Jehovah Nissi – My Banner

Names of God

“And Moses built an altar and named it ‘The LORD is my Banner.”  (Exo. 17:15)

God has many names and titles in the Bible. Each one tells us something important about Him—His character and how He relates to us. And how we must relate to Him. Here is another one of His many Names, which is Jehovah Nissi.

Jehovah Nissi – My Banner

The name Jehovah Nissi appears only once in the Bible. Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim as an inexperienced army wandering in the desert after leaving their bondage in Egypt. Along the way, they were attacked by the Amalekites, a powerful and warlike group of nomads. As the battle commenced, Moses stood on the top of a hill where he could see the armies below him. He held in his hand the “rod of God”—the same rod with which he had struck a rock to bring forth water for the people in the desert (Exo. 17:5-6).

The battle was unusual

“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning” (Exo. 17:11). As Moses’ arms grew weary, they had to be supported by his brother, Aaron, and a man named Hur. At sunset, Israel defeated the Amalekites (verses 12–13). After the battle, Moses built an altar and named it Jehovah Nissi, “the Lord is my banner.”

Therefore

You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. (Psalm 60:4)

“May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! (Psalm 20:5)

“He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” (SOS 2:4 ESV)