A Name of God in the Bible: Jehovah-Nissi

The name Jehovah-Nissi is first used in Exodus 17 to commemorate the Israelites’ victory over the Amalekites in the desert. Shortly after the Israelites left Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, ate manna, and drank water from the rock in Horeb (at Rephidim), they faced their first battle. The Amalekites came to Rephidim to fight against Israel. Moses sent Joshua to lead the battle, while he, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a hill. Whenever Moses raised his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered them, the Amalekites were winning. As Moses’ hands grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on and stood beside him, holding up his hands until sunset.

With the help of Aaron and Hur, Moses kept his hands raised, and Joshua won the battle. Moses knew that the key to victory was not in the soldiers’ fighting or in human strategy, but entirely in the power of God. Therefore, no one took credit or sought praise. Moses gave no credit to man but built an altar to commemorate God’s mighty power and named it “Jehovah-Nissi,” which means “the Lord is my banner” (Exodus 17:16). We are the army of Jehovah, not of man or any particular fellowship. God is our commander, and we are His soldiers. We must listen to His orders and commands and obey Him completely. God gives us the strength for battle, and He fights for us. We can accomplish things only by fully relying on the Holy Spirit!