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The name Jehovah-nissi is the third Jehovah title to be revealed in Scripture. The first
is concerned with the offering of Isaac (the great type of Christ and His redemption),
Jehovah-jireh, "the Lord will provide". A friend, whose judgment we hold in high
esteem, says that Jehovah-jireh means "Jehovah appeared" (Gen. 22: 14) but we can do
no more at the moment than make the suggestion. The second is connected with the
overthrow of the Egyptians (type of the world), Jehovah-ropheka, "the Lord that healeth
thee" (Exod. 15: 26). The third title is connected with the destruction of Amalek (type of
the flesh), Jehovah-nissi, "the Lord my banner" (Exod. 17: 15). This title is the first of
three that suggests the believer's active appropriation:
"The Lord my banner" (Exod. 17: 15).
"The Lord my shepherd" (Psa. 23: 1).
"The Lord our righteousness" (Jer. 23: 6).
The word `banner' (Hebrew nes) is the word used for the `pole' upon which the
brazen serpent was lifted (Numb. 21: 8, 9). If we turn to the occasion we shall find that
it is a repetition of Rephidim. The people speak against God and against Moses because
of the lack of water. Jehovah-nissi is this time set forth in symbol, and this symbol
speaks of Christ.
"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be
lifted up" (John 3: 14).
The banner under which we must fight our Amalek is the cross of Christ, the serpent
on the pole, suggesting in type the deep doctrine of Rom. 6: 6 and Gal. 5: 24 which
link the conflict with the old man or the flesh with the cross. It is the cross of Christ, seen
not as the means of our redemption, but of our victory over the flesh. This is the burden
of Rom. 6: to 8: and Gal. 5: In the margin of the A.V. of Exod. 17: 16 we read:
"Heb. the hand upon the throne of the Lord."
The translation both of the A.V. and the R.V. shows that those responsible believed
`the hand' to be the Lord's hand, and therefore translated the passage `the Lord hath
sworn'.
The Companion Bible note reads:
"Surely the hand (lifted up) upon the banner of Jah (is to swear)", etc.
The substitution of `banner' for `throne' is explained by Rotherham in his Emphasized
Version as:
"Ginsburg thinks it should be as follows: These are readings suggested by context and
verse, but not supported by the Ancient Versions" (G. Intro., pp. 162, 170).
Rotherham does not endorse this suggestion, but translates:
"Because of a hand against the throne of Yah."