Psalm 46/Notes/Lexical.v. 8.305414

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The word צבא signifies an army or host. As such, it can represent (a) a military group organized for war[1]; (b) a body of celestial beings (i.e., the host of heaven)[2]; (c) luminaries collectively[3]; and (d) all of creation.[4] As part of the divine name, צבא serves as "an epithet of God with focus on his being in charge of the host of heavenly beings surrounding his throne, praising him, and carrying out his will in earth." Additionally, as an epithet, "it relates to God's power and control of the cosmos as the divine king and warrior” (SDBH).[5] As such, this martial title fits the context of Psalm 46 well, i.e., YHWH, [the God of] Hosts, fights for his people, protecting them against the foreign nations and kingdoms.

  1. ↑ Jdg 8:6; 9:29; Isa 34:2; Jer 51:3; 2 Chr 28:9, etc.
  2. ↑ 1 Kgs 22:19; 2 Chr 18:18; Neh 9:6; Ps 103:21; 148:2.
  3. ↑ Deut 4:19; 17:3; 2 Kgs 17:16; 21:3, 5.
  4. ↑ E.g., Gen 2:1.
  5. ↑ As part of divine name, צבא can appear a.) with the article (Am 3:13; 6:14; 9:5; Hos 12:6); b.) without the article (1 Sam 5:10; Am 5:14,15,16; 6:8; 1 Kgs 19:10, 14; Jer 5:14; 15:16; Ps 89:9, etc.); and c.) as proper name Sebaoth (cf. Σαβαωθ; James 5:4; Rom 9:29; 1 Sam 1:3, 11; 4:4; 15:2; 17:45; etc.). On “YHWH of Hosts,” see further Miller 1973: 145–55.