Exodus 15 3

Exodus 15:3 kjv

The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

Exodus 15:3 nkjv

The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name.

Exodus 15:3 niv

The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.

Exodus 15:3 esv

The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name.

Exodus 15:3 nlt

The LORD is a warrior;
Yahweh is his name!

Exodus 15 verses

Exodus 15 3 Meaning

Exodus 15:3 declares the Lord's essential character and active nature immediately following Israel's miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea. "The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name" proclaims that God, Yahweh, is not a distant deity but an active and formidable warrior who personally intervenes in human affairs, demonstrating His power and executing His purposes through decisive actions against His enemies and for His people. This emphasizes His unique identity and sovereign authority as the true divine champion.

Exodus 15 3 Context

Exodus chapter 15 records the "Song of the Sea," a hymn of triumph and praise sung by Moses and the Israelites after their miraculous passage through the Red Sea and the destruction of the pursuing Egyptian army. The immediate verses describe the Lord's power in casting horse and rider into the sea (v.1), becoming salvation for Israel (v.2). Verse 3 is a declarative statement that anchors the events just witnessed—God's overwhelming victory over Pharaoh—to His very nature. Historically, this event solidified Israel's identity as a nation chosen by a powerful and active God who defends His people. Culturally, it stood in stark contrast to the various polytheistic gods of Egypt, none of whom could stand against the God of Israel. The song directly refutes any claim of other gods, especially those of warfare or natural elements (like the sea), as being supreme.

Exodus 15 3 Word analysis

• The Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH/Yahweh):
  • Meaning: The sacred covenant name of God, revealed to Moses (Exo 3:14-15). It signifies His self-existent, eternal, and personal nature.
  • Significance: Using YHWH here uniquely identifies the God of Israel, not a generic deity. It highlights His faithfulness to His promises. This Name embodies His unique essence and authority.
• is (implied):
  • Significance: Hebrew often implies the verb "to be." It expresses an enduring truth about YHWH's character, not a temporary state.
• a man (אִישׁ - 'ish):
  • Meaning: Man, person, strong male.
  • Significance: This is an anthropomorphism, describing God's character in human-like terms. It signifies a decisive, strong, and capable agent, not a literal physical form. It suggests direct and forceful involvement, highlighting that God is an active agent, not a passive observer. It rejects abstract or distant deity.
• of war (מִלְחָמָה - milchamah):
  • Meaning: War, battle, fight.
  • Significance: Describes the nature of the "man"—one engaged in conflict. It denotes a purposeful, powerful engagement to achieve victory. It presents God as a strategic and effective combatant against His adversaries, not just a deity with strength but one who wages war.
• the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH/Yahweh):
  • Significance: A repetition of God's covenant name. It acts as a powerful refrain and confirmation. It reinforces the identity of this specific God as the One possessing this warrior character.
• is his name (שְׁמוֹ - sh'mo):
  • Meaning: "is his name" (šēm, "name" + -ō, "his").
  • Significance: In ancient Near Eastern thought, a "name" represents one's essence, character, reputation, and authority. Stating "YHWH is His name" is a profound theological declaration. It means "YHWH" fully embodies and encompasses the warrior character. It underscores His unique and sovereign identity. It distinguishes Him from all other supposed gods. It emphasizes that His actions as a warrior flow from who He fundamentally is.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• יְהוָה אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה (YHWH 'ish milchamah - The Lord is a man of war): This phrase describes YHWH's character through a powerful and direct metaphor. It immediately attributes the astounding victory at the Red Sea to His inherent nature as a divine warrior. It signifies His active involvement in history, particularly His role as the champion for His people, intervening forcefully and decisively against those who oppose Him. It counters the power of human armies or pagan deities by presenting the Lord as the ultimate force.
• יְהוָה שְׁמוֹ (YHWH sh'mo - The Lord is His name): This powerful conclusion acts as a definitive statement of identity and essence. It affirms that the attributes just declared—being a "man of war"—are not temporary roles but are inextricably linked to His eternal, revealed name, YHWH. It is a unique affirmation of His distinct sovereignty and unchallengeable authority over all creation and all other claims to divinity. His name is the very embodiment of His nature, especially in His role as a warrior on behalf of His covenant people.

Exodus 15 3 Bonus section

The concept of God as a "man of war" (or Divine Warrior) is a key theological motif found throughout the Old Testament. It underscores God's personal agency and direct involvement in history, countering any perception of a distant or inactive deity. This imagery helps Israel understand that their security and deliverance came from divine power, not their own strength. This theme resonates even into the New Testament, where Christ is depicted as ultimately triumphant over spiritual foes (Col 2:15) and returning to judge and wage war righteously (Rev 19:11). The Exodus account's strong polemic against polytheism set Israel apart, declaring their God as the one true, incomparably powerful, and active deity, demanding exclusive loyalty.

Exodus 15 3 Commentary

Exodus 15:3 is a foundational declaration of God's character as a "man of war." This does not suggest an arbitrary or chaotic God, but one who is actively engaged in confronting evil, executing judgment, and delivering His people. The destruction of Pharaoh's army, representing the greatest human military might of the age, vividly demonstrated that Yahweh alone possesses ultimate power in battle. The repeated emphasis on "YHWH is his name" underlines the uniqueness and eternality of this attribute. Unlike the fickle and often impotent gods of other nations, Yahweh's identity as a warrior is integral to who He is – He is the supreme, effective, and covenant-keeping God who fights for His people and for His righteousness. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding divine judgment, the security of God's people, and ultimately points forward to Christ as the triumphant Warrior King who conquers sin, death, and evil.