Exodus 15:3
The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Exodus 15:3
The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "a man of war" isn't meant literally; it's a bold, almost startling way of saying God is the ultimate warrior, perfectly skilled and powerful in battle. This description emphasizes that the victory at the Red Sea wasn't just a miracle, but a deliberate act of divine might, proving that God alone is sovereign and capable of utterly defeating His enemies.
This verse bursts forth from the immediate aftermath of God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from the pursuing Egyptian army at the Red Sea. It's part of Moses' Song of Triumph, a powerful declaration of praise and remembrance for God's mighty act of saving His people. The song continues by recounting God's power in destroying Pharaoh's chariots and soldiers, emphasizing that this victory was entirely God's doing, not human effort.
Understand the original words
ish milchamah · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A metaphorical depiction of God as a divine warrior who fights on behalf of His people, exercising His justice and power against those who oppose His will.
This declaration comes immediately after God's miraculous defeat of the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. It emphasizes that God, whose very name 'Yahweh' signifies His active, powerful presence, is the ultimate warrior who fights for His people.
c. 1500 BC
Israelites Enslaved in Egypt
Descendants of Jacob lived in Egypt, growing into a large nation. They were eventually forced into harsh labor and servitude by the Egyptian rulers.
c. 1440 BC— this verse
The Exodus from Egypt
Led by Moses, the Israelites were miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage after God sent ten plagues upon the land and destroyed Pharaoh's pursuing army.
c. 1440 BC
Crossing the Red Sea
God parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. When the Egyptians pursued, God restored the waters, drowning Pharaoh's army.
c. 1440 BC
Song of the Sea
Immediately following their deliverance at the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sang a song of praise and victory to God, celebrating His power and faithfulness.
This passage directly echoes the imagery of God as a warrior, stating 'The LORD goes out like a mighty warrior, he wakes up his zeal like a man of war; he cries out, he shouts aloud; he shows himself mightier than his enemies.'
Psalm 24:8This psalm exalts God's power in battle, asking 'Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!' This reinforces the idea of God as a powerful combatant who secures victory.
1 Samuel 17:45When David faces Goliath, he identifies the Lord not as 'a man of war' but as the God of the armies of Israel, showing that even in human conflict, the ultimate power and authority belongs to the Lord, who fights for His people.
Revelation 19:11This New Testament passage portrays Jesus Christ returning as a victorious warrior, 'clothed in a white robe, and on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sword.' It fulfills the warrior aspect of God's character by showing Christ's ultimate triumph over evil.
gillExodus 15:3: "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name."
The Lord is a man of war,.... A "man", which has respect to the future incarnation of Christ, for as yet he was not really man; though it was purposed, covenanted, agreed to, and prophesied of, that he should, as he after was; not a mere man, as appears by the following clause: "a man of war"; or a warrior; being engaged in war, and inured to it; having to do with very powerful enemies, Satan and his principalities and powers, the w…
cambridgeExodus 15:3: "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name."
3 . a man of war ] one who understands how to fight, and to vanquish his foes. The same figure, of Jehovah, Isaiah 42:13 (‘a man of wars’), Psalm 24:8 (‘the mighty man [ gibbôr ] of battle [ or of war]’); cf. also ch. Exodus 14:14 . Yahweh is his name ] an exultant ejaculation: ‘Yahweh’ is to the poet the great and powerful God, who helps, defends, and delivers His people. Cf. Amos 5:8 ; Amos 9:6 ; and ‘Yahweh of hosts is his name,’…
The phrase "a man of war" isn't meant literally; it's a bold, almost startling way of saying God is the ultimate warrior, perfectly skilled and powerful in battle. This description emphasizes that the victory at the Red Sea wasn't just a miracle, but a deliberate act of divine might, proving that God alone is sovereign and capable of utterly defeating His enemies.
This verse bursts forth from the immediate aftermath of God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from the pursuing Egyptian army at the Red Sea. It's part of Moses' Song of Triumph, a powerful declaration of praise and remembrance for God's mighty act of saving His people. The song continues by recounting God's power in destroying Pharaoh's chariots and soldiers, emphasizing that this victory was entirely God's doing, not human effort.
This verse bursts forth from the immediate aftermath of God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from the pursuing Egyptian army at the Red Sea. It's part of Moses' Song of Triumph, a powerful declaration of praise and remembrance for God's mighty act of saving His people. The song continues by recounting God's power in destroying Pharaoh's chariots and soldiers, emphasizing that this victory was entirely God's doing, not human effort.
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"The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name." — The phrase "a man of war" isn't meant literally; it's a bold, almost startling way of saying God is the ultimate warrior, perfectly skilled and powerful in battle. This description emphasizes that th…