21.4 QA Meaning

Frequently, the absolute serves to emphasize a finite verb from the same root - it has no direct English equivalent

  • The Infinitive Absolute form may appear before or after the finite verb
  • The Absolute can emphasize the CERTAINTY
    • 2 Kings 1:16: מוֹת תָּמוּת =
    • You will SURELY die (lit: dying you will die)
      • As if to say “There is zero chance you will NOT die!”
      • A mnemonic might be: There is ABSOLUTE certainty that the verb’s action will occur
  • The Absolute can emphasize the EXTENT
    • Judges 1:28: וְהוֹרֵישׁ לֹא הוֹרִישׁוֹ
    • He did not COMPLETELY drive him out (note these verbs are Hiphil stem)
  • The Absolute may substitute for another verb conjugation
    • Often, the absolute substitutes for an Imperative verb
      • Deuteronomy 5:12: שָׁמוֹר אֶת־יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת
      • Observe Shabbat!
  • The Absolute can denote ongoing action that is often contemporaneous with another action
    • 2 Sam 15:30: וְעָלוּ עָלֹה וּבָכֹה
    • They went up, weeping as they went (lit: they went up, going up and weeping)