נַחְנוּ

נַחְנוּ

we

Definition

נַחְנוּ (nachnû) is a first-person plural pronoun meaning 'we'. It is a shortened, poetic, or emphatic form of the more common אֲנַחְנוּ (anachnû). In its five biblical occurrences, it consistently functions as the subject of a clause, emphasizing the collective identity and agency of the speakers. For example, in Genesis 42:11, Joseph's brothers use it to assert their innocence: 'We are honest men.' In Lamentations 3:42, the prophet, speaking for the community, uses it in a confession: 'We have transgressed and have rebelled.'

Biblical Usage

This word is used only five times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative (Genesis 42:11, Exodus 16:7-8, Numbers 32:32) and poetic (Lamentations 3:42) contexts. Its usage is always in direct speech where a group is making a collective declaration, often in a context of defense, promise, or confession. In Exodus 16:7-8, Moses and Aaron use it to convey God's message about the people's complaints. In Numbers 32:32, the tribes of Reuben and Gad use it to pledge their commitment to help conquer Canaan.

Etymology

נַחְנוּ is a contracted form of the standard Hebrew pronoun אֲנַחְנוּ (H587, 'anachnû'), which also means 'we'. This contraction, dropping the initial aleph (א), is a feature of later Biblical Hebrew and is often found in poetic or elevated speech. It is cognate with other Semitic first-person plural pronouns, such as Aramaic אֲנַחְנָא (anachna).

Semantic Range

While a simple pronoun, its usage in key passages highlights themes of corporate identity, responsibility, and confession before God. In Lamentations 3:42, its use transforms a personal lament into a communal confession of sin, underscoring the biblical concept of shared guilt and repentance. In the Pentateuchal narratives, its emphatic use by characters like Joseph's brothers or the Transjordan tribes often marks critical moments of truth-telling or covenant-making, drawing attention to the integrity (or lack thereof) of the collective 'we' speaking. In ancient Hebrew society, individual identity was often deeply embedded within family, tribe, and nation. The emphatic use of 'we' (נַחְנוּ) in declarations reinforced this collective solidarity and shared responsibility. When used in legal or covenantal contexts (e.g., Numbers 32:32), it carried the weight of a binding, communal oath. אֲנַחְנוּ (anachnû, H587) — The standard, more common form of the first-person plural pronoun 'we'.

Word Details