אֲנִי (a.ni)
a.ni
I
H:PerP-CSQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 588 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:PerP-CS
Word Overview
The Hebrew word aniy is the standard first-person singular pronoun, meaning "I." It serves as the basic identifier for the speaker in biblical narratives and poetry. While it translates simply to "I," its usage often carries a specific rhetorical weight that distinguishes it from other forms.
According to lexicons, aniy is frequently contracted from the longer form anokhi. This contraction does not diminish its importance; rather, it is often employed for emphasis or in direct speech to assert personal identity and agency. For instance, God uses this form when declaring covenant promises, such as telling Abram, "I am your shield" (Genesis 15:1), or identifying Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 6:2). The pronoun anchors the speaker’s presence in the text, making the statement personal and immediate.
Its occurrence is widespread, appearing in nearly six hundred verses across the Old Testament. It is particularly prominent in the books of Isaiah, Leviticus, and Jeremiah. In these contexts, aniy marks divine speech or human declaration with clarity. Translators consistently render it as "I," preserving the directness of the original speaker’s voice without adding interpretive layers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word aniy is simply the Hebrew pronoun for "I." It appears nearly six hundred times in the Old Testament. While it seems basic, this small word carries significant weight when God speaks. In Genesis 15:7, Yahweh says to Abram, "I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees." Here, the direct use of "I" anchors the promise in a personal relationship. It is not an abstract force but a specific person keeping a covenant.
This pronoun invites us into the narrative with clarity. When Abraham tells his servants in Genesis 22:5 that he and the boy will go worship and come back, the simple "I" reflects his faith and agency. The text does not hide behind passive voice or vague titles. It presents a speaker who is present and accountable. This directness allows readers to see themselves in the story, recognizing that their own voices matter in how they respond to God’s calls.
Understanding this word helps us hear the Bible more clearly. We encounter a God who identifies Himself personally and humans who declare their stance before Him. The simplicity of "I" removes barriers, making the divine-human interaction immediate. It reminds us that faith involves personal engagement rather than distant observation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 588 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I467×
- and/ I140×
- [am] I12×
- of me6×
- me4×
- [will] I3×
- [was] I2×
- I [am]2×
- <and>/ I2×
- ¿/ I1×
- who/ I1×
- that/ I1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲנִ֥י88×
- אֲנִ֣י83×
- אֲנִ֖י59×
- אֲנִי֙47×
- אֲנִ֤י35×
- אֲנִ֛י30×
- וַ/אֲנִ֣י27×
- אָֽנִי\׃21×
- וַ/אֲנִ֖י17×
- וַ/אֲנִי֙16×
- אָ֔נִי16×
- וַ/אֲנִ֗י15×
Key Verses
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Genesis 15:7
He said to Abram, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”
God uses this pronoun to establish His identity as the one who brought Abram out of Ur, grounding the covenant in His personal action.
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Genesis 22:5
Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come back to you.”
Abraham’s use of "I" alongside the boy highlights his personal commitment to worship and his trust in God’s provision during a difficult test.
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Genesis 9:9
“As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you,
God declares, "As for me, behold, I establish my covenant," using this pronoun to emphasize His unilateral initiative in preserving life after the flood.
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Genesis 27:34
When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, my father.”
Esau cries out, "Bless me, even me also," where the repetition of the first-person reference underscores his desperate realization of lost opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word aniy mean?
How is aniy different from anokhi?
Why does this word matter for understanding biblical promises?
Every Occurrence (588 verses across 36 books)
Genesis 38 verses
I, even I, will bring the flood of waters on this earth, to destroy all flesh having the breath of life from under the…
Genesis 9:9“As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you,
Genesis 9:12God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with…
Genesis 14:23that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram…
Genesis 15:7He said to Abram, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”
Genesis 17:1When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and…
Genesis 17:4“As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
Genesis 18:13Yahweh said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?’
Genesis 18:17Yahweh said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do,
Genesis 22:5Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there. We will worship, and come…
Genesis 24:45Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to…
Genesis 27:8Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you.
Genesis 27:24He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He said, “I am.”
Genesis 27:32Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?” He said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”
Genesis 27:34When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father,…
Genesis 27:38Esau said to his father, “Do you have just one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, my father.” Esau lifted up…
Genesis 28:13Behold, Yahweh stood above it, and said, “I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. I will…
Genesis 31:44Now come, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be for a witness between me and you.”
Genesis 31:52May this heap be a witness, and the pillar be a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and that you will…
Genesis 33:14Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on gently, according to the pace of the livestock that…
Genesis 34:30Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me, to make me odious to the inhabitants of the land, among the…
Genesis 35:11God said to him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and…
Genesis 37:10He told it to his father and to his brothers. His father rebuked him, and said to him, “What is this dream that you…
Genesis 37:30He returned to his brothers, and said, “The child is no more; and I, where will I go?”
Genesis 40:16When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold,…
Genesis 41:9Then the chief cup bearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I remember my faults today.
Genesis 41:11We dreamed a dream in one night, he and I. Each man dreamed according to the interpretation of his dream.
Genesis 41:15Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you,…
Genesis 41:44Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh. Without you, no man shall lift up his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”
Genesis 42:18Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this, and live, for I fear God.
Genesis 42:37Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will…
Genesis 43:14May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am…
Genesis 45:3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were…
Genesis 45:4Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” They came near. He said, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you…
Genesis 48:7As for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some…
Genesis 48:22Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword…
Genesis 49:29He instructed them, and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in…
Genesis 50:19Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God?