The Divine Name Yahweh Sabaoth (“Lord of Hosts”) in the Biblical Literature – Problematizations and Divergences

This study analyses the interpretations and debates in the literature on the divine name Yahweh Sabaoth (“Lord of Hosts”) in the Hebrew Bible. The author presents three main methodological approaches scholars use to understand the meaning and origin of this name: semantic analysis, syntactic analysis, and historical/contextual analysis. The semantic analysis focuses on the possible meanings of the term sabaoth, leading to various interpretations such as “Lord of the armies of Israel,” “Lord of the angelic armies,” or “Lord of all creation.” The syntactic analysis examines the grammatical relationship between Yahweh and Sabaoth, proposing understandings such as “Yahweh the (all)mighty” or “He who creates the hosts.” The historical/contextual approach considers the historical and cultural circumstances of using the name, suggesting connections to the Canaanite tradition or the Temple in Jerusalem. The study highlights the complexity and diversity of interpretations, emphasizing two main perspectives: the Yahweh Sabaoth as the warrior God of Israel and as the Almighty God, the “heavenly King” who rules history. These investigations reflect efforts to understand divine revelation in the context of the Old Testament and its reception by the Israelite people.