Jehovah-Sabaoth, Yahweh-Tsebaoth, The LORD of Hosts

Joining Yolanda again at Joy Comes in the Morning in our study of the Names of God from Kay Arthur's book LORD I Want To Know You. I am also studying from the book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler.

The Name Jehovah-Sabaoth is used more than 240 times in the Hebrew Scriptures and is frequently used in many of the books of the prophets, Jeremiah, Amos, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. It is used 52 times in the 14 chapters of the book of Zechariah alone. It is a Name of Great Power. The NIV translates this Name as LORD Almighty, but I have to say that after studying this I find that to be a weak substitute Name for the LORD of Hosts.

Jehovah-Sabaoth is the Ruler over every other power in the physical and spiritual realm. When we run to Jehovah-Sabaoth we run to the One who calls on all of creation, physical, celestial, and angelic, to serve His purposes as in 2 Kings when Elisha asked the LORD to open the eyes of his servant.

And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

Kay describes Jehovah-Sabaoth as the Name for man's extremity. I love that! I love this Name and what I have learned about God through this Name! Jehovah-Sabaoth is who we run to when we find ourselves utterly powerless and without any place to turn for help. He is the One who delivers and who judges His People. He does not wink at our sins, He judges and corrects us, but He doesn't walk away from us, He delivers us. Kay says this is the God who meets failure and offers deliverance. Jehovah-Sabaoth is our strong tower.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

This is the Name Hannah prayed to in 1 Samuel 1:6-11. This is the first time this Name appears in the Bible.

So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle[a] of the LORD. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” 1 Samuel 1:9-11

This is the Name under which David fought Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:42-47

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ..... Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”  1 Samuel 17:45, 47

And what a perfect time to study this Name because this is the Power that defeated death and gave us Life.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Now look at the often quoted Psalm 46:10 and we see that it is surrounded by Jehovah-Sabaoth, our stonghold.

The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD,  Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:7-11 (emphasis mine)

One more Scripture that I have to share here. This is what we do here in the blogosphere. We who fear the LORD speak to each other of Him and He is listening.

    Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
      And the LORD listened and heard them;
      So a book of remembrance was written before Him
      For those who fear the LORD
      And who meditate on His name.
      “ They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts,
      “ On the day that I make them My jewels. (Literally special treasure)
      And I will spare them
      As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Malachi 3:16-17

I know this was long but I hope it speaks to your heart as much as it speaks to mine. This is one of the best studies I have done. If you are interested in studying the Names of God you can click on the links below to order either of these books.










"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou