Every use of the phrase אני הוא or אנכי הוא or אתא הוא always refers to God
(Deu 32:39; Ps 102:28; Isa 41:4; 43:10,13, 25; 46:4; 48:12; 51:12; 52:6). The
LXX generally translates the "I am He" phrases, as just "I am", which seems
to treat it as a Divine name.
Ps 102:28(27) אתא הוא is translated in LXX, and Heb 1:12 as "You are the
same".
In synagogue, we closed most services that with the ein Keloheinu hymn, the
last 5 stanzas of which are five אתא הוא 's in praise of God.
Sincerely,
-Steve Miller
Detroit
www.voiceInWilderness.info
Judge me, O my Lord, for I have walked,
walked in my integrity,
and I have put my trust in the Lord.
I'll not slide away from Thee. (Ps 26:1)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hedrick Gary
> Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2010 1:48 AM
> To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
> Subject: [b-hebrew] Ani Hu
>
> I'm looking at Isaiah 48:12 in the Tanakh:
>
> שמע אלי יעקב וישראל מקראי אני־הוא אני ראשון אף אני אחרון׃
>
> In English: “Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He
> (Heb., ani hu), I am the First, I am also the Last."
>
> My understanding is that ani hu is two pronouns with the verb
> understood: "I (am) He."
> Was this construction any sort of special designation for God in
> ancient Judaism? I've scanned the WWW and there seems to be
> contradictory information on this topic. So I need a little expert help
> to sort out fact from fiction.
>
> Thanks a bunch,
>
> Gary Hedrick
> San Antonio, TX USA