The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.

ISAIAH 42:13KJV
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Isaiah 42:13 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 42:13 mean?

Isaiah 42:13 describes the LORD going out like a powerful warrior, stirring up intense zeal and making a loud, commanding cry as he overcomes his enemies. The verse uses the image of a mighty man of war to show God’s strength and determination in acting on behalf of his people.

In this part of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking to the people of Israel, describing how God will act decisively and forcefully to bring justice and deliverance. The language is vivid and dramatic, showing God not as distant or passive but as someone who enters the struggle with energy and resolve.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 42:13

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that it is Israel’s covenant God who is acting, not a generic deity.
  • jealousy (קִנְאָה, qin’ah): This word means zeal or passionate intensity. Here, it highlights God’s deep commitment and emotional investment in defending his people, not just anger or envy.
  • prevail (גָּבַר, gavar): This word means to be strong or to overpower. It stresses that God’s victory over his enemies is certain and unstoppable, not just a struggle or contest.

Why Isaiah 42:13 matters

  • Isaiah 42:13 clears up the idea that God is always gentle or distant; here, God is pictured as active and forceful, fighting for what is right.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s personal involvement and intense commitment to his people, not just a detached or abstract justice.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by contrasting God’s earlier gentleness (Isaiah 42:1–4) with his readiness to act powerfully when needed, showing both sides of God’s character.

Where else these words appear

“roar” Hebrew H6873 · used in 2 verses

  • Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

“prevail” Hebrew H1396 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 7:18 And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters.
  • 2 Samuel 1:23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
  • Psalms 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

“jealousy” Hebrew H7068 · used in 41 verses

  • Numbers 5:14 And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
  • Psalms 119:139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
  • Ezekiel 5:13 Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

“cry” Hebrew H7321 · used in 42 verses

  • Numbers 10:7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
  • 2 Chronicles 13:15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
  • Psalms 98:6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.