Exodus Chapter 3 · Verse 14

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Original Language Analysis

תֹאמַר֙ I AM THAT I AM and he said H559
תֹאמַר֙ I AM THAT I AM and he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 15
to say (used with great latitude)
אֱלֹהִים֙ And God H430
אֱלֹהִים֙ And God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 2 of 15
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
מֹשֶׁ֔ה unto Moses H4872
מֹשֶׁ֔ה unto Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 4 of 15
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה I AM H1961
אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה I AM
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 5 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה I AM H1961
אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה I AM
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 7 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
תֹאמַר֙ I AM THAT I AM and he said H559
תֹאמַר֙ I AM THAT I AM and he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 15
to say (used with great latitude)
כֹּ֤ה H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 9 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
תֹאמַר֙ I AM THAT I AM and he said H559
תֹאמַר֙ I AM THAT I AM and he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 10 of 15
to say (used with great latitude)
לִבְנֵ֣י unto the children H1121
לִבְנֵ֣י unto the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 11 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 12 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה I AM H1961
אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה I AM
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 13 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שְׁלָחַ֥נִי hath sent H7971
שְׁלָחַ֥נִי hath sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 14 of 15
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ H413
אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
Strong's: H413
Word #: 15 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to

Analysis & Commentary

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you (וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־מֹשֶׁה אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה וַיֹּאמֶר כֹּה תֹאמַר לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶהְיֶה שְׁלָחַנִי אֲלֵיכֶם)—I AM THAT I AM (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה, ehyeh asher ehyeh)—God's self-revelation as the eternally self-existent One. The verb אֶהְיֶה (ehyeh, "I am/I will be") derives from הָיָה (hayah, "to be"), the root of the divine name YHWH (יהוה). This isn't mere existence but active, dynamic being—"I AM who I AM" or "I WILL BE what I WILL BE." God's identity transcends human categories—He is the uncaused cause, the self-existent eternal One. The LXX rendered this ἐγὼ εἰμι ὁ ὤν (ego eimi ho on, "I am the Being One"), shaping Jesus' "I AM" statements (John 8:58). I AM hath sent me—God's name becomes Moses' authority.

Historical Context

This revelation of the divine name I AM/YHWH became the foundation of Israel's monotheism. Unlike pagan gods with origin stories, YHWH exists eternally, uncreated and self-sufficient. The name connects to the verb 'to be,' emphasizing God's absolute existence independent of creation. Jesus' use of 'I AM' (John 8:58, 'Before Abraham was, I AM') claims this divine name, leading to accusations of blasphemy (John 8:59).

Questions for Reflection