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אָנֹכִי

𐤀𐤍𐤊𐤉

ʼânôkîy

H595 pronoun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain I, me (first person singular pronoun)

Definition

A first-person singular independent pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is used by the speaker to refer to themselves and occurs widely in narrative, legal, and poetic contexts. It often carries emphatic or contrastive force, distinguishing the self from others. In some cases, it can add solemnity or highlight personal involvement.

Semantic Range

first person singular subject pronoun ('I'), emphatic first person singular ('I, myself'), object of a preposition ('me'), used in solemn declarations, narrative, poetry, divine speech

Root / Etymology

The word אָנֹכִי (ʼânôkîy) is of uncertain root; usually regarded as archaic or poetic. It is often considered distinct from the alternative Hebrew pronoun אני (ʼanî), though both function as first-person singular pronouns. The etymology is uncertain; some suggest a link to North-West Semitic or Egyptian forms (compare Ugaritic anaku, Akkadian anāku, Egyptian ink), reflecting a pronoun of similar use across ancient Semitic languages.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אָנֹכִי is the less common of the two principal Hebrew first-person singular pronouns (the other being אני). It prevails in early and formal texts—such as legal materials (e.g., Decalogue: Exodus 20:2, 'I am YHWH your God'), divine speeches, and poetry. In later biblical prose, אני becomes more frequent. The two forms are nearly interchangeable, though אָנֹכִי is frequently chosen for emphasis, solemnity, or stylistic effect. In certain ancient Near Eastern languages, such as Ugaritic and Akkadian, cognate forms are standard pronouns, suggesting retention of an older form in biblical Hebrew. English translations universally render it 'I' or 'me,' but seldom attempt to convey the nuances of emphasis or ceremony sometimes present in the Hebrew. The pronoun's use does not imply any particular social or ethnic identity except for the speaker; all speakers in the Hebrew Bible—divine or human—use both forms. Later Rabbinic and post-biblical Hebrew preferred אני.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

sometimes, aw-no'-kee; a primitive pronoun; I; I, me, [idiom] which.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אנך (uncertain) (ʾ-n-k (uncertain)) — first person singular reference, self-designation

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H595-01 אָנֹ֖כִי anokhi HPp1cs I I myself 293
H595-03 וְ/אָנֹכִ֖י veanokhi HC/Pp1cs and I and I 64
H595-02 הֶ/אָנֹכִ֣י heanokhi HTi/Pp1cs As for me I myself 2

Occurrences in Scripture

359 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H595-01 Genesis 3:10 אָנֹ֖כִי anokhi HPp1cs I I myself
H595-01 Genesis 4:9 אָנֹֽכִי anokhi HPp1cs I I myself
H595-01 Genesis 7:4 אָֽנֹכִי֙ anokhi HPp1cs I I myself
H595-01 Genesis 15:1 אָנֹכִי֙ anokhi HPp1cs I I myself
H595-03 Genesis 15:2 וְ/אָנֹכִ֖י veanokhi HC/Pp1cs and I and I
H595-01 Genesis 15:14 אָנֹ֑כִי anokhi HPp1cs I I myself
H595-01 Genesis 16:5 אָנֹכִ֗י anokhi HPp1cs I I myself
H595-01 Genesis 16:8 אָנֹכִ֖י anokhi HPp1cs I I myself
H595-03 Genesis 18:27 וְ/אָנֹכִ֖י veanokhi HC/Pp1cs I and I
H595-03 Genesis 19:19 וְ/אָנֹכִ֗י veanokhi HC/Pp1cs but I and I
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