The infinitive construct in Biblical Hebrew is a syntactic linchpin, functioning as a verbal complement that completes, clarifies, and intensifies the action of a preceding verb. Governed by prepositions like לְ and often bearing pronominal suffixes, it appears with verbs of volition, motion, and aspectual progression to express purpose, intent, or result. Whether describing divine election (“to be his people”) or emotional transitions (“to weep”), the infinitive construct fuses grammatical precision with theological resonance. Its compact form and semantic richness make it a cornerstone of Hebrew verbal economy, enabling narrative cohesion and liturgical solemnity with elegant efficiency.
Exploring the Complementary Role of the Infinitive Construct
The infinitive construct in Biblical Hebrew often serves as a verbal complement, forming dependent clauses that complete the meaning of a preceding verb. In this syntactic role, it functions similarly to infinitive phrases in English such as “to go,” “to eat,” or “to speak,” but with unique constraints and features shaped by Hebrew grammar. The infinitive construct is rarely used in isolation; it is almost always governed by prepositions or finite verbs and can also include pronominal suffixes.
This article investigates how the infinitive construct operates as a verbal complement—typically following modal, volitional, or motion verbs—to clarify or complete their action. We will explore patterns, prepositional structures, and theological nuances where the infinitive construct is central.
Defining Verbal Complementation in Biblical Hebrew
A verbal complement in Biblical Hebrew is a non-finite verb form that completes or specifies the action of a main verb. The infinitive construct plays this role by forming tightly bound phrases that syntactically and semantically depend on the preceding verb.
Verbs that frequently take infinitive constructs as complements include:
- Verbs of desire or intention (e.g., רָצָה, אָבָה, חָפֵץ)
- Verbs of command or obligation (e.g., צִוָּה, יָכֹל)
- Verbs of beginning or ceasing (e.g., הֵחֵל, חָדַל)
- Verbs of motion or readiness (e.g., קוּם, בּוֹא)
These constructions allow the infinitive to express purpose, action, or condition attached to the main verb, functioning as a single verbal idea.
Infinitive Constructs Following Volitional and Modal Verbs
When a verb expresses desire, willingness, or ability, the infinitive construct is often employed as a complement to complete the sense of what the subject wishes or is able to do.
כִּ֤י מֵאַ֙בְתָּ֙ לָב֣וֹא אֵלָ֔י
Here, the finite verb מֵאַבְתָּ (“you were unwilling”) is complemented by the infinitive construct לָבוֹא (“to come”). The infinitive construct completes the idea: “you were unwilling to come.”
This syntactic structure is robust across Hebrew narrative prose, especially when describing inner dispositions and volitional barriers.
Verbs of Beginning, Continuing, or Ceasing
Another domain where the infinitive construct functions as a verbal complement is with verbs of temporal or aspectual progression—beginning an action, continuing it, or bringing it to a halt.
וַיָּחֶל מֹשֶׁה לְפַלֵּל
The phrase לְפַלֵּל is the infinitive construct of פָּלַל (“to pray”), dependent on וַיָּחֶל (“he began”). Together, they form the verbal complement “Moshe began to pray.” This combination reflects aspectual progression, indicating the initiation of an action.
חָדַל לְדַבֵּר
In this case, the infinitive construct לְדַבֵּר complements the verb חָדַל (“ceased”), producing “he ceased to speak.”
Infinitive Constructs with Prepositions in Complementary Use
The most frequent preposition governing the infinitive construct in verbal complement constructions is לְ. The לְ preposition indicates direction, purpose, or intent and seamlessly links the infinitive to the governing verb.
רָצוּ לָשׁוּב אֶל־מִצְרָיִם
The verb רָצוּ (“they wanted”) is complemented by לָשׁוּב (“to return”), forming the unified sense: “they wanted to return to Mitsrayim.” The preposition לְ is essential for connecting the infinitive and clarifying the direction of the volition.
Infinitive Constructs Following Verbs of Motion
Verbs of motion, such as קוּם, בּוֹא, and יָלַךְ, often take infinitive constructs to specify the action undertaken through the motion.
וַיָּקָם לָלֶכֶת
This construction means “he arose to go.” The verb of motion וַיָּקָם is complemented by the infinitive construct לָלֶכֶת, forming a unified verbal expression of purpose or intended action. Such structures are frequently used in narrative to convey progression or transitions in action.
וַיָּבֹא לְבָרֵךְ
Similarly, וַיָּבֹא (“he came”) + לְבָרֵךְ (“to bless”) shows an action of intent that complements the verb of motion.
Pronominal Suffixes and Object Clarity
Infinitive constructs can take pronominal suffixes, typically indicating the object of the action denoted by the infinitive. This usage helps specify participants involved in the verbal idea when the finite verb does not make them explicit.
הֵחֵל לְשַׁלְּחָם
The infinitive construct לְשַׁלְּחָם (“to send them”) includes the 3mp suffix -ם, which marks the object of the action (“them”). The subject of both verbs (“he began” and “he sent”) remains the same. This use of pronominal suffixes clarifies who receives the action. When the subject of the infinitive differs from the main verb, dative forms or context must disambiguate.
Comparing Syntactic Flexibility: Hebrew vs. Indo-European Languages
| Language | Form of Infinitive Complement | Inflection Allowed? | Subject Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biblical Hebrew | Infinitive construct with לְ + pronominal suffix | Limited (suffixes only) | Via suffixes or implied |
| Classical Greek | Infinitive form with optional accusative subject | No | Explicit accusative subject |
| Latin | Infinitive verb form; subject in accusative | No | Explicit accusative subject |
| English | “To” + base verb (e.g., “to go”) | No | Typically same as matrix verb unless stated |
This comparison highlights the unique reliance of Biblical Hebrew on morphological suffixes for clarity within infinitive constructions.
Infinitive Constructs as Markers of Purpose and Planning
Beyond simply completing a verb, the infinitive construct can signify purpose, especially with verbs of intent or divine will. This use is particularly evident in covenantal and theological narratives.
בָּחַר בָּנוּ לִהְיוֹת לוֹ לְעָם
“He chose us to be his people.” The infinitive לִהְיוֹת expresses the intended result or purpose of divine election. These constructions often align theology with grammar, making the infinitive construct indispensable for expressing divine aims or human destiny.
Stylistic Elevation and Predictable Patterning
Because of its flexibility and precision, the infinitive construct is common in prose and instructional texts. It offers both economy and clarity, especially when paired with high-frequency verbs. The regularity of its structure, especially with לְ and suffixes, renders it one of the more predictable and teachable aspects of Biblical Hebrew syntax, despite its syntactic dependency.
Infinitive Constructs as Structural Glue in Biblical Narrative
In Hebrew narrative, infinitive constructs often serve as transitional structures that “glue” clauses together. They are used to describe sequences of intent, movement, or subordinate action, building cohesion without relying on subordinate conjunctions.
וַיָּשָׁב לִבְכּוֹת
“And he returned to weep.” The infinitive לִבְכּוֹת functions here to specify the act performed upon return. This structural technique is common in descriptions of emotional, ritual, or narrative change.
Infinitive Complements and Theological Emphasis
In prophetic and legal texts, infinitive complements are often used to convey theological commands or divine imperatives with sustained solemnity. The structure may parallel covenantal obligations or eternal truths by fixing the action in a timeless verbal form.
לַעֲשׂוֹת חֻקּוֹתָיו וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו
“To do his statutes and his judgments”—this infinitive construct לַעֲשׂוֹת serves as the object of divine command or praise. The infinitive gives weight and universality to the action, especially in liturgical or creedal statements.
Infinitive Complements as a Reflection of Hebrew Verbal Economy
The use of the infinitive construct as a verbal complement reflects Biblical Hebrew’s reliance on concise verbal chains and morphological economy. Rather than subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions, the language uses non-finite forms that pack rich syntactic and semantic content into compact expressions. This feature allows Hebrew prose and poetry to remain rhythmically tight and semantically rich, essential for legal texts, narrative transitions, and theological proclamations.
The infinitive construct, though syntactically dependent, operates at the center of verbal architecture in Biblical Hebrew, offering clarity, theological force, and poetic fluidity.
