Disclosure: I will refer to the Creator using masculine pronouns, as this aligns with the traditional use of pronouns in relation to God in the biblical text.

I am not a theologian but a hobbyist, and while I may not fully embrace the Bible as evidence of a living God, I have always been captivated by its mythologies. When addressing religiously rooted texts, I aim to renew the sense of mystery associated with these writings—exploring their enduring relevance without seeking to prove or define them definitively. I hope this approach is fair play.

The biblical account of the Creator’s brief exchange with Moses on Mount Sinai in Exodus 3:14 stands out as the most unique verse among all others due to its singular status, distinguishing it from the rest of its canon.

For years, this passage has felt more like an invitation—one to transcend separateness (individuality) and shift focus to the ongoing collective engagement (uniformity) taking place. This verse always seemed like a clever “Easter Egg” in the Matrix.

Three Verses in Three Books

The Bible contains numerous instances where we, mere mortals, speak on behalf of the Creator, even if we are only considering the Old Testament. However, aside from Exodus 3:14, there appear to be only three other verses with self-describing proclamations made by the Creator.

“And 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.”
— American Standard Version

Now, let’s tally up and lean a little toward orthodoxy. There are approximately 51 books in the Old Testament, and out of the staggering total of around 23,145 verses, only three of them feature the Almighty boasting about His unparalleled uniqueness!

Just three (including Exodus) out of all those verses are:

Isaiah 45:5–6: “I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.”

Isaiah 46:9: “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.”

Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!”

It’s crucial to note that these three verses are merely self-declarations pertaining to status. Interestingly, two of these self-declarations appear within the same chapter of the book of Isaiah.

This leaves us with only one verse. It’s hard to ignore the literary significance of Exodus 3:14. A single God, hence a single cause, results in only one verse revealing the unifying method of divinity responsible for everything.

The Imperfect Form

Delving deeper into this matter requires a meticulous examination of the oldest version of this verse. In which language was it originally written, and how does that linguistic structure operate? Aside from select portions in the books of Daniel and Ezra, Hebrew serves as the primary language, making an analysis of the Jewish Bible a valuable resource for uncovering potential insights.

God said to Moshe, “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh [I am/will be what I am/will be],” and added, “Here is what to say to the people of Isra’el: ‘Ehyeh [I Am or I Will Be] has sent me to you.’” — Complete Jewish Bible

Quite the contrast. One aspect of the interpretation conundrum stems from the inherent ambiguity in the Hebrew conjugation system. The specific phrase in question is אהיה אשר אהיה, where אהיה or “I am” is in the imperfect form.

In the realm of Hebrew grammar lies the enigmatic imperfect form. It is a verb conjugation that embraces incompleteness, allowing for ongoing or unfinished actions in the present or future. It goes beyond merely expressing actions; it breathes life into desires, intentions, and boundless potential.

While it is often translated as future tense in English (“I will be”), the imperfect form is not restricted to future tense; it can also convey habitual actions. Therefore, the translation of “I am who I am” or “I am that I am” suggests that the original authors interpreted it as a statement of habitual behavior rather than a straightforward future tense.

Nouns vs. Verbs

Returning to the verse, even Moses didn’t have the capacity to consider asking God how He was composed. Take a look at the previous verse:

Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” — Exodus 3:13

By responding to Moses’ inquiry in a thought-provoking manner, God challenged him to delve deeper into His true nature, rather than simply His name or label. The imperfect form of God’s existence already indicates that His identity is intertwined with an ongoing process. He exists as the Creator, an active verb, leaving behind objects or nouns as mere byproducts. Ironically, many people with limited understanding have created institutions centered around worshiping these nouns, unknowingly engaging in idolatry at its fundamental level.

Serving as an illustration, imagine there was a tornado tearing across a neighborhood, ripping apart houses and trees. Moses, filled with awe, might have asked God, “What do you call that?” God replies: “tearing that tearing.”

God’s proclamation, “I am that I am,” doesn’t position the Creator at the helm of creation nor hierarchically place Him at the so-called top. Instead, it integrates itself within the outcomes of every outcome and the causes of every cause, thus within everything, everywhere, and forever.

A name is a noun, and a noun is inescapably liable to be composed of verbs (behaviors). A noun is a wrapper, serving as a shortcut to a set of behaviors or actions. Verbs, far from being lifeless, always remain alive, present, and active, requiring nothing other than what is witnessed or read as self-evident. Still with me?

God in the Trenches with Mankind

The implications of Exodus 3:14 open our eyes to the profound and intricate nature of God’s relationship with creation. Rather than seeing God as a distant and unapproachable authority figure, this passage reveals His vulnerability and imperfection, emphasizing His intimate connection with us.

The original Hebrew translation of the verse portrays God as an animated being, constantly in motion and reacting to the consequences of His “will” in relation to the actions of His creation. This perspective highlights the inherent circular relationship between God and His creation, much like the interdependence between organs and the larger organism to which they belong.

To put it simply, what matters to us matters just as much to God. Just as a creature depends on each organ for its survival, so too does God’s relationship with creation hold immense significance. From this viewpoint, it becomes evident that God’s judgments and actions (His will) can be compared to maintaining vitality and health, ensuring the thriving of both Himself and His creation.

In essence, God, like a patient enduring discomfort to rid itself of disease, strives to validate and uphold His own existence without exception. Our successes become His victories, while our failures cause Him distress.

A Vulnerability & Perpetual Struggle

This verse prompts us to contemplate the profound relationship between God and creation. It challenges us to see God as actively engaged, vulnerable, and perpetually striving for existence. When we embrace this understanding, we recognize that we have a parallel role with the Creator, fostering a sense of oneness and inspiring us to strive alongside Him. This distilled verse serves as a timeless reminder of the intricate dynamics that shape our existence and deepen our connection with the divine.

It becomes evident that God does not simply sit on a metaphorical throne; rather, He is in the trenches with humanity, wielding a cosmic shovel and actively engaging in the complexities of existence. Reflecting on this notion, we are irresistibly invited to join forces with the divine, working towards the same goals that nourish our spirits.

Exodus 3:14 offers an invitation to take hold of the cosmic shovel and embark on a partnership with the divine. In this co-creation, the true essence of our existence is found in the most optimistic truth. With mischievous sparks in our eyes, we can accomplish the incredible miracle on earth: becoming co-creators, side by side with God, shaping and refining creation itself through the choices and actions we make in our lives.

Author’s Note: I welcome input from others who are open to engaging in thoughtful discussion without attempting to corner the argument into an irrefutable certainty, acknowledging that faith and spirituality often exist beyond the realm of empirical proof. Filed under Random. Read by Anthony Abraira