אָֽנֹכִ֫י (a.no.khi)
a.no.khi
I
H:PerP-CSQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 313 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:PerP-CS
Word Overview
The Hebrew word anokhi is a first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It appears in over three hundred verses, with significant usage in Genesis, Deuteronomy, and Jeremiah. As a basic building block of speech, it identifies the speaker as distinct from the listener or the subject being discussed.
While often translated simply as "I," anokhi carries a weightier tone than its common counterpart ani. Lexical sources note that it frequently appears alongside first-person verbs for emphasis, particularly in later biblical texts like Ecclesiastes. This pleonastic usage reinforces the speaker’s personal agency or emotional state, making the statement more vivid and immediate.
One notable feature is its occasional function as a complete sentence, implying "I am." In Genesis 15:7, God uses anokhi to introduce Himself without needing an additional verb, establishing His identity with authority. This direct self-identification underscores the word’s role in asserting presence and ownership within the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anokhi is a simple but powerful declaration: "I." In Hebrew thought, this pronoun carries more weight than the common alternative ani. It signals personal presence and agency. When God speaks it, He establishes His identity with authority. When humans speak it, they own their actions or needs. This distinction reminds us that our words define who we are before others and before God.
In Genesis 15:7, God uses anokhi to introduce Himself without a verb. He simply says, "I am your shield." This direct statement offers assurance in times of fear. It shows that God does not hide behind titles but stands present with His people. We can trust that the One who speaks is real and near.
Our own use of "I" matters too. In Genesis 3:10, Adam says, "I heard... I was afraid." This confession reveals his broken relationship with God. Yet even in failure, speaking honestly allows for grace. When we acknowledge our true state, we open the door for healing and restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 313 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I263×
- and/ I59×
- [am] I12×
- ¿/ I2×
- [do] I1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָנֹכִ֖י40×
- אָנֹכִ֥י33×
- אָנֹכִ֛י25×
- אָנֹכִ֣י23×
- אָֽנֹכִי֙20×
- אָנֹכִ֤י16×
- וְ/אָנֹכִ֖י13×
- אָנֹכִ֜י12×
- וְ/אָנֹכִ֣י11×
- אָנֹכִי֙11×
- אָנֹכִ֞י10×
- אָנֹכִ֗י10×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:10
The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
Adam’s repeated use of "I" highlights his personal fear and hiding, marking the moment of human self-awareness after sin.
-
Genesis 24:27
He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Yahweh has led me on the way to the house of my master’s relatives.”
The servant credits Yahweh with leading him, using anokhi to affirm God’s faithful guidance in everyday circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does anokhi mean in Hebrew?
Why does anokhi carry more weight than ani?
Where does God use anokhi to introduce Himself?
Every Occurrence (313 verses across 24 books)
Genesis 52 verses
The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
Genesis 4:9Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 7:4In seven days, I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy every living thing…
Genesis 15:1After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your…
Genesis 15:2Abram said, “Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of…
Genesis 15:14I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth;
Genesis 16:5Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had…
Genesis 16:8He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where did you come from? Where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the face…
Genesis 18:27Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, although I am dust and ashes.
Genesis 19:19See now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown…
Genesis 20:6God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld…
Genesis 21:24Abraham said, “I will swear.”
Genesis 21:26Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.”
Genesis 23:4“I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my…
Genesis 24:3I will make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son…
Genesis 24:13Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
Genesis 24:24She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”
Genesis 24:27He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth…
Genesis 24:31He said, “Come in, you blessed of Yahweh. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the…
Genesis 24:34He said, “I am Abraham’s servant.
Genesis 24:37My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose…
Genesis 24:42I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go—
Genesis 24:43behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will…
Genesis 25:22The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it is like this, why do I live?” She went to inquire of…
Genesis 25:30Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with some of that red stew, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom.
Genesis 25:32Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”
Genesis 26:24Yahweh appeared to him the same night, and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, for I am with…
Genesis 27:11Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.
Genesis 27:19Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of…
Genesis 28:15Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not…
Genesis 28:16Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I didn’t know it.”
Genesis 28:20Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to…
Genesis 29:33She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me…
Genesis 30:1When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or…
Genesis 30:2Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in God’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the…
Genesis 30:3She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.”
Genesis 30:30For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I…
Genesis 31:5and said to them, “I see the expression on your father’s face, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my…
Genesis 31:13I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to me. Now arise, get out from this land,…
Genesis 31:38“These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not cast their young, and I haven’t…
Genesis 31:39That which was torn of animals, I didn’t bring to you. I bore its loss. Of my hand you required it, whether stolen by…
Genesis 37:16He said, “I am looking for my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are feeding the flock.”
Genesis 38:17He said, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” She said, “Will you give me a pledge, until you send it?”
Genesis 38:25When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law, saying, “I am with child by the man who owns these.” She also…
Genesis 43:9I’ll be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don’t bring him to you, and set him before you,…
Genesis 46:3He said, “I am God, the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down into Egypt, for there I will make of you a great…
Genesis 46:4I will go down with you into Egypt. I will also surely bring you up again. Joseph’s hand will close your eyes.”
Genesis 47:30but when I sleep with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying place.” Joseph said, “I…
Genesis 48:21Israel said to Joseph, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers.
Genesis 50:5‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying. Bury me in my grave which I have dug for myself in the land of…
Genesis 50:21Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to…
Genesis 50:24Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land…