lv 67, Nu 65, 2 K 1115, Ez 2346; cf. also Pr 1712 (let it rather meet).
[dd] (γ) For the cohortative, Is 2213b אָכוֹל וְשָׁתוֹ (the exclamation of the mocker); Ez 2131, 2330, 46; perhaps also Jer 312 (הָלוֹךְ).[4]
[ee] (δ) For the imperfect in emphatic promises, e.g. 2 K 443 ye shall eat and leave thereof; 19:29 (Is 3730), 2 Ch 3110; also in indignant questions, Jb 402 shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty?[5] (on the addition of the subject cf. the Rem. below); Jer 31 and thinkest thou to return again to me? Jer 79 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 42 swearing and breaking faith, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery (in these they are busied); 10:4 (after a perfect); Is 215, 594, Jer 815, 1419, Jb 1535; cf. further Jer 3233, Ec 42.—In Ez 2330, Pr 127, 1522, 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 2131, 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 318 the infinitive construct appears to be used instead of the cohortative, but אוֹשִׁיעַ should certainly be read for הוֹשִׁיעַ. Also in 1 K 2230 (2 Ch 1829), which was formerly included under this head (I will disguise myself and go into the battle), read אֶתְחַפֵּשׂ וְאָֹבא.
- ↑ In Jb 3418 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.
