The name I AM was first revealed to Moses, when the Lord said, "I AM_WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). Here it signifies that the Lord is "actively present." God's personal name LORD (i.e., Heb. Yahweh) is evidently derived from the verbal form "I AM," and it was to be the name by which Israel knew, remembered, and worshiped the LORD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:15; cf. 6:2-3). I AM also reveals the Lord's eternal and self-sufficient existence and His covenant faithfulness to be with His people (Exodus 3:12) and sustain them in response to their trust in Him. Jesus applied the title I AM to Himself (John 8:58; cf. 8:24, 28). Thereby He clearly claimed identity with the LORD of Israel (cf. Exodus 3:14) and elicited the attempt of the Jewish opposers to stone Him because of alleged blasphemy (John 8:58 cf. 5:18; 10:30, 31, 39). Jesus' claim of this title is also implied in other statements (e.g., John 8:12).

This topic is from the Lockman Foundation.