A Significant Dissertation The Problem which the question after the origin

and interpretation of the tetragrammaton offers…is one of the most fascinating ones of the many which the Jewish Scriptures present. Unfortunately the material from which to work is not very large. As the sources outside of the Old Testament are of rather doubtful nature, we are compelled to base our investigations mainly upon the few statements contained in the Jewish writings…

The Origin and Interpretation of the Tetragrammaton, by Hans Speer, Doctoral Thesis New York University, 1889

I Am That I Am • Hayah, “to be”, 1st person singular future (or

future perfect) with reflexive particle “ser” (that, who): “Ehyeh asher Ehyeh”

• The Fanciful theory that the word is a combination of the future, present and perfect

tenses of the verb, signifying “the One who will be, is, and was,” is not to be taken seriously.”– Stier, Oehler’s Old Testament Theology

This “fanciful” theory advocated by, among others, Walter Martin, co-author of Kingdom of the Cults

I Am• 3rd person singular, imperfect of the verb “to be,” ( hayah)• Imperfect is indefinite usually translate as present• Dynamic Hebrew, an entity is a behavior,

not he who executes the a behavior, not existence, but action.

• Puzzled by diverse opinions till 5 words

The Five Words

• “To Be Is To Do”

• The Hebrew “to be,” is more dynamic than the English “to be.” It is not primarily existence, but actionAriel Uittenbogaard, Abarim Publications

E.g., “No idol is anything” (I Cor. 8:4)

Which two most alike?

Compare Behavior, What They Do

How Does “To be is to do” relate to YHWH

• YHWH: Gen. 3:14-15• I AM hath sent….YHWH hath sent• YHWH the noun form from “Hayah”

(to be) root• I AM in Ex. 3:14, 3rd person, thus I

AM, understood as “He who - does”• “The imperfect of the verb ‘to be’

indicates an action that reveals the nature of the one who is doing the acting.”

A Common Concept Among Diverse Opinions

Causes to be….A more dynamic sense than mere existence, but becoming,

happening…To be actively present…Not mere being but active being…One who acts…Actively present – I made to be…Acting and self manifesting…In phenomena (Self Manifesting Existence)Hiph il (fp) and Qal (f) respectively, ever coming into

manifestation…To be actively present…Thus: To be is to do.

Summarizing, I AM, YHWH

1. The name of God, YHWH is from the root of the Hebrew “to be” verb.

2. Vowel points of the name are missing in our copies of Hebrew Scriptures

3. The verb signifies one involved in volitional positive action manifesting himself therein

4. The “I Am” from whence derived is 3rd person , singular, imperfect (not limited in action)

5. Thus identifies a “he who” manifest in continuing action. I Am He Who

Summarizing I AM, YHWH #26. Considering the one common theme of scholars, I

believe we may conclude that God thus identifies himself as, and that his name means,

“He who is in what happens”7. The quality expressed in Eph 1:13; Eph. 4:6; Acts

17:24-26; Heb. 4:13 (enabling Rom. 8:28).a. note how his actions identify: Jer. 16:21, name

epitomized by actions.8. As a bonus, “I Am that I Am,” or “I will be who/what

I will be (ISBE), If to be is to do, I AM that/what I Do, or, Causes to happen. 9. Little philosophical argument: Rather, See what I

Do. 10. Speer sees relationship, secondarily consequenses.