20.10 Meaning of ∞

Often used as a verbal noun - “to hear” or “hearing”

• In English, “to hear”, “to speak”, or “to be” are examples of “infinitive” verbs.
• ∞ plus prefix ל
  • Try “to x”, “x-ing”, or “by x-ing” (where x is the verb in question)
  • It is good TO PRAISE Adonai = לְהֹדוֹת
  • Obey BY WALKING in His ways = לָלֶכֶת
• Sometimes indicates purpose or result: IN ORDER TO SEE the nakedness of the land = לִרְאוֹת
• Something imminent: The sun was ABOUT TO SET = לָבוֹא
• ∞ plus prefix ב or כ is often temporal
  • Often included with וַיְהִי or וְהָיָה
  • Past time: WHEN Israel DWELT = וַיְהִי בִּשְׁכֹּן יִשְֹרָאֵל
  • Future time: WHEN YOU CROSS = וְהָיָה בְּעָבְרְכֶם