Topical Encyclopedia
The phrase "I Will Be" is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of God's self-revelation and His promises to His people. This expression is most notably associated with the divine name revealed to Moses in the book of Exodus.
Divine Self-RevelationIn
Exodus 3:14, during the encounter at the burning bush, God reveals Himself to Moses with the phrase "I AM WHO I AM" . This declaration is closely linked to the Hebrew phrase "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh," which can also be translated as "I Will Be Who I Will Be." This self-identification emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent nature and His unchanging presence. It signifies that God is not bound by time or circumstance and that He will be whatever His people need Him to be.
Covenantal AssuranceThe phrase "I Will Be" also appears in the context of God's covenantal promises. In
Genesis 17:7, God promises Abraham, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you" . Here, "I Will Be" underscores God's commitment to His covenant people, assuring them of His perpetual presence and faithfulness.
Presence and GuidanceThroughout the Old Testament, God reassures His people with the promise of His presence. In
Exodus 3:12, God tells Moses, "I will surely be with you" , as Moses is commissioned to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This assurance of divine presence is a recurring theme, as seen in
Joshua 1:5, where God promises Joshua, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you" .
Prophetic FulfillmentThe prophetic literature also echoes the theme of "I Will Be" in relation to God's future plans for His people. In
Jeremiah 31:33, God declares, "I will be their God, and they will be My people" , as part of the promise of a new covenant. This promise is fulfilled in the New Testament through the person and work of Jesus Christ, who embodies God's presence among His people.
New Testament ContinuationIn the New Testament, the concept of "I Will Be" is reflected in the promises of Jesus Christ. In
Matthew 28:20, Jesus assures His disciples, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" . This promise of continual presence echoes the Old Testament assurances and highlights the fulfillment of God's covenantal promises through Christ.
Theological SignificanceThe phrase "I Will Be" encapsulates the essence of God's character as eternal, faithful, and ever-present. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His people. This assurance provides comfort and hope, reinforcing the belief that God is actively involved in the lives of His followers, guiding and sustaining them through all circumstances.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
I Will BeI WILL BE
See GOD, NAMES OF.
Greek
2307. thelema -- will ... will. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: thelema Phonetic Spelling:
(thel'-ay-mah) Short Definition:
will, wish, desire Definition: an act of
will ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2307.htm - 7k1014. boulomai -- to will
... to will. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: boulomai Phonetic Spelling:
(boo'-lom-ahee) Short Definition: I will, intend, desire Definition: I will, intend ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1014.htm - 9k
2309. thelo -- to will, wish
... to will, wish. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: thelo Phonetic Spelling: (
eth-el'-o,) Short Definition: I will, wish, desire Definition: I will, wish ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2309.htm - 11k
2308. thelesis -- will
... will. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: thelesis Phonetic Spelling:
(thel'-ay-sis) Short Definition: a willing, will Definition: a willing, will. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2308.htm - 6k
1013. boulema -- purpose, will
... purpose, will. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: boulema Phonetic Spelling:
(boo'-lay-mah) Short Definition: will, counsel, purpose Definition: will ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1013.htm - 7k
1242. diatheke -- testament, will, covenant
... testament, will, covenant. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diatheke
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ath-ay'-kay) Short Definition: a covenant, will ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1242.htm - 7k
1595. hekousios -- of free will, voluntary
... of free will, voluntary. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hekousios Phonetic
Spelling: (hek-oo'-see-on) Short Definition: willing, voluntary ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1595.htm - 6k
1635. hekon -- of one's own free will, voluntary
... of one's own free will, voluntary. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hekon
Phonetic Spelling: (hek-own') Short Definition: willing, willingly Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1635.htm - 6k
1303. diatithemi -- to place separately, ie dispose of by a will
... to place separately, ie dispose of by a will. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
diatithemi Phonetic Spelling: (dee-at-ith'-em-ahee) Short Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1303.htm - 7k
4396. prophetes -- a prophet (an interpreter or forth-teller of ...
... a prophet (an interpreter or forth-teller of the divine will). Part of Speech: Noun,
Masculine Transliteration: prophetes Phonetic Spelling: (prof-ay'-tace ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4396.htm - 8k
Strong's Hebrew
7522. ratson -- goodwill, favor, acceptance, will... ratson or ratson. 7523 . goodwill, favor, acceptance,
will. Transliteration: ratson
or ratson Phonetic Spelling: (raw-tsone') Short Definition: favor.
... /hebrew/7522.htm - 6k 3301. Yiphdeyah -- "Yah will ransom," an Israelite
... 3300, 3301. Yiphdeyah. 3302 . "Yah will ransom," an Israelite. Transliteration:
Yiphdeyah Phonetic Spelling: (yif-deh-yaw') Short Definition: Iphedeiah. ...
/hebrew/3301.htm - 6k
7470. reuth -- pleasure, will
... reuth. 7471 . pleasure, will. Transliteration: reuth Phonetic Spelling: (reh-ooth')
Short Definition: pleasure. Word Origin see reu. pleasure, will ...
/hebrew/7470.htm - 5k
3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 3819, 3820. leb. 3821 . inner man, mind, will, heart. Transliteration:
leb Phonetic Spelling: (labe) Short Definition: heart. Word ...
/hebrew/3820.htm - 7k
3437. Yashub -- "He will return," two Israelites
... Yashub or Yashib. 3438 . "He will return," two Israelites. Transliteration: Yashub
or Yashib Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-shoob') Short Definition: Jashub. ...
/hebrew/3437.htm - 6k
3434. Yashobam -- "people will return," one of David's heroes
... Yashobam. 3435 . "people will return," one of David's heroes. Transliteration:
Yashobam Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-shob-awm') Short Definition: Jashobeam. ...
/hebrew/3434.htm - 6k
3380. Yerubbesheth -- "shame will contend," a name of Gideon
... "shame will contend," a name of Gideon. Transliteration: Yerubbesheth Phonetic
Spelling: (yer-oob-beh'-sheth) Short Definition: Jerubbesheth. ...
/hebrew/3380.htm - 6k
3416. Yirpeel -- "God will heal," a place in Benjamin
... 3415, 3416. Yirpeel. 3417 . "God will heal," a place in Benjamin. Transliteration:
Yirpeel Phonetic Spelling: (yir-peh-ale') Short Definition: Irpeel. ...
/hebrew/3416.htm - 6k
3234. Yimna -- "He will restrain," an Asherite
... "He will restrain," an Asherite. Transliteration: Yimna Phonetic Spelling:
(yim-naw') Short Definition: Imna. ... From mana'; he will restrain; Jimna, an Israelite: ...
/hebrew/3234.htm - 6k
7466b. reu -- good pleasure, will
... 7466a, 7466b. reu. 7467 . good pleasure, will. Transliteration: reu Short
Definition: decision. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding ...
/hebrew/7466b.htm - 5k
Library
The Will of God
... HYMNS THE WILL OF GOD. "Here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him.""2
Samuel 15:26. ... tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899. Thou sweet beloved Will of God,. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/the will of god.htm
The Will.
... THE WILL. Among the different faculties which God gave to man in his creation
is one called the will. It is because you have this ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/the will.htm
Of the Will, in Regard to what it Wills (Three Articles)
... OF THE WILL, IN REGARD TO WHAT IT WILLS (THREE ARTICLES). We must now consider
the different acts of the will; and in the first place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the will in regard.htm
Whether Free-Will is a Power Distinct from the Will?
... OF FREE-WILL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether free-will is a power distinct from the will?
Objection 1: It would seem that free-will is a power distinct from the will. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether free-will is a power.htm
Whether the Will of Expression is to be Distinguished in God?
... THE WILL OF GOD (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the will of expression is to be
distinguished in God? Objection 1: It seems that the will ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the will of expression.htm
How to Understand God's Will.
... HOW TO UNDERSTAND GOD'S WILL. In order to do God's will we must first know
his will. In order to have real satisfaction, rest, and ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/how to understand gods will.htm
Grace and Free Will
... FIFTH PART GRACE AND FREE WILL. Concerning grace and free will, this is what
I teach according to the Scriptures and orthodox consent ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/grace and free will.htm
Appendix 1 the Will of God
... APPENDIX 1 THE WILL OF GOD. In treating of the Will of God some theologians
have differentiated between His decretive will and His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the sovereignty of god/appendix 1 the will of.htm
The Antichrist Will be a Jew
... The Person of the Antichrist I. The Antichrist Will Be a Jew. The Antichrist
will be a Jew, though his connections, his governmental ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/i the antichrist will be.htm
Thy Will be Done.
... THY WILL BE DONE. THY WILL BE DONE. 6,6,6,6. "It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth
him good.""1:Sam.3:18. ... Oh! may Thy will be mine! Into Thy hand of love. ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/thy will be done.htm
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