Original Word: ὑμῖν
Part of Speech: Pronoun
Transliteration: humin
Pronunciation: hoo-MEEN
Phonetic Spelling: (hoo-min')
KJV: ye, you, your(-selves)
Word Origin: [irregular dative case of G5210 (ὑμεῖς - you)]

1. to (with or by) you

you

Irregular dative case of humeis; to (with or by) you -- ye, you, your(-selves).

see GREEK humeis

Word Origin
dat. of humeis, q.v.

Form and Grammatical Function

Ὑμῖν is the dative plural form of the second-person personal pronoun. It answers “to or for whom?” and is always addressed to more than one person. As the dative case in Koine Greek is flexible, ὑμῖν can indicate indirect object, means, advantage, disadvantage, reference, or possession, depending on context.

Range of Meaning

Because it is a pure pronominal form, ὑμῖν carries no lexical nuance beyond “you” as a group; its importance lies in the grammatical and theological functions it performs:

• Corporate address: The speaker or writer intentionally addresses a body—disciples, churches, crowds, nations.
• Covenant language: By framing divine promises or commands with ὑμῖν, Scripture underlines God’s relationship with His covenant people collectively.
• Pastoral tone: Apostolic letters open and close with phrases such as “Grace to you” (χάρις ὑμῖν, Romans 1:7), signalling both blessing and authoritative instruction.

Old Testament Background

In the Septuagint, ὑμῖν frequently renders Hebrew לָכֶם (lāḵem, “to you” plural). This sets a covenantal precedent: “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God” (Exodus 6:7). Such collective address underscores God’s dealings with Israel as a nation, paving the way for New Testament writers to employ ὑμῖν when addressing the redeemed community in Christ.

New Testament Usage

Although far too numerous to catalogue exhaustively (over two hundred occurrences), several patterns emerge:

1. Christological Revelation

Matthew 13:11: “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus distinguishes the disciples from the crowds; ὑμῖν marks them as recipients of privileged revelation.

2. Evangelistic Proclamation

Luke 2:10: “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” The angel’s ὑμῖν communicates the immediate audience—shepherds—while foreshadowing a universal message.

3. Apostolic Blessing

Romans 1:7: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Similar greetings open most Pauline epistles, knitting each congregation into the same grace.

4. Ethical Instruction

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” The plural pronoun frames ethics as communal obligations.

5. Eschatological Assurance

1 Peter 1:5: Believers “are shielded by God’s power through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” The promise is corporate, reinforcing solidarity amid suffering.

Theological Themes

1. Corporate Identity in Christ

The pervasive use of ὑμῖν resists an individualistic reading of faith. Salvation, sanctification, and mission are expressed to the body—churches in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Philippi, and beyond. Even personal exhortations are set within the community’s welfare (Philippians 1:25).

2. Covenant Continuity

By echoing the Septuagint’s collective address, New Testament writers present the church as the continuation and fulfillment of God’s covenant people (Galatians 3:29). ὑμῖν binds Gentile believers into Israel’s promises without erasing Israel’s distinct role (Romans 11:17-24).

3. Grace Bestowed and Stewarded

Whether introducing letters (“Grace to you”) or concluding them (“Grace be with you”), ὑμῖν bookends apostolic correspondence with the unmerited favor of God. This grace is both received and, through spiritual gifts, administered among one another (1 Peter 4:10).

4. Divine Initiative vs. Human Response

The dative often appears in divine passives: “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him” (Philippians 1:29). God is the acting subject, believers the corporate beneficiaries.

Historical Transmission and Translation

Scribes instinctively retained ὑμῖν’s plurality because any alteration would shift the theological weight of a passage. English translations that do not distinguish singular from plural “you” can obscure this collective emphasis. Modern efforts (e.g., footnoting or using “you all”) attempt to recover what ὑμῖν inherently communicates but what English lacks grammatically.

Implications for Ministry

• Preaching: Recognizing ὑμῖν guards against overly individualistic application and encourages sermons that address the congregation as a body.
• Discipleship: Many New Testament imperatives are corporate. Spiritual formation therefore involves mutual accountability and shared practices (Hebrews 10:24-25).
• Liturgy: The historic greeting “Grace to you and peace” in worship services echoes apostolic pattern, reminding assemblies of their common standing in grace.

Pastoral Application

1. Corporate Prayer—John 16:24 records Jesus saying, “Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” The plural reminds churches to seek God together.
2. Mutual Forgiveness—Colossians 3:13 commands believers to bear with and forgive one another; ὑμῖν presses the duty on every member.
3. Shared Mission—Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses.” The plural pronoun reinforces that the Great Commission is a corporate mandate, not merely an individual calling.

Conclusion

Though a simple pronoun, ὑμῖν is a vital thread weaving together the biblical vision of a people formed, redeemed, instructed, and empowered by God. By paying attention to its collective force, readers and teachers honor the text’s grammar, preserve the communal heart of the gospel, and strengthen the church’s shared life in Christ.

υμιν ὑμῖν hymin hymîn uminInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts