Exodus 3:14
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
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
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)
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)
Cross References
Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.John 8:58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.Revelation 1:8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.Psalms 90:2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.Revelation 1:4John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;Exodus 6:3And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.Revelation 1:17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:Revelation 4:8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.Psalms 68:4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
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
- How does the name 'I AM' reveal God's self-existence and independence from all created things, including your circumstances?
- What does Jesus' use of 'I AM' statements in John's Gospel teach about His divine identity as YHWH incarnate?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
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.