Isaiah 42:13
The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כַּגִּבּ֣וֹר
as a mighty man
H1368
כַּגִּבּ֣וֹר
as a mighty man
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
2 of 13
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
יֵצֵ֔א
shall go forth
H3318
יֵצֵ֔א
shall go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 13
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
כְּאִ֥ישׁ
like a man
H376
כְּאִ֥ישׁ
like a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מִלְחָמ֖וֹת
of war
H4421
מִלְחָמ֖וֹת
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
5 of 13
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
יָרִ֙יעַ֙
he shall cry
H7321
יָרִ֙יעַ֙
he shall cry
Strong's:
H7321
Word #:
8 of 13
to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)
אַף
H637
אַף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
9 of 13
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
יַצְרִ֔יחַ
yea roar
H6873
יַצְרִ֔יחַ
yea roar
Strong's:
H6873
Word #:
10 of 13
to be clear (in tone, i.e., shrill), i.e., to whoop
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Psalms 78:65Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.Amos 1:2And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.Zephaniah 3:8Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.Isaiah 26:11LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.Isaiah 31:4For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.Jeremiah 25:30Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.Nahum 1:2God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.Hosea 11:10They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.Zephaniah 1:18Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Historical Context
This military imagery anticipates God's judgment on Babylon and all who oppose His purposes. The warrior God fights for His people, avenging their oppression and vindicating His name.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's warrior nature inform your understanding of His justice?
- What does God's zeal for His people teach about His commitment to your protection?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God goes forth as a warrior ('gibbor'—mighty man) and stirs up His zeal like a man of war. The Hebrew 'qin'ah' (zeal/jealousy) indicates passionate commitment to His purposes. His war cry ('tsa'aq') and roar ('tsavach') demonstrate terrifying power against enemies. God's patience has limits; judgment comes.