Expert: Jim Miller - 4/30/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Jim Miller:
I would appreciate very much if you please inform me wheter the Hebrew words "Eheyeh Asher Eheyeh" translated as "I Am That I Am" occurs only once in the Bible.
Thank you
Respectfully yours,
Farooq

ANSWER:     The words themselves are very common in the Hebrew Bible, but they occur in this combination only once, Exodus 3:14.
   I hope this is helpful,
Jim Miller

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Mr. Miller:
Thanks a lot for your reply.  Would you please clarify this.
It seems to me that "Eheyeh Asher Eheyh" is in the third person signular number and "IAm That I Am" in the first person singular.  Would you please inform me what is in the original.
Thanks again.
Respectfully yours,
Farooq

Answer
    Ehyeh is the 1st person singular imperfect form of the verb hayah.  The imperfect is usually translated in the future tense, but for this verb it is usually translated in the present tense.  That is why many translations translate this as, "I am that I am", but have a footnote alternative translation, "I will be who I will be."
    Asher is the relative pronoun (which, that, who).
    I hope this is helpful,
Jim Miller