אהיה אשר אהיה
eheyeh asher eheyeh
In Hebrew, "I am who I am" is translated as אהיה אשר אהיה (eheyeh asher eheyeh).
The phrase אהיה אשר אהיה is used specifically in a theological context to refer to the divine name revealed to Moses in the Book of Exodus.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the first-person singular imperfect verb אהיה (I will be) and the relative pronoun אשר (who/which/that).
Which one should you use?
While אהיה אשר אהיה is the biblical name of God, other forms exist for different meanings: אני הוא שאני translates to "I am who I am" in a formal sense and אני מה שאני translates to "I am what I am" in an informal sense.
How do you pronounce it?
eheyeh asher eheyeh
Did you know?
- Because this phrase contains the divine name of God, many observant Jews will avoid pronouncing it aloud, using substitutes like Adonai or Hashem instead.
- While אהיה אשר אהיה refers to God, the informal version אני מה שאני is commonly used today to express a stubborn acceptance of one's own personality.
- The relative pronoun אשר in this phrase is cognate to the Arabic word for 'trace' or 'vestige' and the Aramaic word for 'a spot'.
Examples in context
- אני הוא שאני, פשוט מקבל את החיים ונהנה ממה שיש לי.I am who I am, I simply accept life and enjoy what I have.
- הוא אמר: 'אהיה אשר אהיה'.hu amar: 'ehyeh asher ehyeh'.He said: 'I am who I am'.
- השם המקראי הוא אהיה אשר אהיה.hashem hamikra'i hu ehyeh asher ehyeh.The biblical name is I am who I am.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a religious studies text in a library.
- איתי Itayמה המשמעות של אהיה אשר אהיה?ma hamashma'ut shel ehyeh asher ehyeh?What is the meaning of I am who I am?
- עגור Adiזה שם של אלוהים, איתי.ze shem shel elohim, Itai.It is a name of God, Itai.
- איתי Itayזה נשמע מאוד עתיק.ze nishme'a me'od atik.It sounds very ancient.
- עגור Adiנכון, זה מופיע בתורה.nachon, ze mofia batora.True, it appears in the Torah.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אהיה אשר אהיה, אשר, CC BY-SA 4.0.
