אֲנַחְנוּ
we
Definition
אֲנַחְנוּ is the first-person plural independent pronoun meaning 'we' or 'us.' It is used to refer to a group that includes the speaker, often emphasizing the collective identity or action of the group. In some contexts, it can carry an inclusive sense, uniting the speaker with the audience, as seen in covenantal language where God identifies with His people (e.g., Genesis 13:8, where Abram says to Lot, 'we are brethren'). It consistently denotes the subject of a verb or stands alone for emphasis, with no major shift in meaning across its occurrences.
Biblical Usage
This word appears 113 times across the Old Testament, used in narrative, dialogue, and poetic texts. It is common in speeches where individuals or groups identify themselves, such as Joseph's brothers emphasizing their unity as 'honest men' (Genesis 42:11, 13) or in confessions of collective guilt (Genesis 42:21). It frequently occurs in contexts of communal declaration, prayer, or dispute, with no significant pattern of usage limited to specific books.
Etymology
אֲנַחְנוּ is derived from the singular pronoun אָנֹכִי (ʼānōḵî, H595, 'I'), with the addition of the plural suffix -נוּ. This formation is typical of Semitic languages, where independent pronouns are built from a root indicating self. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages like Aramaic and Arabic, showing a shared linguistic heritage for the first-person plural.
Semantic Range
As a basic pronoun, אֲנַחְנוּ is theologically significant in passages highlighting corporate identity and responsibility before God. It underscores the communal nature of God's covenant people, as seen when God includes Himself with Israel (e.g., in the 'we' of divine action or solidarity). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by emphasizing collective faith, sin, and redemption, moving beyond individualistic interpretations to a biblical view of community.
In ancient Hebrew culture, the use of 'we' often reflected a strong group orientation, where identity was deeply tied to family, tribe, or nation. This contrasts with modern individualistic tendencies, highlighting the importance of communal decisions and shared fate, as in the brothers' collective plea in Genesis 42.
אָנוּ (ʼānû, H587a) — a shorter, poetic or late biblical variant with identical meaning. אֲנִי (ʼănî, H589) — singular 'I,' the base form. נַחְנוּ (nachnû) — a variant spelling found in some texts, same meaning.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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