Lord of Hosts The title Jehovah is often found embodied in the expression 'the Lord of Hosts' and 'the Lord of Sabaoth,' the former of which is a translation of the latter. [The French translation (Ostervald) has l' Eternel des armecs, hence, no doubt, is derived the questionable title 'the God of battles' Luther has Herr Zebaoth . Where we read of 'the God of Forces,' in Daniel 11:38, a different word is used, which literally means strength . Dr. Sayce compares the Assyrian title Bil Kissati, 'lord of legions.'] this title first appears in 1 Samuel 1:3 . The LXX sometimes retains Σαβαώθ (compare Romans 9:29, James 5:4), and sometimes renders it ὁ Κύριος τω ̂ ν δυνάμεων, and sometimes παντοκράτωρ, Almighty. Occasionally the name Elohim is substituted for Jehovah in this connection, as in Psalms 80:7, Psalms 80:14, Psalms 80:19, Amos 5:27 .
In Exodus 12:41, the Israelites are called 'the Hosts of the Lord,' and hence it has been supposed that the title above mentioned signifies the captain or defender of the hosts of Israel. Others regard the expression as referring to God's governments of the 'host of heaven,' i.e. the stars; whilst others connect it with the fact that God is attended by hosts of angels who are ever ready to do his pleasure.
This title is often used in the m in or prophets, and with especial reference to God's majesty, sometimes also with reference to his care for Israel, as, for example, in 2 Samuel 7:26 ;46:7; 48:8; Zechariah 2:9 . Probably the name would indicate to a Jew that God was a Being who had many material and spiritual agencies at his command, and that the universe of matter and the world of mind were not only created, but also ordered and marshalled, [The collocation, as distinct from the creation, of the heavenly bodies, is dwelt up on with great forge by Dr. Chalmers in his Bridgewater Treatise.] by Him; who 'telleth the number of the stars, and calleth them all by their names' (Psalms 147:4, compare Isaiah 40:26).