Tzevaot

Tzevaot, Hebrew צְבָאוֹת, literally means “armies” or “hosts.” In Jewish and Christian traditions, it is most commonly encountered as a divine epithet, usually in the form Adonai Tzevaot, translated as “the Lord of Hosts.” The title conveys God’s sovereignty over heavenly and earthly powers and his command of the divine and human hosts—angels, armies, and all creation.

Etymology: The word derives from the root צ-ב-א (ts-b-ʾ), related to assembling or fighting. The plural construct tzeva’ot means “armies,” producing the compound title Adonai Tzevaot when applied to God.

Biblical usage: The epithet appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, especially in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, and Psalms. It emphasizes divine kingship, protection, and judgment in military and cosmic contexts. The “hosts” may be interpreted as angels, the heavenly realm, or the army of Israel under God’s command.

Liturgy and later tradition: In Jewish prayer and scriptural readings, the phrase is used as a standard title for God. In Christian translations, such as the King James Version, the term is rendered “the Lord of hosts” and is invoked in hymns, liturgy, and theological writings to express God’s ultimate authority over all powers.

See also: Adonai, Heavenly hosts, Angels, Lord of Hosts.