The Meaning and Influence of ‘I Am That I Am’ Across Religious Traditions

"I Am That I Am" is the English translation of the Hebrew phrase אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה ('ehye 'ăšer 'ehye), found in Exodus 3:14, where God reveals His name to Moses at the burning bush. The phrase reflects God’s self-existence, emphasizing that He exists independently and is ultimately unknowable. The term אֶהְיֶה (ehyeh) suggests various meanings, such as "I am," "I will be," or "I create," highlighting the complexity of the Hebrew verb. In Judaism, this name signifies God’s transcendence and mystery, with interpretations ranging from asserting God’s self-sufficiency to His promise to be present in times of need. The name is closely associated with the Tetragrammaton (YHVH), which emphasizes God’s holiness and the idea that He exists in an eternal present. In Christianity, "I Am That I Am" reinforces doctrines of God's self-existence and sovereignty, linking it to Jesus's "I am" statements in the Gospel of John, where He asserts His divinity by identifying with the name given to God in Exodus. This connection underscores the continuity of the concept of God's nature across both religions.