An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

Gen 40:20
[Page 602] d In an accusative frame, infinitives construct are common as objects or as
adverbial accusatives. The infinitive may occur as a goal word with a verb; this
construction is customarily called a verbal complement because the infinitive is an
obligatory constituent to “complete” the situation of the verb (## 10–12).
11.
12.
10. ךְ֑ ל ָ הּחֹכּ־ת ָ תּ ֵ ףסֹת־אֹ ֵ ל It will not add giving of its strength to you (i.e., will no
longer give its strength).
Gen 4:12
ךָי ֶל֫ א ֵ ר ֵבּ דּ ַ ל ַכוּנ אֹ ל We are unable to speak to you.
ךָדְּ חְ ַפּ תתּ ֵ לחֵ ָ
Gen 24:50
א I will begin to put terror of you…
Deut 2:25
Other verbs that govern verbal complements include הבא ‘to be willing’ (Deut
2:30, 10:10), שׁקבּ Piel ‘to seek’ (Exod 4:24), עדי “to know (how)’ (1 Kgs 3:7), ןאמ
‘to refuse’ (Num 20:21), ןתנ ‘to allow, cause’ (Num 20:21). 13 When the infinitive
construct occurs with verbs which have a distinctly adverbial force (denoting place,
time, manner, etc.), 14 it is best construed as an adverbial accusative (## 13–15); the
construction is usually to be translated by rendering the infinitive as a finite verb and
the finite verb or participle by an adverb. 15
13. ׃וֹשׂ ֲע תָּ לְ ַכּ֫ סְ ה ִ התָּ ַע Now you have played a fool with respect to doing (it)
(i.e., you have done foolishly).
14. אֹ בּ ןתֶּ רְ הַ ִמ עוּדּ ַ מַ
׃םוֹיה ַ
15.
ן גּ֑ ֵ ַנ בטִ ֵ
Gen 31:28
Why did you hasten with respect to coming today (i.e.,
why did you come so quickly today)?
Exod 2:1–8
מוּ one who does well with respect to playing (i.e., one who
plays well)
Ezek 33:32
e As a substantive the infinitive construct may be definite, occurring not only with
suffixes but also with the article, לֹכּ (notably in late Biblical Hebrew), etc.
17.
16.
תרֵ ָשּׁ ה ַ י ֵל ְכּ־ל ָכּ 16
all the articles (used) for (the) ministering
Num 4:12
׃בדֵּ נַ תְ ה־ל ִ ָכּ all (of) the freewill offering(s)
Ezra 1:6
13 See GB 2. 54–55 (§14d*) for other relevant verbs.
14 Often denominatives in Piel or Hiphil.
15 For other relevant verbs, see GB 2. 54–55 (§14d*).
16 The phrase occurs without the article in 2 Chr 24:14.