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The infinitive construct

A verbal noun, often with לְ, that carries purpose, time, or the gloss "to …".

With lamed

לִשְׁמֹר to guard, לֵאמֹר saying. After another verb it often marks purpose or the content of speech. לֵאמֹר is a formula after אמר and similar verbs.

לִשְׁמֹר
lishmor

to guard

לֵאמֹר
lemor

saying

לָלֶכֶת
lalekhet

to go

With other prepositions

בְּ plus infinitive is often "when …"; כְּ "as / when"; מִן "from doing." Suffixes attach: בְּשָׁמְרוֹ when he guarded. This is a major clause type in law and narrative.

בְּשָׁמְרוֹ
beshomro

when he guarded

Infinitive absolute

A different form (שָׁמוֹר) used for emphasis beside a finite verb, or sometimes as a command. Do not confuse it with the construct. Meet it, do not hunt it.

שָׁמוֹר תִּשְׁמֹר
shamor tishmor

you shall surely guard

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