### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
emoû (`{{G1700}}`) is the genitive singular form of the first-person personal pronoun egō (`{{G1473}}`), meaning "I." As a genitive, it primarily functions to express possession ("my," "mine"), origin ("from me"), or a specific relationship ("of me"). It can also serve as the object of prepositions that govern the genitive case. The usage of emoû inherently emphasizes the speaker's personal involvement, ownership, or the specific relationship they bear to the noun or action in question. While the provided base definition includes an erroneous reference to μοχθος (`{{G3449}}`), the core meaning of emoû is firmly rooted in its grammatical function as the genitive of egō, conveying the sense of "of me," "my," or "mine."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term emoû (`{{G1700}}`) appears frequently throughout the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels and the Pauline Epistles. Its application is diverse, yet consistently highlights a personal connection.
In the words of Jesus, emoû often carries significant weight, underscoring His unique identity, authority, and relationship with both the Father and humanity:
* In [[John 6:37]], Jesus declares, "All that the Father gives me will come to me..." The use of emoû here emphasizes the divine origin of those who come to Him and their belonging *to Him*.
* [[John 14:15]] states, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Here, emoû highlights the personal and authoritative source of the commandments, directly from Christ Himself.
* In the parable of the sheep and the goats, [[Matthew 25:40]] records Jesus saying, "...as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." This usage signifies a profound identification between Christ and His followers.
* At the Last Supper, [[Luke 22:19]] states, "This is my body, which is given for you." emoû conveys the personal sacrifice and ownership of His body for the redemption of humanity.
In the Pauline epistles, emoû is employed by the apostle to personalize his ministry, experiences, and theological convictions:
* [[Romans 1:12]]: "...that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." Here, emoû points to Paul's personal faith, creating a bond of shared belief.
* [[Galatians 2:20]]: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." The emoû (implied in "me") emphasizes the radical transformation and indwelling of Christ in the believer's life.
The precise nuance of emoû in any given passage is determined by the surrounding grammatical construction and the broader theological context. It can signify possessive relationships, subjective or objective genitives (e.g., "love *from* me" vs. "love *for* me"), or genitives of origin.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding emoû (`{{G1700}}`) is greatly aided by examining its relationship to other forms of the first-person pronoun and related theological concepts:
* egō (`{{G1473}}`): The nominative form, "I." emoû is its genitive case, signifying possession or relationship. The "I" of egō becomes "my" or "of me" with emoû.
* moi (`{{G3427}}`): The dative form, meaning "to me" or "for me," indicating indirect object or benefit.
* eme (`{{G1691}}`): The accusative form, meaning "me," serving as a direct object.
* hēmon (`{{G2257}}`): The genitive plural of "we," meaning "our" or "of us," providing a plural contrast to the singular emoû.
The concepts tied to emoû include:
* **Personal Relationship:** The intimate bond between God/Christ and the individual.
* **Divine Ownership/Possession:** God's claim over His people, or Christ's ownership of His flock.
* **Authority:** When spoken by Jesus, emoû often undergirds His unique and supreme authority.
* **Identity in Christ:** The believer's new identity as one "of Christ," belonging to Him.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of emoû (`{{G1700}}`) is profound, particularly in its Christological and soteriological implications:
* **Christocentricity and Authority:** When Jesus employs emoû, it consistently highlights His unique divine identity and redemptive mission. "My Father" ([[John 5:17]]), "My words" ([[John 12:48]]), "My kingdom" ([[John 18:36]]) are not mere possessive statements but declarations of inherent authority, divine origin, and exclusive claim. [[John 10:27]] states, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me," emphasizing His unique pastoral role and the personal relationship He cultivates with His flock. Crucially, [[John 14:6]] declares, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," a foundational claim to exclusivity and necessity for salvation.
* **Discipleship and Identification:** For believers, emoû defines the parameters of true discipleship. To be "of Christ" means to embrace His teachings, His suffering, and His Spirit. [[Matthew 11:29]] invites, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me," signifying a personal commitment to Christ's way of life and His transformative instruction. The believer's life is to be intertwined with Christ's, reflecting His character and purpose.
* **Theological Anthropology and Personal Confession:** When used by human authors, emoû speaks to their personal experience of faith, their relationship with God, and their identity in Christ. Paul's frequent use of "my" (e.g., "my gospel" in [[Romans 2:16]], "my chains" in [[Philippians 1:13]]) personalizes his ministry, suffering, and theological understanding, yet always points back to Christ as the source and object of his life. [[Philippians 1:21]], "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," is a powerful personal confession of ultimate allegiance and purpose.
* **Covenantal Relationship:** While often expressed through μου (mou), the enclitic form of emoû, the concept of "my people" or "my servant" signifies God's special, chosen, and intimate relationship with His covenant partners, underscoring His ownership and commitment.
### Summary
emoû (`{{G1700}}`) is the genitive singular of the first-person personal pronoun egō (`{{G1473}}`), meaning "of me," "my," or "mine." Its frequent appearance in the New Testament is highly significant, particularly in the words of Jesus, where it consistently highlights His divine authority, His unique relationship with the Father, and the exclusive nature of His claims to be the Way, Truth, and Life. For believers, emoû in the context of Christ's teachings defines the terms of discipleship, emphasizing a personal, possessive, and transformative relationship with Him. When used by apostles, it personalizes their witness and experience of the gospel, always within the framework of their identity in Christ. A careful examination of emoû is crucial for grasping the intimate and authoritative nature of the divine-human relationship articulated throughout the New Testament, revealing profound insights into Christology, discipleship, and the believer's identity.
TRV