מִי (mi)
mi
who?
H:IntgQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 304 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Intg
Word Overview
The Hebrew word mi is an interrogative pronoun used primarily to ask "who?" regarding people. It stands in contrast to mah, which asks about things. This distinction helps clarify that biblical questions often focus on personal identity and agency rather than abstract objects. The sources note that while it rarely applies to inanimate items, it does so when those items imply a person or group behind them.
Mi carries several nuances beyond simple identification. It can mean "whose" in indirect questions or express surprise with phrases like "would that." In rhetorical contexts, it sometimes translates as "whoever" or "anyone," emphasizing openness to any potential answer. For example, Genesis 24:65 uses it to ask "who is that man?" while Exodus 10:6 employs the form mi ve-mi to ask "who are those who go?" highlighting a group's identity.
A notable feature of mi is its flexibility in construction. It frequently appears with prefixes or suffixes, allowing it to function as "whom" or "his" depending on the grammatical context. This adaptability makes it a versatile tool for dialogue and narrative. Its frequent use in books like Isaiah and Job suggests it plays a key role in theological debates and personal laments where identity and responsibility are central themes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mi is simply Hebrew for "who." It directs attention to persons rather than objects or abstract ideas. In Scripture, questions beginning with this pronoun often reveal deep personal stakes, whether in moments of fear, surprise, or theological debate.
When Moses asked, "Who am I?" he was grappling with his own inadequacy before God's call (Exodus 3:11). This honest questioning is part of the faith journey. God does not dismiss such doubts but responds with presence and purpose.
Similarly, when Isaac asked, "Who are you?" in Genesis 27:32, the question carried the weight of broken trust and sudden change. These moments show that identity and relationship matter deeply to God. He invites us into honest dialogue, even when our questions arise from confusion or fear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 304 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- who?254×
- and/ who?55×
- whom?40×
- [belongs] to/ whom?7×
- [belong] to/ whom?4×
- whoever3×
- to/ whom?3×
- and/ whoever3×
- from/ whom?2×
- of/ whom?1×
- by/ whom?1×
- by/ which/ of/ whom?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִֽי\־64×
- מִ֣י59×
- מִ֥י40×
- מִי\־38×
- מִ֤י38×
- וּ/מִ֣י19×
- וּ/מִ֥י18×
- מִ֖י17×
- מִ֚י9×
- מִ֗י6×
- וּ/מִֽי\־6×
- מִי֙5×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 3:11
Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
Moses uses this word to question his own identity and fitness for the task God has assigned him.
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Genesis 27:32
Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?” He said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”
Isaac asks this to identify the person who just received a blessing through deception, revealing the shock of the moment.
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Exodus 15:11
Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
This word introduces a poetic declaration comparing Yahweh's unique holiness and power against all other supposed deities.
-
Genesis 3:11
God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
God uses this question to confront Adam about his awareness of nakedness, initiating the first divine inquiry after the fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word mi mean?
How is mi different from other Hebrew question words?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (304 verses across 32 books)
Genesis 16 verses
God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
Genesis 19:12The men said to Lot, “Do you have anybody else here? Sons-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in…
Genesis 21:7She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”
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 24:23and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?”
Genesis 24:47I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to…
Genesis 24:65She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.”…
Genesis 27:18He came to his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”
Genesis 27:32Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?” He said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”
Genesis 27:33Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it to me, and I have eaten of…
Genesis 33:5He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?” He said, “The children…
Genesis 33:8Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” Jacob said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.”
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 43:22We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.”
Genesis 48:8Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?”
Genesis 49:9Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness.…