Topical Bible: Titles and Names of Christ: Captain of the Lord's Hosts

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Topical Encyclopedia

The title "Captain of the Lord's Hosts" is a significant designation for Christ, reflecting His supreme authority and leadership over the heavenly armies. This title is primarily derived from the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Joshua, where it is associated with a divine encounter that underscores Christ's pre-incarnate role as a leader and protector of God's people.

Biblical Reference:

The primary scriptural reference for this title is found in Joshua 5:13-15. In this passage, Joshua, the leader of Israel, encounters a mysterious figure near Jericho:

"Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' 'Neither,' he replied. 'I have now come as commander of the LORD’s army.' Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked him, 'What does my Lord have to say to His servant?' The commander of the LORD’s army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so." (Joshua 5:13-15)

Theological Significance:

1. Pre-Incarnate Christ: Many conservative theologians interpret the "commander of the LORD’s army" as a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. This interpretation is supported by the figure's acceptance of worship from Joshua, which would be inappropriate for a mere angel, as angels consistently refuse worship in other biblical accounts (Revelation 19:10).

2. Divine Authority: The title emphasizes Christ's divine authority and leadership. As the Captain of the Lord's Hosts, Christ is depicted as the supreme commander of the heavenly armies, underscoring His power and sovereignty over all spiritual and earthly realms.

3. Protector and Leader: This title also highlights Christ's role as the protector and leader of God's people. Just as Joshua was assured of divine presence and guidance in the conquest of Canaan, believers are assured of Christ's leadership and protection in their spiritual battles.

4. Holiness and Reverence: The command to Joshua to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground signifies the holiness of the presence of the Captain of the Lord's Hosts. This encounter calls for reverence and submission to divine authority, reflecting the holiness and majesty of Christ.

Christological Implications:

The title "Captain of the Lord's Hosts" enriches the understanding of Christ's multifaceted role in redemptive history. It portrays Him not only as a Savior but also as a divine warrior who leads and fights for His people. This aspect of Christ's identity is further echoed in the New Testament, where He is depicted as the victorious King who will return with the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:11-16).

In summary, the title "Captain of the Lord's Hosts" encapsulates Christ's authority, leadership, and protective role over His people, affirming His divine nature and His active involvement in the spiritual warfare that believers face.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 5:14,15
And he said, No; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said to him, What said my Lord to his servant?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... upon Christ, by offices, places of trust, and titles of honour ... them not be ashamed
for my sake, O Lord God of ... were not spoken by the prophet of Christ; for both ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the work of jesus christ.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... are his, and that by the best of titles: 'Thine they were ... already, 'I will not take
up their names into my ... are already justified by the blood of Christ yet such ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... be made a captain, and a good captain to become ... ignorance, [2679] circumcision and
uncircumcision, [2680] Christ and the ... Some he names his joy and crown, [2682 ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

A Discourse
... she turns again, and pleads by her titles, her features ... print, as also the many petty
divisions and names amongst us ... the apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ do in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ...
... was in expecting a present kingdom; and therefore our Lord's answer to ... the people
into the promised land, and Jesus Christ being the captain of salvation ...
/.../xiv proposition xiv fifthly as.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... our conflicts that noble soldier of Christ and vehement ... of our power, according as
our captain may lead ... of truth, have overlooked all those names supplied by ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you ... The reader will observe that, while
the titles "presbyter" and ... The names of the first two suggest that they were ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... their object, and issues in the Revelation of Christ from Heaven ... 17, 1819, Dr. Seiss
tells us that "Captain Ross saw ... day is a day of the Lord, the Lord of hosts ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

The Holy War,
... be most cruel tyrants and butchers of Christ and his ... of hypocrisy, and with glorious
shining titles.' Thus this ... in which they are placed, and the names of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... the porch of the temple, and they had names given them ... What now are all other titles
of grandeur and greatness ... birds, above the solid and godly truths of Christ. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm