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.

And God {H430} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, I AM {H1961} THAT I AM {H1961}: and he said {H559}, Thus shalt thou say {H559} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, I AM hath sent {H7971} me unto you.

God said to Moshe, "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I am/will be what I am/will be]," and added, "Here is what to say to the people of Isra'el: 'Ehyeh [I Am or I Will Be] has sent me to you.'"

God said to Moses, β€œI AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: β€˜I AM has sent me to you.’”

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.

Commentary

Commentary on Exodus 3:14 (KJV)

Verse Text: "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."

Historical and Cultural Context

This pivotal moment occurs at the burning bush, where God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Moses asks God for His name, a crucial request in ancient cultures where names were thought to reveal the essence and power of a person or deity. Knowing God's name would give Moses authority and assurance when speaking to the enslaved Israelites.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Self-Existence and Eternal Nature: The name "I AM THAT I AM" signifies that God's existence is inherent and dependent on nothing else. He simply IS. This declares His eternal nature, without beginning or end.
  • God's Sovereignty and Unchanging Character: The name implies God's absolute freedom and control. He is who He is, and He will be who He will be. He is not subject to change or external forces.
  • God's Presence and Reliability: The name can also be understood in a relational sense: "I Will Be Who I Will Be" or "I Will Be There As I Will Be There." It assures Moses (and Israel) that God will be present with them and will act according to His nature and promises.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "I AM THAT I AM" is "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh" (א֢הְי֢ה אֲשׁ֢ר א֢הְי֢ה). "Ehyeh" is the first-person singular form of the verb "to be" (hayah). This statement is closely related to the personal name of God, YHWH (the Tetragrammaton), which is often understood as the third-person form ("He Is" or "He Causes to Be"). By revealing "Ehyeh," God emphasizes His immediate, self-existent being, which is the foundation of His name YHWH.

Cross-References

The profound meaning of "I AM" resonates throughout Scripture. Jesus uses similar "I AM" statements about himself in the Gospel of John, often claiming divine identity (e.g., John 8:58, where Jesus says, "Before Abraham was, I am").

Practical Application

Understanding "I AM THAT I AM" provides a foundation for faith. It reminds us that the God we worship is the ultimate reality, the source of all existence, and utterly reliable. We can trust His promises because His character is unchanging and His presence is assured for those who belong to Him. He is not merely a historical figure or a philosophical concept, but the ever-present, self-sufficient God who is actively involved in the lives of His people.

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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 13:8 (52 votes)

    Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

  • John 8:58 (51 votes)

    Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

  • Revelation 1:8 (42 votes)

    I 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 90:2 (38 votes)

    Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God.

  • Isaiah 44:6 (32 votes)

    Thus 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 1:4 (24 votes)

    John 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;

  • Revelation 1:17 (22 votes)

    And 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: