What does 'I Am' mean in the Bible?

Think about the statement “I Am” in the Bible – How many times do you think it is there? Perhaps you are familiar with the Old Testament moment when God introduced Himself to Moses from the burning bush. Did you know that Christ Jesus of Nazareth also used many “I Am”-statements in the New Testament?

God’s people have studied the Word of God (the Bible) for many years in search of the answer to this question. This post will discover how many times God calls himself “I Am” in the Bible with the hopes of uncovering the meaning of these “I Am” statements. 

How come God introduced Himself as “I Am” in the Book of Exodus in the Bible?

The first time God calls Himself “I Am” in all the Books of the Bible is found in the Book of Exodus. The entire Bible tells the story of God’s great love for His people. In this passage, God is once again revealing His love by offering a way to save His people from captivity. God chooses to do it through Moses. Let’s see what the Bible says:

“Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”

This I AM means:

• I was and is and is to come (Rev. 1:8)

• I will become who I choose to become

• I am always the same (Heb. 13:8)

• I shall continue to be what I have always been

• I do not change (Mal. 3:6)

Moses somehow understood that the people needed God’s signature on the message he was supposed to give them. When he shared the “I Am” message with the people, this was their response:

“And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.” (Ex. 4:31)

Their reaction was gratitude and worship! God revealing Himself as “I Am” was sweet as honey to those who heard it. The rest of the whole Bible narrative was built on this foundation. This is the most famous “I Am” verse in the Bible.

Jesus’ words: “I Am”- statements in the Bible

When we dive a little deeper into the theme of “I Am” in the Bible, something fascinating comes up. Jesus Christ made seven “I Am” statements according to the Gospel of John. 

These are not the same as the NAME of God used in Exodus!  But, when we study “I Am” as a theme in the Bible, these statements by the Son of God also matter. 

Let’s look at each of them below:

“I am the bread of life”

Jesus said: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

(Joh. 6:35-40)

“I am the light of the world”

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.”  Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.

In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” ​

(Joh. 8:12-19)

“I am the door”(the only way)

 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

(Joh. 10:1-10)

“I am the good shepherd

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ​He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ​He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ​

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ​just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. ​And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. ​For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. ​No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

(Joh. 10:11-18)

“I am the resurrection and life”(source of life)

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ​But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

(Joh. 11:21-27)

“I am the way, the truth, and the life”

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;“I am the vine”

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.

Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

(Joh. 15:1-8)

“I Am” Passages for further reading:

– Genesis 35:11

– Genesis 46:3

– Ezekiel 28:9

– Isaiah 43:12

– Isaiah 45:22

– Isaiah 46:9

– Psalms 46:10

– Psalms 50:7

– Hosea 11:9

– Matthew 14:26-27

– Mark 14:61-62

– John 8:58

– Revelation 22:13

Meaning of why God kept calling Himself “I Am”

• God does not hide Himself from us

• Those who seek Him will find Him

• God’s identity is unchanging

• Jesus spoke in metaphors (parables) we can understand

• God is who He is

If you want to dive even deeper into the names of God, I recommend watching this video on God’s Name by the Bible Project. 

Let’s get into the practicals. Now that we have looked at the many times in the Bible when God said “I Am”, the question remains: What does this mean for us today?

“I Am” identity statements to remember in dark times

​As a follower of Christ, it is important that you also get to know your own identity in Him. Use the identity statements below to remind yourself of your own name in God.

• I am set free (Eph. 1:7) 

• I am no longer a slave to sin (Rom. 6:6)

• I am made new (2 Cor. 5:17)

• I am filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18)

• I am His prized possession (Deut. 14:2)

• I am a child of God (Ps. 139)

• I am beloved (Song of Sol. 2:16)

• I am chosen (1 Pet. 2:9)

• I am never alone (Is. 43:2)

Prayer about “I Am” in the Bible

Dear I AM, Thank You for revealing Yourself to me in this new way today. As I grow and learn more about Your Word, the Bible, I am getting a better understanding of who You are. I pray that You will show me who You really are so that I can live close to You and also become who You made me to be. If You are “I AM”… Who am I? Talk to me through your Holy Spirit and give me insight into my identity in You today and forevermore, because I love You my Heavenly Father,Amen

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