Yahweh Sabaoth
The Hebrew for "hosts" (sabaoth) can refer to:
- human armies (Exo 7:4; Psa 44:9),
- the celestial bodies such as the sun,
moon, and stars (Gen 2:1; Deu 4:19; Isa 40:26), or
- the angels (Jos 5:14; 1Ki
22:19; Psa 148:2).
The title, "Lord of hosts", or "Lord Almighty", "Yahweh
sabaoth", is perhaps best understood as a general ref to the sovereignty of God
over all powers in the universe. In the account of establishment of kingship in
Israel it became particularly appropriate as a ref to God as the God of armies
-- both of the heavenly army (Deu 33:2; Jos 5:14; Psa 68:17; Hab 3:8) and of the
army of Israel (1Sa 17:45).
In the NT, "Almighty" translates "pantokrator" (the ruler of
all things) in 2Co 6:18; Rev 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7,14; 19:6,15;
21:22.
