What does Exodus 3:14 mean?
“God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’””
God reveals his name to Moses: "I AM WHO I AM." The name marks God as self-existent, eternal, and present — the God who needs no other to be.
Moses asks what name to give the people when they ask who sent him. God answers with a name unlike any other: "I AM WHO I AM" (Hebrew Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh).
The name speaks of self-existence — God simply is. He is not derived from anyone or anything. And it speaks of presence — the God who will be with his people in their slavery and out of it.
In John, Jesus picks up this name with his "I am" sayings, identifying himself with the I AM of Exodus 3:14.
Hebrew word studies — original-language background to the verse.
Original BibleDawn explanation · reviewed 2026-06-07. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.