Abstract
Abstract:There are instances of the nominal sentence ἐγώ εἰμι in John without a predicate nominal phrase. These have been described as “absolute” ἐγώ εἰμι-phrases (cf. John 8,24). It seems that the construction breaks the rules of Greek grammar. It is commonly assumed, therefore, that these “absolute” ἐγώ εἰμι-phrases are connected with the revelation of God to Moses in Ex 3,14. However, this assumption does not take into consideration the occurrences of the ἐγώ εἰμι-phrases in other contexts. It can be argued that these short nominal sentences are in fact in accordance with the rules of Greek grammar, and that the words ἐγώ εἰμι in the Septuagint are in most cases a translation of the Hebrew personal pronoun in the first person singular. As such they can be translated in most cases as “It is I”. This analysis is important for Johannine theology; in particular, it shows that the use of these words by Jesus cannot be taken as a special revelation.
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