What does the word…
host mean in the Bible

The word “host” has various meanings in context of Scriptures. The word host or hosts appears 226 times in the King James Version translation.

  1. “Host” of soldiers

    This is a large number of war troops, a military force.

    King Saul was the first to form a standing army to defend the land of Israel (1 Sam. 13:2; 24:2).

    This example was followed by David (1 Chr. 27:1), and Solomon (1 Kings 4:26), and by the kings of Israel and Judah (2 Chr. 17:14; 26:11; 2 Kings 11:4, etc.).

    This consisted at first only of infantry. King Solomon later added cavalry (1 Kings 4:26; 10:26).

    Every male Israelite from 20-50 years of age was bound by the law to bear arms when necessary (Num. 1:3; 26:2; 2 Chr. 25:5).

  2. “The LORD of hosts”

    also known as: “the host of Yahweh”

    This phrase occurs many times in Scripture.

    The hosts referred to are Heaven’s many angels of Yahweh God.

    Example:

    He said, “No! Rather I indeed come now as commander of the host of Yahweh.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and bowed down and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his slave?” —Joshua 5:14 LSB

  3. “Host of heaven”

    The “host” referred to in this phrase is one of the following, depending on the context.

    • the stars, planets, constellations, sun and Moon

      Example:

      and lest you lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which Yahweh your God has apportioned for all the peoples under the whole heaven. —Deuteronomy 4:19 LSB

    • the angels of God in Heaven

      “the heavenly host”

      And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God… —Luke 2:13 excerpt

    • Evil angels / Satan and/or other devils/demons

  4. Host, a person who receives or entertains guests

    Example:

    Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. —Rom. 16:23 excerpt

  5. Host, a innkeeper, tavern-keeper, or the keeper of a caravanserai (caravansary, a roadside inn where caravaners could rest)

    The Good Samaritan paid an innkeeper to host and care for the man who was robbed and beaten Luke 10:35.

Article Version: July 12, 2024