What I mean by "Jesus is Jehovah" is that Jesus Christ of the New Testament is Jehovah of the Old Testament, come in the flesh. As Jehovah promised/warned in the Old Testament that He would come to Israel/Jerusalem in Person (Isa 40:3; Zep 3:14-15; Zec 2:10-11; 9:9; Mal 3:1).
What I don't mean by "Jesus is Jehovah" is that the Son is the Father. That Jesus is Jehovah does not preclude the other two Persons of the Holy Trinity (Mt 28:19; 2Cor 13:14; 1Pet 1:2): the Father and the Holy Spirit (Ps 139:7; Isa 40:13 = Rom 11:34 & 1Cor 2:16; Mk 3:28-29; Acts 5:3-4; 13:2; 28:25-27; 2Cor 3:17; Heb 3:7-11 = Ps 95:7-11; Heb 10:15-17 = Jer 31:33), also being Jehovah: the one Triune God.
Plurality in God/Jehovah in the Old Testament There are indications of plurality within God/Jehovah in the Old Testament:
- Elohim [God] is plural The usual Hebrew word for "God" [elohim] is plural. Personal pronouns "us" and "our" are used by God/Jehovah of Himself (Gn 1:26; 3:22, 11:7; Isa 6:8).
- "One" [Heb. 'echad] can mean a compound unityThe Hebrew word for "one" ['echad] in "Jehovah our God is one" (Dt 6:4) can mean a compound unity. The same Heb. word 'echad is used of the "one flesh" of husband and wife; "one people" comprising many individuals; "one voice" of "all the people"; "one cluster of grapes"; and "one stick" joined to "another stick" making a compound "one stick" (Gn 2:24; 11:6; 34:16,22; Ex 24:3; Num 13:23; Eze 37:16-17).
- More than one "Jehovah" In the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham addressed his three visitors collectively as "Jehovah" (Gn 18:1-5,9); and later Jehovah on earth made it rain sulphur and fire from Jehovah in heaven (Gn 19:24). "Jehovah" sends "Jehovah" (Zec 2:8-11; Isa 48:12,16). And in Zec 3:2"Jehovah" says to Satan, "Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan."
- Spirit of Jehovah/God & Word of Jehovah/God The "Spirit of Jehovah/God" is Jehovah (Job 33:4; Ps 139:7; Isa 40:13), yet is distinct from Jehovah (Ex 31:1-3; Ps 104:30; Isa 11:2; 42:1; 48:16; 63:10). Both the Spirit of Jehovah/God (Gn 1:2; Job 33:4; Ps 104:30), and the Word of Jehovah/God (Gn 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26; Ps 33:6-9; Jn 1:1-3; Heb 11:3, 2Pet 3:5) were active in Creation.
- Angel of Jehovah The angel of Jehovah/God speaks and acts as Jehovah/God (Gn 16:10; 22:11-12, 15-18; 31:11-13; 28:13; Ex 3:1-6); has Jehovah's name in him (Ex 23:20-23) and is called "Jehovah" or "God" (Gn 16:10-13; 32:24-30; Jdg 13:2-3,22; Zec 3:1-2).
2. JESUS CLAIMED TO BE JEHOVAH
I AM Jesus claimed to be "I AM" (Jn 8:24,28,58; 13:19; 18:5-6). The "I am he" in the original Greek of those verses is ego eimi - "I am" - with no "he". In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint or LXX)ego eimi - "I AM" - is the self-designation of Jehovah (Ex 3:14-15; Dt 32:39; Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 46:4; 52:6). In particular, Jesus claimed to be Jehovah in His statements that, "Before Abraham was born, I am [ego eimi]" (Jn 8:58 ESV), and "unless you believe that I am [ego eimi - no "he"] ... you will die in your sins" (Jn 8:24 ESV). Likewise, Jesus also claimed to be Jehovah when He walked on the stormy sea and told the disciples in their sinking boat to, "Take heart; it is I" (ego eimi - "I AM") (Mt 14:23-27; Mk 6:47-50; Jn 6:16-20 ESV).
I AM Jesus claimed to be "I AM" (Jn 8:24,28,58; 13:19; 18:5-6). The "I am he" in the original Greek of those verses is ego eimi - "I am" - with no "he". In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint or LXX)ego eimi - "I AM" - is the self-designation of Jehovah (Ex 3:14-15; Dt 32:39; Isa. 41:4; 43:10; 46:4; 52:6). In particular, Jesus claimed to be Jehovah in His statements that, "Before Abraham was born, I am [ego eimi]" (Jn 8:58 ESV), and "unless you believe that I am [ego eimi - no "he"] ... you will die in your sins" (Jn 8:24 ESV). Likewise, Jesus also claimed to be Jehovah when He walked on the stormy sea and told the disciples in their sinking boat to, "Take heart; it is I" (ego eimi - "I AM") (Mt 14:23-27; Mk 6:47-50; Jn 6:16-20 ESV).
Shepherd Jesus claimed to be "the Good Shepherd" (Jn 10:11,14). Jesus is the "Great Shepherd of the sheep," "the Shepherd," "the Chief Shepherd" (Heb 13:20; 1Pet 2:25; 5:4; Rev 7:17). But Jehovah is the Shepherd of His sheep (Ps 23:1; Isa 40:10-11; Eze 34:15).
First and Last Jesus claimed to be "the first and the last" (Rev 1:17-18; 2:8; 22:13,16). But Jehovah is the first and the last (Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12,17). And there cannot be two "the first and thelasts! Jesus also claimed to be "the Alpha and the Omega" (Rev 21:6; 22:13). But "the Lord God ... the Almighty" is "the Alpha andthe Omega" (Rev 1:8).