infinitive construct – Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

In Hebrew, an infinitive construct is by far the more common of the two kinds of infinitive (infinitive absolutes never have a prefix). Infinitive constructs can be used as adverbs and as substantives.

Adverbial Uses:

When prefixed with a ל, it often has an adverbial sense. The common uses are to answer the question “why?” (purpose or intention), or to show result, or to answer “when?”.

When prefixed with a ב, it can answer “when?” or “why?”.

If it is answering “when?”, then translate it using a dependent clause with “when” or “while” as your DMW; when you were studying, while you were fleeing, etc.

If it is answering “why?”, then translate it using a dependent clause using “because” as your DMW; because you were teaching, etc. video

Substantival Uses:

Hebrew also has a complementary infinitive which appears after certain verbs.

As a substantive, an infinitive can be the subject or object of a verb. video

Infinitive with pronominal suffixes:

An infinitive often has a pronominal suffix added to it. This suffix can be either the agent of the infinitive (KHW 35.6) or the object of the infinitive. video

Infinitives are negated with בִּלְתִּי. video