The Greek word emoû, represented by G1700, is a personal pronoun meaning of me, mine, or my. It is a prolonged form used to denote possession or relation to the speaker. It appears 109 times across 104 unique verses, primarily used by key figures like Jesus and Paul to establish personal identity and authority.
Grammatically, G1700 is the genitive singular form of the first-person personal pronoun. Its function extends beyond simple possession to indicate source, separation, or association. In Koine Greek, the prolonged forms like emoû often carried a slightly more emphatic tone than their shorter counterparts (e.g., moû), though the distinction could sometimes be stylistic rather than strictly semantic, depending on the context and authorial intent. This genitive case is versatile, appearing after prepositions (e.g., ἀπὸ ἐμοῦ, "from me"), with verbs that take a genitive object, or to express relationships where "of me" or "concerning me" is implied.
The genitive emoû frequently highlights the speaker as the origin or point of reference for an action, message, or relationship. For instance, when Jesus speaks of the Father bearing witness "of me" John 5:32, or the scriptures testifying "of me" John 5:39, it underscores His central role as the subject and fulfillment of divine revelation. Similarly, Paul's assertion that the gospel "preached of me is not after man" Galatians 1:11 positions him as the divinely appointed conduit, with the message's authenticity stemming from its source in him as an apostle.
In scripture, G1700 is used to define relationships and establish divine claims. Jesus uses it to declare His unique role as the only path to the Father John 14:6 and the source of spiritual life, stating, "without me ye can do nothing" John 15:5. The word also identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy, as all things written in the law, prophets, and psalms concern me Luke 24:44. It is used to express both divine judgment, as in "Depart from me" Matthew 7:23, and intimate fellowship, "thou be with me in paradise" Luke 23:43.
Beyond its use by Jesus to declare divine truth, G1700 also frequently marks moments of profound personal interaction and human experience, both positive and negative. In requests and appeals, individuals often seek intercession or assistance, as seen when Simon asks Peter and John to "Pray ye to the Lord for me" Acts 8:24, or when Paul urges the Romans to "strive together with me in your prayers to God for me" Romans 15:30. These instances reveal emoû's role in articulating personal need and the reliance of believers on communal support and divine intervention.
Conversely, emoû delineates separation or opposition, particularly in contexts of judgment or disagreement. Jesus declares, "He that is not with me is against me" Luke 11:23, clearly distinguishing between alignment and antagonism. The phrase "depart from me" appears not only in eschatological judgment Matthew 7:23, Matthew 25:41 but also in Peter's humble confession, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" Luke 5:8, illustrating its use to express a recognition of unworthiness in the presence of divine holiness, marking a stark contrast between the speaker and the divine other.
Several related pronouns express the first-person perspective in different grammatical cases:
- G1473 egṓ (I): The emphatic first-person pronoun, used when the speaker is the subject. For instance, Jesus declares "I am the door" John 10:9.
- G1691 emé (me): A prolonged form used as the direct object of a verb. This is seen in contexts of rejection, as when Jesus speaks of one who "hath lifted up his heel against me" John 13:18.
- G1698 emoí (to me): A prolonged dative form signifying "to me" or "for me." Paul uses this to express the indwelling of Christ, who "liveth in me" Galatians 2:20.
- G1699 emós (my): This form indicates possession. Jesus uses it when speaking of the glory the Father has given him, referring to it as "my glory" John 17:24.
- G1683 emautoû (of myself): A reflexive pronoun formed by combining emoû with autós, intensifying the self-reference. It signifies an action or state originating from or pertaining to the speaker's own self, emphasizing personal agency or inherent quality.
The theological weight of G1700 is immense, particularly in the words of Christ.
- Christ as the Exclusive Source: The pronoun is central to statements of salvation and spiritual vitality. Access to the Father is solely "by me" John 14:6, and spiritual fruitfulness is impossible "without me" John 15:5.
- Identification for Believers: Suffering and reward are directly linked to one's relationship with Christ. Believers are called blessed when persecuted for my sake Matthew 5:11, and losing one's life for His sake leads to finding it Matthew 10:39.
- Prophetic Fulfillment: G1700 is used to affirm that the scriptures testify of Jesus. He states that Moses "wrote of me" John 5:46 and that the scriptures "testify of me" John 5:39, establishing His identity as the promised Messiah.
- Apostolic Witness and Authority: G1700 is crucial for Paul and other apostles in establishing the divine origin and veracity of their ministry. When Paul speaks of "the gospel which was preached of me" Galatians 1:11 or "the things that thou hast heard of me" 2 Timothy 2:2, he asserts that the message is not merely human teaching but carries the authority of Christ working through him. This personal connection validates the gospel's authenticity for the hearers, grounding the message in a credible, divinely commissioned source, as when the Lord stood with Paul, "that by me the preaching might be fully known" 2 Timothy 4:17.
- Abiding and Shared Destiny: The pronoun emphasizes an intimate, enduring relationship between Christ and His followers, extending beyond mere fellowship to a shared journey and ultimate destiny. Jesus promises, "they shall walk with me in white" Revelation 3:4 and "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne" Revelation 3:21. This usage of G1700 underscores a deep, active communion where believers not only follow Christ but also participate in His trials, triumphs, and ultimate reign, as exemplified by disciples who "have continued with me in my temptations" Luke 22:28.
The Greek word emoû (G1700), the genitive singular of the first-person pronoun, functions as a profound marker of personal identity, relationship, and authority within the New Testament. While fundamentally meaning "of me," "mine," or "my," its usage by figures like Jesus and Paul elevates it beyond a simple grammatical indicator to a declaration of theological significance. Jesus employs emoû to assert His exclusive divine identity, His role as the sole mediator of salvation and spiritual life, and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, making access to the Father "by me" John 14:6 and fruitfulness impossible "without me" John 15:5.
Emoû is central to understanding the nature of discipleship and the believer's identification with Christ. It defines the blessedness of suffering "for my sake" Matthew 5:11 and the promise of eternal life for those who lose their lives "for my sake" Matthew 10:39. The pronoun also delineates the personal connection in spiritual warfare, stating, "He that is not with me is against me" Luke 11:23, highlighting the necessity of alignment with Christ.
Beyond Christ's direct declarations, emoû is vital in the apostolic witness, where it grounds the authority and authenticity of the gospel message preached by Paul and other apostles. The gospel "preached of me" Galatians 1:11 is presented as divinely inspired, not human invention, with Christ actively working "by me" Romans 15:18. This extends to the deeply personal nature of prayer and mutual care, as believers are encouraged to "strive together with me in your prayers to God for me" Romans 15:30, demonstrating the communal yet personal aspect of faith.
Finally, emoû underscores the ultimate promise of an intimate, abiding relationship and shared destiny with Christ, where overcoming leads to sitting "with me in my throne" Revelation 3:21 and communal fellowship involves supping "with him, and he with me" Revelation 3:20. Whether expressing divine claims, personal challenges, or the depth of spiritual communion, G1700 articulates a deeply personal dimension of faith and the believer's inextricable link to the person of Christ.
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