Can you share Neman Epchois?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The phrase you are referring to is Neman Epchois. This is a native Coptic phrase frequently used in our liturgical prayers and hymns.

Translation and Meaning

• Neman: With us (composed of "with" and the suffix "us").
• Epchois: The Lord.

Together, it means "The Lord is with us."

Liturgical Usage

This phrase is most famously recognized in the hymn "The Lord is with us", which is chanted during the Great Fast (Lent) and the Fast of Nineveh during the service of Great Compline.

The full refrain is typically:

::.**

(The Lord, the God of hosts, is with us; for we have no helper in our hardships and tribulations but You.)

Linguistic Breakdown

• Epchois: This is a native Coptic word for "The Lord." In the Sahidic dialect, it is written as.
• Phnouti: This is the native Coptic word for "God."
• Ni-dynamis: This contains a Greek loanword meaning "powers" or "hosts."
• Thlypsis: This is a Greek loanword meaning "tribulations" or "afflictions."

Notable Cantors

If you are looking to listen to the proper ecclesiastical recording of this hymn, I recommend listening to the versions by the great Moalemeen (Cantors) of our Church, such as:

• Moalem Ibrahim Ayad
• Moalem Gad Lewis
• Moalem George Mikhail
• Moalem Zaher Andrawes
• Moalem Mina Makar
• Moalem Milad Nady