σαβαώθ (sabaōth)
sabaōth
hosts
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The indeclinable noun sabaōth translates the Hebrew name for God as "Lord of Hosts." It refers to the armies of Israel or the angelic forces under Jehovah’s command. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, in Romans 9:29 and James 5:4, both quoting the Septuagint version of Isaiah.
This title emphasizes God’s supreme authority over all spiritual and earthly powers. By using this specific term, the biblical authors connect the early Christian message to the ancient prophetic tradition. It reminds readers that the God who led nations is the same sovereign ruler active in their lives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The title Sabaōth reminds us that God is not distant or powerless. It means "Lord of Hosts," showing He commands both earthly armies and heavenly angels. This ancient name connects the early church to the prophets, assuring believers that the same sovereign ruler who guided nations is actively present in their lives today.
In Romans 9:29, this title highlights God’s mercy. Even when judgment seems near, He preserves a remnant of hope. This shows His power is always matched by His grace, offering comfort to those feeling overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control.
James 5:4 uses the phrase to emphasize divine justice. The cries of exploited workers reach His ears directly. This assures us that God sees injustice and will act with fairness. It invites trust in a God who cares deeply about how people are treated on earth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Hosts2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σαβαὼθ2×
Key Verses
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Romans 9:29
As Isaiah has said before, “Unless the Lord of Armies had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and would have been made like Gomorrah.”
Paul uses this title to show that God’s sovereign mercy preserves a remnant even when judgment appears inevitable.
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James 5:4
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies.
James invokes the Lord of Hosts to affirm that God hears the cries of exploited laborers and will judge with justice.