I consider that I have stated sufficient to prove that the correct rendition of Exodus 3:14 is "I will be". Also I have a rather different perspective on John 8:58 and I briefly started this by stating that John 8:58 should be rendered "I am he", the same as in the immediate context John 8:24,28 and is part of the theme of whether Jesus is the Christ.
"the Lord of glory" This phrase is used of YHWH in Acts 7:2; Eph. 1:17 and probably is an allusion to Exod. 24:16. A similar phrase is used of Jesus in James 2:1. This is another example of NT authors using a
title of YHWH for Jesus and, thereby, asserting His equality with YHWH (cf. 2 Cor. 4:6).
In Gen. 4:26 it is said "men began to call upon the name of the Lord" (YHWH). However, Exod. 6:3 implies that early covenant people (the Patriarchs and their families) knew God only as El Shaddai The name YHWH is explained only one time in Exod. 3:13-16, esp. v. 14. However, the writings of Moses often interpret words by popular word plays, not etymologies (cf. Gen. 17:5; 27:36; 29:13-35).
There have been several theories as to the meaning of this name (taken from IDB, vol. 2, pp. 409-11).
from an Arabic root
, "to show fervent love"
from an Arabic root
"to blow" (YHWH as storm God)
from a Ugartic (Canaanite) root
"to speak"
following a Phoenician inscription, a CAUSATIVE PARTICIPLE meaning
"the One who sustains," or "the One who establishes"
from the Hebrew Qal form
"the One who is," or "the One who is present" (in FUTURE TENSE, "the One who will be")
from the Hebrew Hiphil form
"the One who causes to be"
from the Hebrew root "to live" (e.g., Gen. 3:21),
meaning "the ever-living, only-living One"
from the context of Exod. 3:13-16 a play on the IMPERFECT form used in a PERFECT TENSE,
"I shall continue to be what I used to be" or "I shall continue to be what I have always been" (cf. J. Wash Watts, A Survey of Syntax in the Old Testament, p. 67).
The full name YHWH is often expressed in abbreviation or possibly an original form.
(1) Yah (e.g., Hallelu ‒ yah, BDB 219, cf. Exod. 15:2; 17:16; Ps. 89:8; 104:35)
(2) Yahu ("iah" ending of names, e.g., Isaiah)
(3) Yo ("Jo," beginning of names, e.g., Joshua or Joel)
There has been much speculation about the meaning of this name (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1295-1300).
There is still mystery here. It is surely possible that Moses' question is about God's character (cf. Exod. 34:6), not a title. God's answer is
(1) I am too mysterious for you to grasp.
(2) I am the ever present One.
(3) I am sovereign and will do what I will ("He causes to be," Albright).
(4)
The Hiphil implies causality, therefore, "I Am The Creator God."
(5) John Walton, the God who creates a relationship (i.e., covenant-making God).
(6) The Jewish Study Bible (p. 111) suggests it means "My nature will become evident from My actions."
(7) Summary, see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 1024-1025
Should we look for etymology or imagery? The JPSOA lists three possible options for the Hebrew.
(a) I Am That I Am
(b) I Am Who I Am
(c) I Will Be What I Will Be
In later Judaism this covenant name became so holy (the tetragrammaton) that Jews were afraid to say it lest they break the command of Exod. 20:7; Deut. 5:11; 6:13. So they substituted the Hebrew term for "owner," "master," "husband," "lord"—
adon or adonai (my lord; see SPECIAL TOPIC: LORD (adon and kurios). When they came to YHWH in their reading of OT texts they pronounced "lord."
This is why YHWH is written Lord in English translations.
As with El, YHWH is often combined with other terms to emphasize certain characteristics of the Covenant God of Israel. While there are many possible combination terms, here are some.
(1) YHWH ‒ Yireh (YHWH will provide, BDB 217 & 906), Gen. 22:14
(2) YHWH ‒ Rophekha (YHWH is your healer, BDB 217 & 950, Qal PARTICIPLE), Exod. 15:26
(3) YHWH ‒ Nissi (YHWH is my banner, BDB 217 & 651), Exod. 17:15
(4) YHWH ‒ Meqaddishkem (YHWH the One who sanctifies you, BDB 217 & 872, Piel PARTICIPLE), Exod. 31:13
(5) YHWH ‒ Shalom (YHWH is Peace, BDB 217 & 1022), Jdgs. 6:24
(6) YHWH ‒ Sabbaoth (YHWH of hosts, BDB 217 & 878), 1 Sam. 1:3,11; 4:4; 15:2; often in the Prophets
(7) YHWH ‒ Ro'I (YHWH is my shepherd, BDB 217 & 944, Qal PARTICIPAL), Ps. 23:1
(8) YHWH ‒ Sidqenu (YHWH is our righteousness, BDB 217 & 841), Jer. 23:6
(9) YHWH ‒ Shammah (YHWH is there, BDB 217 & 1027), Ezek. 48:35
Names for Deity -- Special Topic by Dr. Bob Utley, professor of hermeneutics (retired).
freebiblecommentary.org
Regards
TrevorL
Johann.