What was Moses told to reply when the children of Israel asked what was the name of God?

The answer "I Am" refers to a significant moment in the book of Exodus, where God reveals Himself to Moses at the burning bush. In Exodus 3:13-14, Moses asks God what he should say to the Israelites when they inquire about God's name. God responds by saying, "I AM WHO I AM." This phrase signifies God's eternal and self-existent nature, indicating that He is the ultimate source of being and reality.

The name "I AM" expresses a profound theological truth about God’s identity, emphasizing His unchanging essence and His presence in all situations, which serves as a foundational understanding of who God is. This response reassures the Israelites of God's sufficiency and authority in leading them out of Egypt.

Other choices represent names or titles used for God in various contexts. "Yahweh" is a personal name for God that is commonly used in the Hebrew Bible, especially in covenantal contexts, while "Adonai" translates to “Lord” and emphasizes God’s lordship. "The God of Abraham" describes God in relationship to the patriarchs but does not capture the self-revelatory significance that "I Am" does in this context. Each of those names carries meaning, but they do not