Isaiah 42:13
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God rises up with warrior-like power to overcome opposition and defend His people.
Context
God enters into active combat as a warrior to defeat enemies opposing His purposes.
What Does Isaiah 42:13 Mean?
The shift to martial imagery portrays God as a mighty warrior stepping into battle. His jealousy—His passionate commitment to His own honor and His people—stirs Him to action, and He advances with the cry and roar of one engaged in combat. This divine warrior defeats all enemies that oppose His purposes.
The emphasis on crying and roaring shows God's active, forceful engagement rather than passive acceptance. His prevailing against enemies affirms His ultimate victory and the futility of opposing His will, providing assurance to His people that despite apparent opposition, His purposes will triumph.