Exodus 15:3

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 15:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jehovah is a man of war: Jehovah is his name.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jehovah is a man of war: Jehovah is his name.
Exodus 15:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Jehovah is a man of war: Jehovah is his name.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The Lord is a man of war, etc.] A “man”, which has respect to the future incarnation of Christ, for as yet he was not really man; though it was purposed, covenanted, agreed to, and prophesied of, that he should, as he after was; not a mere man, as appears by the following clause: “a man of war”; or a warrior; being engaged in war, and inured to it; having to do with very powerful enemies, Satan and his principalities and powers, the world, and the great men of it, antichrist, and all the antichristian states. A warrior well versed in all the arts of war, and abundantly qualified for it, having consummate wisdom, strength, and courage, and thoroughly furnished and accoutred for it; having on…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“With the deliverance of Israel is associated the development of the national poetry, which finds its first and perfect expression in this magnificent hymn. It was sung by Moses and the people, an expression which evidently points to him as the author. That it was written at the time is an assertion expressly made in the text, and it is supported by the strongest internal evidence. In every age this song gave the tone to the poetry of Israel; especially at great critical epochs of deliverance: and in the book of Revelation Exodus 15:3 it is associated with the final triumph of the Church. The division of the song into three parts is distinctly marked: Exodus 15:1-5; Exodus 15:6-10; Exodus…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The Lord is a man of war - Able to deal with all those that strive with their maker. Exodus 15:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:3 The Lord is a warrior: He will aggressively defend his own. He is not an oppressor, nor does he fight for the love of violence. But when his people are helpless before the enemy, whether external or internal, they can know that Yahweh, “He Who Is,” is their defender (Isa 59:15-19; 63:1-6; Rev 11:17-18). Regarding the name Yahweh, see study note on Exod 3:15.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a man: Psa 24:8, Psa 45:3; Rev 19:11-21 name: Exo 3:13, Exo 3:15, Exo 6:3, Exo 6:6; Psa 83:18; Isa 42:8 Exodus 15:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification