Exodus 3:14
What does Exodus 3:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 3:14 means
In response to Moses's question, God revealed His most profound and significant name: "I AM THAT I AM." This declaration speaks to God's self-existence, eternal nature, and absolute sovereignty. He is not dependent on anything or anyone; He simply IS. He then instructed Moses to tell the Israelites that "I AM" had sent him, emphasizing His unchanging, ever-present reality as the ultimate authority behind Moses's mission. This name encapsulates God's eternal being.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And God said to him, I AM WHAT I AM: and he said, Say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And God saith unto Moses, `I AM THAT WHICH I AM;' He saith also, `Thus dost thou say to the sons of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752God said to Moses: I AM WHO AM. He said: Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: HE WHO IS, hath sent me to you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890AndGod said to 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.
Context
This verse provides the central revelation of God's divine name, directly addressing Moses's query from the previous verse. The profound meaning of "I AM THAT I AM" is pivotal for understanding God's nature and is foundational for assuring both Moses and the Israelites of the sender's ultimate power and authority. This name is key to God's identity.
v.13And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them?
v.14This passage
v.15And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 1:8
I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
- Isaiah 44:6
Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.
- Exodus 6:3
and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them.
- Psalms 68:4
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him.
- Revelation 1:17
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,
- John 8:28
Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things.
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