5168. nachnu
Lexical Summary
nachnu: We, us

Original Word: נַחְנוּ
Part of Speech: pronoun plural
Transliteration: nachnuw
Pronunciation: nakh-noo
Phonetic Spelling: (nakh-noo')
KJV: we
NASB: ourselves
Word Origin: [for H587 (אֲנַחנוּ - ourselves)]

1. we

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
we

For 'anachnuw; we -- we.

see HEBREW 'anachnuw

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from anachnu
Definition
we
NASB Translation
ourselves (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
נַ֫חְנוּ, נָחְ֑נוּ pronoun 1 plural we (abbreviated from אֲנַחְנוּ; compare the forms , נַחְנָא, just cited; also Assyrian nîni) Genesis 42:11; Exodus 16:7,8; Numbers 32:32; Lamentations 3:42. (In 2 Samuel 17:12 נַחְנוּ is 1 plural perfect Qal from נוּחַ.)

Topical Lexicon
Self-Identification and Corporate Solidarity

The pronoun expresses a conscious declaration of shared identity. Joseph’s brothers insist, “We are all sons of one man” (Genesis 42:11), distancing themselves from the charge of espionage by appealing to their common origin. The word thus underscores covenant family structure, reminding readers that God’s dealings often address households and tribes, not merely isolated individuals (compare Joshua 24:15).

Contrast Between Claim and Reality

In Genesis 42 the brothers’ “we” sounds sincere, yet the reader knows their history of deceit against Joseph. Scripture thereby exposes the tension between human self-presentation and divine omniscience. The episode foreshadows the ultimate unveiling of hearts at Christ’s judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Dependence on Divine Provision

Twice in Exodus 16 Moses and Aaron ask, “Who are we?” (verses 7 and 8), redirecting Israel’s complaints away from human leaders to the Lord. The repeated pronoun highlights leadership humility: God, not man, supplies manna. Pastors likewise are to point congregations to the true Source of every need (1 Peter 5:2–4).

Commitment and Obedience

The tribes of Reuben and Gad pledge, “We will cross over into the land of Canaan before the LORD armed” (Numbers 32:32). Here the word binds the community to a collective vow. Biblical covenants often require such unified assent (Nehemiah 10:28–29), challenging churches today to covenant together in mission and holiness.

Confession and Repentance

“We have sinned and rebelled” (Lamentations 3:42). The collective confession stands in stark contrast to earlier defiances. True revival begins when God’s people admit guilt corporately (2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 John 1:9). The absence of immediate forgiveness in the verse (“You have not forgiven”) magnifies the need for a Mediator, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:15).

Theological Implications for Ministry Today

1. The word encourages congregational consciousness: salvation places believers into a body (1 Corinthians 12:12).
2. It warns leaders against self-importance; like Moses, they are merely servants through whom God works.
3. It models covenant faithfulness; oaths before God remain binding.
4. It calls churches to corporate repentance, an essential precursor to spiritual renewal.

From patriarchs to prophets, the simple pronoun gathers individuals into a single voice, reminding every generation that the Lord deals with His people as one flock under one Shepherd.

Forms and Transliterations
וְנַ֣חְנוּ ונחנו נַ֣חְנוּ נַ֤חְנוּ נָ֑חְנוּ נחנו nā·ḥə·nū Nachenu Nachnu naḥ·nū nāḥənū naḥnū veNachnu wə·naḥ·nū wənaḥnū
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 42:11
HEB: אִישׁ־ אֶחָ֖ד נָ֑חְנוּ כֵּנִ֣ים אֲנַ֔חְנוּ
KJV: We [are] all one man's
INT: man of one We we true ourselves

Exodus 16:7
HEB: עַל־ יְהוָ֑ה וְנַ֣חְנוּ מָ֔ה כִּ֥י
KJV: against the LORD: and what [are] we, that ye murmur
INT: against the LORD and what we and what for

Exodus 16:8
HEB: מַלִּינִ֖ם עָלָ֑יו וְנַ֣חְנוּ מָ֔ה לֹא־
KJV: which ye murmur against him: and what [are] we? your murmurings
INT: your grumblings against we and what are not

Numbers 32:32
HEB: נַ֣חְנוּ נַעֲבֹ֧ר חֲלוּצִ֛ים
NAS: We ourselves will cross over armed
KJV: We will pass over armed
INT: ourselves will cross armed

Lamentations 3:42
HEB: נַ֤חְנוּ פָשַׁ֙עְנוּ֙ וּמָרִ֔ינוּ
KJV: We have transgressed
INT: We have transgressed and rebelled

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5168
5 Occurrences


nā·ḥə·nū — 1 Occ.
naḥ·nū — 2 Occ.
wə·naḥ·nū — 2 Occ.

5167
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