Regards \’ego eimi\’ and John 8:58; Part 1

John 8:58 [ego eimi] and, Exodus 3:14-15 [ego eimi ho on],
are not proof texts for the Jesus is YAHWEH belief.

Did Jesus say \”I AM\” meaning \”God\” as so many are taught from pulpits around the world?
NO, AND HERE IS THE PROOF:

The use of uppercase letters when translating \”ego eimi\” in John 8:58 and \”ego eimi ho on\” in Exodus 3:14, is deceptive and misleads people to think Jesus is YAHWEH.

The Greek expression, \”ego eimi\” is never used as a name for YAHWEH, Jesus, or anyone.

The Greek in Exodus 3:14 reads \”ego eimi ho on\”
\”ego eimi\” translates (I am)
\”ho on\” translates (the one who is).\”

There is no connection between \”ego eimi\” in John 8:58
and \”ego eimi ho on\” in Exodus 3:14-15.

1)
Furthermore, God said to Moses, “Tell the children of Israel this:
‘I am the one who is [ego eimi ho on] … YAHWEH, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered, my memorial to all generations. ~ Moses, Exodus 3:14-15.

2)
\”I am YAHWEH, that is my name.\” Isaiah 42:8

The truth has been established by two witnesses.

People also need to be aware that the verse numbers in the OT are not in the original Hebrew, they are added. There is no sentence breaks either. Therefore, it is improper to break up verses 14 and 15 in Exodus 3.

They must be read together as one statement.
Reading Exodus 3:14 and claiming the Greek expression \”ego eimi ho on\” is the same as \”ego eimi\” in John 8:58 does an injustice to [God\’s word]

The 70 plus Hebrew scholars that translated the Hebrew texts into Greek (LXX) chose to translate \”EHYEH ASHER EHYEH\” as \”ego eimi ho on\” which translates to English as \”I am the one who is\”

The next verse tells us \”WHO\” is \”YAHWEH.\”

Should we ignore the 70 or more Hebrew scholars who all agreed to the above translation?

Jesus NEVER EVER says I am YAHWEH.
Jesus tells us his Father is greater then he is, and greater than ALL.

In John 8:58 Jesus was declaring himself to be the Messiah who was prophesied to come before Abraham existed. He was not declaring himself to be God.

CONTEXT is needed to understand this final declaration by Jesus that comes at the end of a long conversation.

The Greek expression is \”ego eimi.\”
This expression is not a name for anyone.

JOHN 4:
25 The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he (ego eimi).” [the Messiah].
The Greek \”ego eimi\” in John 8:24 and John 8:58 translates to English as:
\”I am the one\” (the Messiah).

Elsewhere the phrase ego eimi is translated:
“I am [he]”—Mark 13:6; Luke 21:8; John 13:19; John 18:5-8; John 6:20.

\”I am [the one]\” who (ho) you are speaking with (John 4:26) Jesus declares himself to be the Messiah in response to the woman who refers to the coming of Messiah in the previous verse. John 4:25

\”I am\” (one who testifies) John 8:18

\”I am\” (going away) John 8:21

Where \”I am\” (going) John 8:21 and John 8:22

\”I am\” (from above) John 8:23

\”I am\” (the light of the world) John 8:12

“I am [he]\” or \”I am [the one]\” meaning: I am the Messiah John 8:24; John 8:28; John 8:58

“It is I”—Matt. 14:27; Mark 6:50;

\”I am\” (not worthy) Matthew 3:11

\”I am\” (not alone) John 8:16

\”I am\” (generous) Matthew 20:15

The point is: \”ego eimi\” is a popular Greek expression that means I am something or someone and what the someone or something is relates back to the subject within the context. In the case of John 8:58 it refers to the Messiah….the anointed one of God who was prophesied to come long before Abraham was born. See Deuteronomy 18:18.

In John 8:58 Jesus is telling the Jews that he was in God\’s foreknowledge, plan, and purpose for redeeming mankind before Abraham existed. Jesus is not saying that he pre-existed as a being in heaven before Abraham existed. The view that Jesus preexisted conflicts with the Bible.