Hineni – Here I am
Two little Hebrew words: ‘hineh’ and ‘ani’,
meaning “here” and “I”
that say everything.
“Here I am — Hineni,”
said Abraham, Moses,
and the many prophets of God
who answered in response to Him calling their name.
Hineni — הִנֵּֽנִי
pronounced: hee-NAY-nee
Hineni is not like the modern Hebrew word po,
which means present or
here, in the sense of taking a classroom attendance.
Hineni by itself is often translated as Behold!
It tells people an important announcement is at hand.
Behold was a way to say “Look… look what I’m pointing at”.
The initial use of hineni in the Bible, was part of God’s first words to Adam:
Genesis 1:27-31” Then God said, “Behold [Look!: Hinneh], I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. God saw all that He had made, and behold [w-hinneh], it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
God was saying,
Hinneh! Look! Look what I’m pointing at…
All this, I made for you.
This fellowship and closeness enjoyed by them was changed after they disobeyed by eating from the tree God commanded them not to and Adam knew it! However, God called out to him not because He didn’t know where he was in the garden, but to re-unite and restore the broken fellowship with him after his disobedience.
Our Heavenly Father was providing Adam the opportunity to confess and repent. He was asking Adam to communicate and talk with his Creator and return to the close intimate relationship. and at the same time, He was giving Adam the chance to be accountable for his actions.
Adam’s initial reaction was flight and to hide, and avoid God’s question with a non-answer:
“I heard you, I was afraid, and I hid.” Genesis 3:10.
Adam did not respond with, “Hineni” — “Here I am”.
Later in Genesis 22. we read of a very different interaction.
Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Hineni! (Here I am)”.
Genesis 22:1, NLT.
With the Hebrew word ani, it proclaims,
“I’m at Your service, Lord!”
it is a way of expressing
total readiness to give oneself –
it’s an offer of total availability.
Interestingly, this is not a one-sided announcement, because our Heavenly Father also says to us, “Hineini.”
“Then you will call,
and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and He will say:
Here am I.”
Isaiah 58:9
In Genesis 22:11 we read about Abraham / Avraham:
And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham:
and he said, Here am I.
God calls out, “Abraham” and without knowing what the Lord would ask of him, he answers, “Hineni.” Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
Abraham replies without hesitation, despite not knowing what will come next or what God is about to ask of him.
By answering ‘hineni’, Abraham declares
his readiness and his faith.
His faith is proven as he proceeds with the request God has just made of him; to take his only son, the one he waited so many years for, and offer him as a sacrifice.
When Abraham finds out that God wants him to prepare his beloved son Isaac as a sacrifice, he obeys. As he places the wood on his son and they proceed to the place of the offering on Mount Moriah, Isaac calls out, “Father?”
Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son” [hineni beni]. And he said, “Behold [Look: hinneh], the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.
Wanting to be present for his son’s needs as well as for God’s, Abraham again answers, “Hineini.” Genesis 22:7.
Then, one last time, as Abraham lifts the knife and readies himself to slaughter his son, the majestic Malach YHVH (Angel of God), calls out to him from Heaven: “Abraham, Abraham.”
He answers, “Hineni,” as God mercifully shows him the ram that will take Isaac’s place (Genesis 22:11).
These prophetic words, “God will provide Himself the lamb” was a beautiful foreshadowing of YHWH’s plan for the Messiah and Abraham illustrates God’s sincere desire as our Father in Heaven to restore our broken relationship with Him through the great cost of His only Son Yeshua. God shows us His future Messianic redemptive plan when He calls Abraham to do the unthinkable — sacrifice his son, Isaac — a picture of how God would sacrifice Himself as His own son, Yeshua /Jesus.
Abraham also illustrates how God makes Himself available to us while longing to hear us say, Hineini
Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold [w-hinneh], behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. Abraham called the name of that place YHWH Will Provide [YHWH Yir’eh], as it is said to this day, “In the mount of YHWH it will be provided.”
HERE I AM/Behold: Hineni.
(Strong’s 2009)
Root: הִנֵּה
As previously noted, Hineni” (hee-neh-nee) is a Hebrew phrase comprised of two short words:
‘hineh’ and ‘ani’, meaning “here” and “I”.
More literally, “hineh” is translated as
“behold” (certainly, surely),
which is a much stronger word than simply “here”.
When the two words are put together, ‘hineni’ becomes more than just sharing your geographical location. It is a powerful declaration – one that can be made to our Heavenly Father, and one that He can make to us
With reference to the past or present, it points generally to some truth either newly asserted, or newly recognized. Genesis 1:29, 17:20, 27:6, 1 Samuel 14:33. With reference to the future, it serves to introduce a serious or important declaration. Exodus 32:34, 34:40, Isaiah 7:14, according to the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon.
Hinneh can be found over 800 times in the Old Testament, but there are a few times it is “Behold, I”, and has often been translated as “Here I am”, from the Hebrew words hineni and hin’ni; often being a response used when an authority figure called someone, e.g. Jacob speaking to his son, Joseph:
Genesis 37:12-14a
Then his [Joseph’s] brothers went to pasture their father’s flock in Shechem. Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he [Joseph] said to him, “Here I am” [Hineni]. Then he [Jacob] said to him, “Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me.”…
Genesis 31:11 and 36:2.
Jacob/Yaakov, whose name was changed to Israel, was told to travel, first back to his homeland in Canaan, and then to Egypt. This was to set plans in motion for the Hebrew nation to be strengthened in captivity.
In Genesis 31:11, 13
“Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’ [Hineni]… [The angel of God said] ‘I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me; now arise, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.’”
The first time Jacob’s name was called one one time, the second ooccasion God called on him, Jacob’s name was said twice:
Genesis 46:2-3
God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am” [Hineni]. He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.”
Jacob was essentially saying,
“Look! I am here, and I’m willing to go wherever you lead me.”
In Exodus 3:4 we read of Moses/Moshe.
Moses was and caring for his father-in-laws sheep, when suddenly he notices the strange bush that is on fire but was not consumed.
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush,
“Moses! Moses!”. And Moses said,
“Here I am.”.
Sometimes written as hin·nê·nî as seen above. Strongs 2009.
God reveals His name as “I AM WHO I AM” to Moses at the burning bush and commands him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
Moses’ response of ‘hineni’ showed that he was ready to hear and obey, again, not knowing what was about to be asked of him. God tells Moses how He has seen the afflictions of His people, heard their cries and that He knows their suffering. He intends to intervene, and He wants to use Moses in that intervention.
Without knowing all that it would entail, Moses’ response of ‘hineni’ becomes a turning point in his life for the next 40 years.
In 1Samuel 3:4 we read the experience that Samuel/Shmuel had when God called him.
That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
The young boy Samuel, was lying down most likely he was asleep, in the temple of the Lord, not far from the place called the Holy of Holies or Most Holy Place.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down Samuel is actually asleep when God calls to him.
From this example of Samuel replying ‘hineni’, since initially he does not know it is the Lord. Samuel thinks it is Eli calling his name. This demonstrates that ‘here I am’ can also be used within the context of a family, indicating readiness to pay attention or follow instructions.
‘Hineni’ can be a child communicating their willingness to submit to their parents’ requests. It’s even been compared to a type of military responsiveness, as if the person uttering ‘hineni’ is saying, “at your service”.
In 1 Samuel 3:1, we find Samuel as a boy, ministering to the Lord, which is already indicating that even as a child, Samuel had a heart inclined towards God’s ways.
When God calls out to Samuel, Samuel runs to Eli, thinking he was the one who called his name.; this happens three times and each time Samuel’s answer is ‘hineni’.
Samuel’s call from God was to announce the downfall of the priests of Eli’s line, and this allowed Samuel to become the prophet-priest needed to anoint the earliest kings of Israel.
Samuel would be instrumental in David’s rise as king and ancestor of the Messiah. He was Hannah’s son, the barren woman who prayed for a son, and God granted her request. In thankfulness to the Lord she dedicated Samuel to Him and after she had weaned him, she brought him to the priest Eli,
Samuel’s life was dedicated to being in the presence of God. Perhaps, no surprise that one of the most intense “here I am” stories came from a very young Samuel, before he even understood who the Lord was:
1 Samuel 3:4-16
YHWH called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am” [Hineni]. Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am [hin’ni], for you called me.” But he [Eli] said, “I did not call, lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
YHWH called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am [hin’ni], for you called me.” But he answered, “I did not call, my son, lie down again.”
Now Samuel did not yet know YHWH, nor had the word of YHWH yet been revealed to him. So YHWH called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am [hin’ni], for you called me.”
Then Eli discerned that YHWH was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, YHWH, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Then YHWH came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
YHWH said to Samuel, “Behold [Look: hinneh], I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
So Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the house of YHWH. But Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am” [Hineni].
Three times God called Samuel, but Samuel didn’t understand because He didn’t yet know the Lord God/YHWH, so he could only think that it was Eli calling him. However, he didn’t ignore the call, he responded immediately to the voice of authority he was used to hearing.
When Samuel learned to discern the voice of God, he was ready to listen and deliver God’s message. Samuel was afraid to share the news with Eli, his teacher and father-figure, but after he said, “Hineni, here I am”, he gathered the confidence and shared the terrible fate awaiting Eli’s family.
Isaiah 6:8 Isaiah Yesha yahu
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”.
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah is quick in his obedience. He gives a resounding “yes” to God’s call, before knowing what would follow.
This response by an individual is more than a basic acknowledgement of being in a physical location, the word “Hineni” has an all encompassing meaning by way of saying, I’m not only here, but I’m here spiritually, I’m all in. I’m prepared to consider my ways and who I really am, what’s important to me, and how I can be a blessing in the lives of others.”
Hineni’ is not only the response of God’s true and faithful servants, Ii’s also a statement God Himself makes to His children.
In Isaiah, there are three examples where the Lord promises His continual presence and provision; in chapter 52:6, 65:1, and in the following verse:
“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.” (Isaiah 58:9)
Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” [hin’ni sh’lakheni]
In this instance, God didn’t call Isaiah by name, Isaiah volunteered, and without any hesitation. What was it that he was volunteering to do? Isaiah stood up to be God’s reflection on earth. According to Isaiah, here’s what would happen if you freed the oppressed, shared bread with the hungry, brought the homeless into your house, and clothed the naked:
Isaiah 58:8-9a
“Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of YHWHwill be your rear guard. Then you will call, and YHWH will answer; you will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am’” [Hineni].
We were called to be image-bearers of our Heavenly Father and of Yeshua/Jesus. When we are truly a reflection He will will be able to look at us and and see Himself in us. He will be able to say “Hineni! Here I Am. I see Myself in You”.
It’s time for us to volunteer like Isaiah did. It’s time for us to call out to our Heavenly Father saying ” Here I am. I’m ready to go and do. Send me!” When you call out to HIm, He will answer, saying, “Here I Am and I see you! You are in Me, and I Am in you”…Then He will give us instructions and directions.
Yeshua/Jesus, God in the flesh. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1; He makes Himself available to us, always waiting for us to say, “Hineini.”
He calls to us during times when we have hidden ourselves from His presence.
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am (Hineini!)
“I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:19–20.
Messiah promises to abide with us, if we allow Him in.
Only with His presence can we truly fulfill the call to be of service to our Heavenly Father. For Messiah Yeshua/Jesus says,
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” John 15:4.
Yeshua/Jesus lived out Hineini, always at the service of His Father, doing His will, and with His help, so can we.
“I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8.
As with everything that He asks of us, Yeshua/Jesus has gone before us. He knows what it is to live here in an earthly body and still be of service to the Father. But Yeshua/Jesus always did what pleased His Father and fulfilled the divine Hineini that was prophesied in Psalm 40:7-8:
“Then I said, ‘Here, I have come (Hineini); in the scroll of the book it is written of Me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.’” Psalm 40:7–8.
We must ask ourselves what will I do?
Paul tells us “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1.
And the Father gave up His Son, to restore our intimacy with Him. In doing so, they have demonstrated the most profound Hineni of all time.
In that way, we fully live out Hineni in the eyes of our family and community in a way that truly pleases and glorifies Him. And He will be fully available to us as well.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen … to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. “Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.” Isaiah 58:6-9.
They all answered in the same way to Gods call saying
Hineni – Here I am.
When our Heavenly Father calls to us by name and asks
where are you?
It is not because He doesn’t know where you are physically, He is asking us do we know where we are spiritually and in relationship to HIm; and if we are ready to reply saying Hineni!
What was the response of those we have looked at? In every example, It was the response of a servant: ‘hineni’.
We see ‘hineni’ appear at pivotal moments throughout Scripture. Moments when profound change is about to take place in the lives of those responding to God.
What makes ‘hineni’ such a powerful statement? It is an offer of complete availability, of total readiness to serve. When we say ‘hineni’, we make ourselves fully available to whatever it is God might ask of us. Even without knowing what that might be.
The answer of ‘hineni’ is one of faith.
The answer “hineni” means: “Here I am ready and waiting to do Your will. Here I am, a partner with You in the eternal covenant between You and our people. How can I fulfill my role more fully?”
Yet the word conveys so much more. To say “hineni” expresses a deep desire for a spiritual awakening, a moment, however fleeting, in which we feel close to the heart of the Father.
It indicates a receptive mind and an openness of soul. It declares a readiness to engage, to take part in the unfolding of Gods plan of the Ages.
One New Testament example is recorded in Acts 9:10-15
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord” [Greek: Idou ego, Kyrie]. And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.
Our Heavenly Father called out, by name, those He needed to fulfill His plans. Ananias quick response changed the course of Paul’s life, and he became the missionary to the gentiles.
In the Psalms we are assured that God is our ever-present help, and He delights to make Himself available to His children. By God saying ‘hineni’ to us, He is saying that He hears us, He sees us, and He knows us.
Are our hearts prepared to answer?
Are we ready to offer ourselves,
even without knowing what service He will ask of us?
