Ehyeh

by Logos Gardener 24/9/2025

Ehyeh (Hebrew: ж԰ٶ�) is the profound divine self-revelation meaning “I Am” or “I Will Be,” representing God’s eternal, self-existent nature. This name appears in the famous burning bush encounter between God and Moses, forming the theological foundation for understanding the sacred name YHWH. The full phrase Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh (ж԰ٶ� в�� ж԰ٶ�) - “I Am who I Am” - stands as one of the most significant theological statements in Scripture.

Etymology and Meaning

Derivation and Root

Ehyeh derives from the Hebrew root �� (hayah), meaning “to be, to exist, to become”:

First person imperfect: Ehyeh (ж԰ٶ�) - “I am, I will be”
Third person imperfect: Yihyeh (ٴ԰ٶ�) - “He is, He will be”
Related form: YHWH (��) - Third person form of the same root
Perfect tense: Hayah (��) - “He was, He existed”

Grammatical Significance

The Hebrew imperfect tense in Ehyeh expresses:

Continuous existence: Ongoing, unending being
Future certainty: “I will be” what I choose to be
Active presence: Dynamic existence, not static being
Covenant reliability: “I will be” present with my people

The Full Revelation (Exo 03#14)

Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh (ж԰ٶ� в�� ж԰ٶ�):

Literal translation: “I Am who I Am” or “I Will Be who I Will Be”
Emphatic construction: Hebrew way of expressing absolute or exclusive identity
Self-definition: God defines Himself by His own existence
Covenant formula: Establishing the basis for divine-human relationship

Biblical Context and Usage

The Burning Bush Encounter (Exo 03#13-15)

The definitive revelation occurs when Moses asks for God’s name:

“Then Moses said to Elohim, ‘If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, “The Elohim of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ Elohim said to Moses, ‘Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: Ehyeh has sent me to you.’ Elohim also said to Moses, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: YHWH, the Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.’”

Theological Context

This revelation comes at a crucial moment:

National crisis: Israel enslaved in Egypt
Divine commission: Moses called to deliver the people
Identity question: Need for authoritative divine name
Covenant renewal: Connecting to patriarchal promises

Three-fold Revelation Structure

The passage presents a progressive revelation:

Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh - Complete self-definition
Ehyeh - Shortened form for communication
YHWH - Third-person covenant name for ongoing use

Theological Significance

Divine Attributes Revealed Through Ehyeh

Self-Existence (Aseity)

Ehyeh reveals God’s absolute independence:

Uncaused existence: God exists by His own nature
Self-sufficient being: Needs nothing external for existence
Independent reality: Not dependent on creation or circumstances
Eternal presence: Always has been, is, and will be

Immutability and Faithfulness

The continuous aspect emphasizes:

Unchanging nature: God’s character remains constant
Reliable presence: “I will be” with my people always
Covenant consistency: The same God across generations
Future assurance: God will be what He promises to be

Personal Accessibility

Despite absolute transcendence:

Personal encounter: God reveals Himself to individuals
Relational availability: “I AM” present with my people
Covenant partnership: Divine commitment to human relationship
Active involvement: God participates in human history

Divine Freedom and Sovereignty

“I Will Be who I Will Be” expresses:

Self-determination: God defines His own nature and actions
Sovereign choice: Freedom to reveal Himself as He chooses
Transcendent mystery: Beyond complete human comprehension
Authoritative presence: Commands attention and obedience

Relationship with YHWH

Linguistic Connection

Same root: Both from hayah (to be)
Grammatical relationship: First person (Ehyeh) to third person (YHWH)
Progressive revelation: From self-description to covenant name
Theological unity: Same divine being, different perspectives

Functional Distinction

Ehyeh: God’s self-revelation and self-understanding
YHWH: Human reference to the revealed God
Personal vs. Relational: Internal identity vs. covenant relationship
Revelation vs. Invocation: Divine disclosure vs. human worship

Direct Usage

All three occurrences appear in Exo 03#14:

Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh - Complete self-revelation
Ehyeh - Shortened communication form
Transition to YHWH - Covenant name establishment

Theological Echoes

The concept appears throughout Scripture:

Jesus’ “I Am” Statements (John’s Gospel)

“I am the bread of life” - Sustenance and sufficiency
“I am the light of the world” - Illumination and guidance
“Before Abraham was, I am” - Eternal existence claim
Connection: New Testament appropriation of divine self-revelation

Divine Presence Promises

“I will be with you” - Moses’ commission (Exo 03#12)
“I am with you always” - Jesus’ promise (Matthew 28:20)
Theological continuity: Same divine presence across covenants

YHWH - Covenant development of Ehyeh
El Shaddai - Patriarchal name superseded by Ehyeh revelation
Elohim - Creator God who reveals as Ehyeh
Adonai - Sovereign Lord who is eternally existent

Philosophical and Theological Implications

Being and Existence

Ehyeh addresses fundamental philosophical questions:

Nature of existence: What it means “to be”
Ground of being: Ultimate foundation of all reality
Necessity vs. contingency: God as necessary being
Temporal vs. eternal: Divine existence beyond time

Revelation and Knowledge

The name reveals principles about divine disclosure:

Self-revelation: God must reveal Himself to be known
Progressive revelation: Growing understanding over time
Covenantal knowledge: Relational rather than merely intellectual
Mystery preservation: Complete knowledge impossible for finite minds

Faith and Relationship

Ehyeh establishes the foundation for:

Covenant trust: Reliance on unchanging divine character
Personal relationship: God as “I AM” present with individuals
Historical confidence: Divine faithfulness across time
Future hope: “I will be” promises for tomorrow

Modern Relevance and Application

Theological Understanding

Ehyeh provides foundation for:

Divine transcendence: God above and beyond creation
Divine immanence: God personally present and accessible
Covenant reliability: Unchanging divine character ensures promise fulfillment
Existential grounding: Ultimate reality and meaning found in God

Practical Applications

Identity and purpose: Finding ultimate identity in relationship with “I AM”
Security and stability: Confidence in unchanging divine presence
Prayer and worship: Approaching the eternally present God
Life transitions: Trust in God who “will be” in future circumstances

Interfaith and Philosophical Dialogue

Understanding Ehyeh helps address:

Existence of God: Biblical foundation for divine being
Nature of ultimate reality: Personal vs. impersonal ultimate
Religious epistemology: How divine knowledge is possible
Comparative religion: Unique aspects of biblical monotheism

Textual and Interpretive Considerations

Translation Challenges

Tense ambiguity: “I Am” vs. “I Will Be”
Emphatic construction: Capturing Hebrew intensity in English
Theological precision: Maintaining doctrinal accuracy
Cultural bridge: Ancient concepts for modern understanding

Jewish and Christian Interpretation

Jewish tradition: Emphasis on divine transcendence and mystery
Christian interpretation: Connection to Jesus’ “I Am” statements
Theological development: Trinitarian implications and discussions
Liturgical usage: Worship and prayer applications

Ehyeh stands as the supreme divine self-revelation - the eternal “I AM” who exists in absolute independence yet chooses to enter into covenant relationship with His people, guaranteeing His faithful presence throughout all generations.