Exodus 15:3

KJV

The LORD [is] a man of war: the LORD [is] his name.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} is a man {H376} of war {H4421}: the LORD {H3068} is his name {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI is a warrior; ADONAI is his name.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name.

American Standard Version

Jehovah is a man of war: Jehovah is his name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 15:3 is a triumphant declaration from the "Song of the Sea," sung by the Israelites immediately following their miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army. This verse powerfully proclaims Yahweh's nature as an unparalleled divine warrior who actively intervenes on behalf of His people, asserting His sovereign power and unwavering commitment to their salvation. It encapsulates the awe and profound recognition of God's unique identity and irresistible might demonstrated in this pivotal moment of redemptive history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 15:3 is embedded within the "Song of Moses and Miriam" (Exodus 15:1-18), a spontaneous and communal hymn of praise offered to Yahweh after the climactic crossing of the Red Sea. The preceding verses (15:1-2) establish the song's purpose as an exaltation of God, who has become Israel's salvation and strength. Following this declaration, verse 3 specifically focuses on Yahweh's identity as a "man of war," providing the theological underpinning for the subsequent descriptions of His mighty acts against Pharaoh's army (15:4-10). The song then transitions to celebrate God's incomparable holiness and power among the gods (15:11), His leading of His people to His holy habitation (15:13), and His ultimate reign forever and ever (15:18), all rooted in the initial portrayal of Him as the victorious divine warrior.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had endured centuries of brutal slavery in Egypt, culminating in the ten plagues and the dramatic Exodus. The Red Sea crossing was the definitive act of liberation, solidifying their identity as a free people under God's direct protection. In the ancient Near East, it was common for nations to attribute military victories to their patron deities, often depicting them as powerful warriors. However, Israel's declaration of "The LORD is a man of war" was distinct. Unlike the capricious and often defeated gods of their neighbors, Yahweh was presented as the supreme, singular, and irresistible divine warrior who fought for His covenant people, not for personal gain, but for justice and deliverance. This historical context of recent, overwhelming oppression and miraculous rescue made the declaration of God's martial character incredibly potent and relevant to the newly liberated nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Man of war (Hebrew, _ish milchamah'_):** The Hebrew phrase אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה ( _ish milchamah_ ) literally translates to "man of battle" or "man of warfare." This is a striking anthropomorphism, attributing human characteristics—specifically, the role of a warrior—to God. It is not meant to suggest God has a physical body, but rather to convey His active, decisive, and powerful engagement in conflict on behalf of His people. It emphasizes His direct intervention, His strategic prowess, and His irresistible might in overcoming enemies, portraying Him as the ultimate commander and victor in battle. This imagery would have been profoundly reassuring to a people recently delivered from a formidable military power.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** The word "LORD" in the King James Version consistently represents the Hebrew tetragrammaton יהוה (YHWH), God's personal, covenantal name, often pronounced Yahweh. This name, revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14-15), signifies God's self-existence ("I AM WHO I AM"), His eternal nature, and His faithfulness to His promises. The repetition of "The LORD" in this verse, first as the subject of the declaration and then as His very name, underscores the direct link between His identity as the covenant God of Israel and His character as the divine warrior. It asserts that His power and willingness to fight for His people are intrinsic to His very being and part of His unchanging covenant relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD [is] a man of war":** This opening clause is a bold and unequivocal declaration of God's character. It portrays Yahweh not as a passive observer or a distant deity, but as an active, engaged, and supremely powerful warrior. The imagery of a "man of war" conveys His strength, His strategic mind, His leadership in battle, and His absolute determination to achieve victory for His people. In the context of the Red Sea, it is a direct attribution of the miraculous destruction of the Egyptian army to God's own martial prowess, asserting that He personally fought for Israel. This statement establishes God's sovereignty over all earthly powers and His willingness to use His might to deliver His chosen.
* **"the LORD [is] his name":** This second clause reinforces and grounds the preceding declaration in God's very identity. By stating that "the LORD" (Yahweh) is His name, the verse emphasizes that His nature as a divine warrior is not a temporary role or a mere attribute, but an intrinsic aspect of who He is as the covenant God. It links His active intervention and military might directly to His eternal, self-existent, and faithful character. This repetition serves to underscore the certainty and permanence of God's commitment to fighting for His people, assuring them that the God who delivered them from Egypt is eternally the same, mighty and faithful.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 15:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, where human attributes are ascribed to God. Describing the LORD as a "man of war" (אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה, _ish milchamah_) vividly portrays His active and powerful engagement in battle, making His actions relatable and understandable to human experience, without implying a physical form. This device emphasizes His direct intervention and irresistible might. Secondly, the verse utilizes **Repetition** and **Emphasis** through the repeated use of "the LORD" (Yahweh). By stating "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name," the text powerfully links God's identity as the covenant God of Israel directly to His role as the divine warrior. This repetition not only reinforces the truth but also serves as a strong declaration, imprinting the message of God's unique and powerful character upon the hearts of the hearers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 15:3 establishes a foundational theological truth: God is not merely a creator or a distant ruler, but an active, intervening, and sovereign Lord who fights on behalf of His people. This concept of the "Divine Warrior" is a pervasive theme throughout Scripture, illustrating God's commitment to justice, His power over all opposing forces, and His role as the ultimate deliverer. It reveals that God's "warfare" is fundamentally redemptive, aimed at liberating the oppressed and establishing His righteous kingdom. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that no human power or natural force can stand against His will. His name, Yahweh, guarantees His unwavering faithfulness and His active presence in the lives of those He has chosen and redeemed, assuring them of His ultimate victory over all enemies, both physical and spiritual.

* [Deuteronomy 3:22](/deuteronomy/3-22 "The LORD your God will fight for you")
* [Psalm 24:8](/psalm/24-8 "Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.")
* [Isaiah 42:13](/isaiah/42-13 "The LORD will march out like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Exodus 15:3 offers profound comfort, courage, and a call to worship. In a world fraught with spiritual battles, personal struggles, and systemic injustices, this verse reminds us that our God is not weak, passive, or indifferent. He is the "man of war," actively engaged in defending His people and executing His perfect will. When we face overwhelming odds, fear, or opposition, we can find strength in knowing that the LORD fights for us. This truth invites us to surrender our anxieties, trust in His sovereign power, and rest in His unwavering faithfulness, knowing that His name, Yahweh, guarantees His active presence and ultimate victory in every circumstance. It calls us to worship Him as the mighty deliverer who triumphs over all opposition, and to align ourselves with His righteous cause, confident that He will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God as a "man of war" challenge or deepen your understanding of His character?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to trust that "the LORD fights for you" today?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that "the LORD is His name" in the context of His power and faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Does "man of war" imply God is violent or encourages human warfare?**

Answer: The phrase "man of war" (אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה) is an anthropomorphic expression used to describe God's active, decisive, and irresistible power in overcoming obstacles and enemies, particularly those who oppress His people or defy His righteous will. It does not imply that God is inherently violent in a human sense, nor does it necessarily endorse all human warfare. Instead, it highlights His unique capacity to execute justice, deliver the oppressed, and establish His sovereignty through powerful intervention. In the context of the Exodus, God's "warfare" was a redemptive act of liberation for Israel and a judgment against the oppressive Egyptian empire. It signifies His divine authority and might, not a call for indiscriminate human violence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The declaration of "The LORD is a man of war" in Exodus 15:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament portrays Yahweh as the divine warrior who defeats physical enemies, Christ is revealed as the ultimate Warrior who conquers the spiritual enemies of sin, death, and the devil. His crucifixion was not a defeat, but the decisive battle where He disarmed the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ disarmed the powers and authorities")). His resurrection is the ultimate victory cry, demonstrating His triumph over death itself ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "Death swallowed up in victory")). Furthermore, Revelation depicts Christ returning as a conquering King, a "Faithful and True" warrior who judges righteously and makes war against evil ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, the "man of war" imagery of Exodus 15:3 points forward to Jesus, the Lord who fights for His people, not with chariots and horsemen, but with the power of His atoning sacrifice and the sword of His word, securing eternal deliverance and establishing His everlasting kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 24:8

Who [is] this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Exodus 14:14

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Revelation 19:11

¶ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Revelation 19:21

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Isaiah 42:8

I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Exodus 6:6

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I [am] the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

Exodus 6:8

And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I [am] the LORD.