Where is hineni used in the Bible?
Introduction
The Hebrew word “hineni” appears several times in the Bible and carries significant meaning.
It translates to “Here I am” or “Behold, I am” and is often used to respond to a divine call or a summons from God.
“Hineni” expresses readiness, attentiveness, and willingness to obey or serve.
It is a courageous response to God’s calling without doubt or hesitation but with absolute faith and readiness to obey.
It is a statement of trust and loyalty to God, knowing that He that called will empower, protect and lead.
Many great prophets in the Bible used the word hineni at some point in their journey. Moses, Abraham, Samuel, Isaiah, etc., are well-known examples of people who responded using Here I am (Hineni) in the Bible.
We will discuss the significance and spiritual implications of hineni, citing examples in the Bible and using biblical references.
Hineni in the Bible:
A demonstration of faith
“Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” (Genesis 22:1)
Abraham was not called the Father of Faith for nothing.
His life is an embodiment of faith demonstrated from the beginning of His life until His last days on earth.
When God first called Abraha out of his country to go to an unknown land, which God promised to show him, Abraham demonstrated an unwavering faith by forsaking his family and his comfort zone for a land he knew nothing about.
However, that was only the tip of the iceberg. An event that required greater sacrifice and demonstration of faith occurred in Genesis 22:1. God called Abraham, and without hesitation, he replied, saying hineni, meaning Here I am.
Abraham had no idea what God wanted to ask from him or ask him to do, but because he had a strong faith in him, he replied without an open heart to carry out whatsoever he would be commanded.
And truly, he did; God asked him the hardest thing any father would accept to do: kill his only son, Isaac and offer him as a burnt offering.
Reading further to verse 11, we see Abraham using hineni again.
“But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” o he said, “Here I am.” (Genesis 22:11).
However, Abraham was called to not kill his son this time.
He was provided with a ram for his sacrifice, and God established a covenant with him for his blind faith in Him.
Therefore, hineni is a bold declaration of faith in God and the willingness and readiness to follow His instructions to the letter, no matter how difficult it might be.
A statement of total readiness to serve
“Also 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.” (Isaiah 6:8)
Hineni is also a bold declaration of availability and readiness to do God’s word and serve Him with all your heart and might.
When God called Isaiah, God asked a powerful question, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”
This question suggests urgency. Isaiah, on the other hand, did not disappoint.
He answered, saying, hineni immediately God asked the question.
Isaiah did not wait to understand his responsibilities.
He was consumed by his passion and willingness to God.
He was ready to be sent. Therefore, hineni is a response to responsibilities.
It is one’s readiness to sacrifice time, energy, family, and resources to do the Lord’s work.
Although the disciples of Jesus did not say hineni when they were called, they demonstrated this same level of readiness and eagerness to serve when Jesus asked them to follow Him.
None of them argued with Him, asked any questions, or hesitated. Instead, they dropped what they were doing and followed Jesus.
This should be our service toward God’s work.
We must be willing to forsake anything for the sake of God’s work. We must boldly say here I am; use me, Lord.
Obedience to parents
“And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” So he said to him, “Here I am.” (Genesis 37:13)
The statement, hineni, is not only a response to God’s call.
It can be used between humans.
For example, Jacob called his beloved son, Joseph, to send him to his brothers, feeding the flock in the field.
Joseph did not hesitate to answer with hineni.
This proves that hineni is a child’s readiness to pay attention or follow their parent’s instructions.
It is a way to show honor and reverence.
In this context, the beautiful thing is that hineni also attracts blessings because the Bible says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).
Also, hineni, in this context, can be expressed by a mentee to a mentor or a student to a teacher.
An example is Samuel’s first encounter with God in 1 Samuel 3:4-5. “Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’ And he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ But Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down.”
When the young Samuel heard a voice calling him, he initially mistook it for Eli’s voice. However, once he realized it was the Lord calling him, he responded with “hineni,” demonstrating his attentiveness and readiness to listen and obey.
Samuel used hineni for Eli as a sign of profound respect and an obedient spirit.
He was willing to obey his mentor even if it meant losing his sleep.
God’s promise
“Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’” (Isaiah 58:9)
God also uses hineni as a mark of His devotion and faithfulness toward us.
He uses it to prove that He is a promise keeper and will never leave nor forsake us.
The Bible says God is our ever-present help.
He is always there even when we do not see Him.
Therefore, even though God expects our prompt response, faith, readiness, and willingness to serve and obey Him, He also exemplifies and embodies this commitment and faithfulness by telling us here I am (hineni).
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.