The Hebrew word that will change how your family reads Luke 2

(ldsliving.com 12-16-24)

When reading about the Nativity this holiday season, understanding the Hebrew word hineni helps us better appreciate Mary’s example of discipleship. And shows us how to become better disciples ourselves.

The Meaning of "Hineni"

In the Hebrew Bible, hineni is translated as “Here I am.” The word appears in many places in the Bible and conveys the idea of being ready to say yes to whatever the Lord asks of us.

Gaye Strathearn, Brigham Young University professor of ancient scripture, shared on the Magnify podcast that Mary is an example of what it means to live the definition of hineni. Though Mary would have known about the prophecy of the coming Messiah, as a young woman from the small village of Nazareth, she would not have expected this call to come to her.

“Mary says, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord,’” Gaye explains. “This is saying Mary is giving up her will to the will of God.”

Mary’s willingness to do God’s will, even without knowing how it can happen, shows us that when we don’t feel prepared for what we learn God has in store for us, we can confidently say, “Here I am.”

Gaye further explains, “That is what disciples do. This is how they act. This is how they respond to the invitations from the Lord. ... ‘Here I stand, God, if you need someone, choose me.’”

Other Example of "Hineni" in the Nativity Story

-Joseph-

Joseph had decided to “put [Mary] away privily” but was quick to change course and “do as the angel had bidden him.” When we’re certain one path is the right way, but the Lord steers us in a direction we wouldn’t have chosen, answering with hineni takes courage and faith. Even when we are striving to follow the Lord and do His will, we may be asked to put our trust in Him in ways that stretch us.

Joseph’s example of discipleship shows us that everything will work for our good when we choose to follow Him, even though we may not understand how.

-Shepherds-

Immediately upon receiving the good news of Christ’s birth, “which the Lord hath made known unto [them],” the shepherds responded with, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem.” Their desire to put aside what they were doing to act on what they were called to witness is an example of discipleship.

Answering the Lord’s call with hineni isn’t always convenient. Like the shepherds, it may require us to set aside what we thought was most important and change our plans to better align with what God has in store.

The shepherds’ example of discipleship shows us that when we willingly respond to the Lord, we can witness spiritual growth and beauty beyond our comprehension. “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). Responding with hineni changes us for the better.

-Wise Men-

When the star appeared, the wise men were ready to follow it to the Christ child. Their preparations are an example of discipleship. The Spirit often prepares us in ways we don’t realize until the time comes to act and move forward. This example of discipleship from the wise men shows us that when we answer with hineni in our spiritual preparations to hear the Lord personally, we can be given direction and purpose, leading us to rich spiritual blessings.

The continued pursuit of spiritual direction helps us be instruments in the hands of the Lord. When the wise men “departed into their own country another way” after “being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod” (Matthew 2:12), they show us that continued willingness to seek spiritual direction is a marker of discipleship.

The Magnifying Quality of Responding, "Hineni"

When asked to accept and follow the Lord’s calling of us, like Mary, we may question, “How shall this be?” After responding willingly to the Lord, we can find confidence He will be with us. Why? Gaye reminds us that like Mary, we can trust that the Holy Ghost will magnify our efforts in ways that we “can’t even imagine” when we are “willing to have faith and trust in God to say ‘yes.’"

https://www.ldsliving.com/the-hebrew-word-that-will-change-how-your-family-reads-luke-2/s/12582