The LORD goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse isn't just describing God's might, but His deep, personal zeal – using the word for "jealousy" or "passion." This divine "battle fever" isn't about petty envy, but a fierce, protective love that stirs Him to action for His people's sake. It highlights that God’s power isn't detached or distant, but deeply invested and emotionally charged when His people are threatened.
The LORD goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this passage, God is depicted as a mighty warrior preparing for battle. This imagery is used to convey His determination to overcome His enemies and deliver His people. The verse sets the stage for God's powerful intervention in history, moving from a period of patient waiting to decisive action, driven by His righteous zeal.
Ever feel like God is distant when things are tough? This verse paints a picture of God actively engaging in battle for His people.
Isaiah 42:13 opens with a powerful image: "The LORD goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal." This isn't about God being like a warrior; it's God acting as one.
A Divine Campaign
What drives God's actions? This verse points to His passionate zeal, a powerful force for His people.
The phrase "stirs up his zeal" is crucial here. "Zeal" (or sometimes translated as "jealousy" in older versions) refers to God's passionate fervor and his fierce protection of His own.
Divine Ardor
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Understand the original words
gibbor · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew word denotes a warrior or a champion, often used of God to emphasize His strength, victory, and active intervention on behalf of His people against their enemies.
qin'ah · Hebrew Noun
In the Bible, zeal describes a passionate, intense, and holy devotion to God’s honor or purpose, often manifesting as divine protective anger against anything that opposes His will or His people.
oyeb · Hebrew Noun
A person or power that opposes God or His people, representing the forces of evil, idolatry, or worldly rebellion that the Lord ultimately defeats.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation of Jewish Exiles
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Jewish people, including Jehoiakim and many of the elite, to Babylon. This marks the start of the Babylonian exile.
598 BC
Second Deportation of Jewish Exiles
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports another group of Jewish exiles, including King Jehoiachin and many more craftsmen and leaders, to Babylon.
587 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar’s armies conquer Jerusalem, destroy the city and the Temple, and deport the remaining population to Babylon, completing the devastation prophesied.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, begins his conquests, eventually leading to the fall of Babylon.
c. 540 BC— this verse
Prophecy of Divine Intervention
Isaiah 42:13 is delivered, depicting God as a mighty warrior who will rouse His zeal and prevail against His enemies. This is a message of hope to the exiled people, assuring them of God's active intervention on their behalf.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, fulfilling prophecies and paving the way for the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
This passage describes God as a warrior, 'The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name,' which directly parallels Isaiah's depiction of the LORD going forth like a mighty man of war.
Psalm 24:8Similar to Isaiah 42:13, this Psalm identifies Yahweh as 'mighty in battle,' emphasizing His strength and power in conflict against His enemies.
Isaiah 59:16-17This passage echoes the theme of God's active intervention and might against His enemies, stating, 'He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; so his own arm brought him salvation, and his own righteousness sustained him; he put on righteousness as a breastplate.'
Zechariah 14:3This prophetic vision describes the LORD going out to fight against the nations, directly correlating with the imagery in Isaiah 42:13 of God actively engaging and prevailing against His foes.
Revelation 19:11-16This New Testament passage describes Christ returning as a victorious warrior, 'dressed in a robe dipped in blood,' who strikes down the nations with the sword of His mouth, a fulfillment of the divine warrior imagery found in Isaiah 42:13.
bensonIsaiah 42:13: "The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies."
Isaiah 42:13-15 . The Lord shall go forth — Namely, to battle against his enemies. He shall stir up jealousy — His fierce indignation against the obstinate enemies of his Son and gospel. He shall cry, yea, roar — As a lion doth upon his prey, and as soldiers do when they begin the battle. I have long time held my peace — I have been…
cambridgeIsaiah 42:13: "The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies."
13 . The reason for the universal exultation; Jehovah takes the field against His enemies. The gracious side of His intervention is reserved for Isaiah 42:16 . The Lord shall go forth ] The technical expression for the initiation of a campaign ( 2 Samuel 11:1 ; Amos 5:3 &c.) as a mighty man (or, hero ) … a man of war ] Similar repre…
The verse isn't just describing God's might, but His deep, personal zeal – using the word for "jealousy" or "passion." This divine "battle fever" isn't about petty envy, but a fierce, protective love that stirs Him to action for His people's sake. It highlights that God’s power isn't detached or distant, but deeply invested and emotionally charged when His people are threatened.
In this passage, God is depicted as a mighty warrior preparing for battle. This imagery is used to convey His determination to overcome His enemies and deliver His people. The verse sets the stage for God's powerful intervention in history, moving from a period of patient waiting to decisive action, driven by His righteous zeal.
In this passage, God is depicted as a mighty warrior preparing for battle. This imagery is used to convey His determination to overcome His enemies and deliver His people. The verse sets the stage for God's powerful intervention in history, moving from a period of patient waiting to decisive action, driven by His righteous zeal.
"The LORD goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes." — The verse isn't just describing God's might, but His deep, personal zeal – using the word for "jealousy" or "passion." This divine "battle fever" isn't about petty envy, but a fierce, protective lo…
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Last reviewed October 2026