Question:
Why is “sabaoth” spelled in this way in James 5:4? Does it mean the same as “Sabbath”?
Answer:
No, this is a different word from “Sabbath.” “Sabaoth” is of Hebrew origin and means armies or hosts; it is a military epithet of God, who is Lord of the armies of Israel. When comparing the following texts, this is easily seen:
"And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha." (Romans 9:29)
"Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah." (Isaiah 1:9)
The expression in James 5:4 conveys the thought that the Lord of all the hosts in heaven and earth is the guardian and avenger of the poor who are oppressed by the grasping rich.
