◄ Exodus 17:15 ►
And Moses built an altar and named it The LORD Is My Banner.
Study Bible
And Moses built an altar
The act of building an altar is deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition as a means of worship and remembrance. The Hebrew word for altar, "mizbeach," signifies a place of sacrifice and offering. In the context of Exodus, altars were often constructed to commemorate divine intervention or covenantal moments. Moses, as a leader and prophet, builds this altar to acknowledge God's presence and victory over the Amalekites. This act of building is not merely physical but spiritual, symbolizing a foundation of faith and gratitude.

and named it
Naming in the biblical context is an act of authority and significance. It often reflects the character or the experience associated with the object or person. By naming the altar, Moses is not only marking a historical event but also declaring a theological truth. The act of naming here is a proclamation of God's identity and His role in the lives of the Israelites. It serves as a perpetual reminder of God's faithfulness and power.

The LORD Is My Banner
The phrase "The LORD Is My Banner" translates from the Hebrew "Yahweh Nissi." The term "banner" (Hebrew: "nes") refers to a standard or ensign, often used in military contexts to rally troops or signify victory. In this passage, the banner represents God's protection and leadership. It is a declaration that God is the one who leads and fights for His people. This name encapsulates the essence of divine sovereignty and the assurance of God's presence in battles, both physical and spiritual. Theologically, it points to the ultimate victory found in God, encouraging believers to trust in His guidance and strength.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this passage, Moses acts as a spiritual leader, acknowledging God's role in their victory.

2. The Altar
A physical structure built by Moses to commemorate God's deliverance. It serves as a symbol of worship and remembrance.

3. The LORD Is My Banner (Yahweh Nissi)
This name for God signifies His protection and leadership over Israel. The term "banner" (Hebrew: nes) implies a rallying point or standard.

4. Amalekites
The enemy of Israel in this context, representing opposition to God's people. Their defeat is attributed to divine intervention.

5. Rephidim
The location where the battle with the Amalekites took place and where Moses built the altar.
Teaching Points
God as Our Protector
Just as God protected Israel, He is our protector today. We can trust Him to fight our battles and provide victory over spiritual enemies.

Remembrance and Worship
Building altars in our lives can be symbolic acts of remembrance. We should regularly acknowledge and celebrate God's faithfulness and deliverance.

Unity and Support in Community
Moses needed Aaron and Hur to support him. In our spiritual battles, we need the support of our Christian community to uphold us in prayer and encouragement.

God's Sovereignty in Our Battles
Recognize that our victories are not by our strength but by God's power. We must rely on Him and give Him the glory for our successes.

Symbolism of the Banner
The banner represents identity and allegiance. As Christians, our identity is in Christ, and we should live in a way that reflects His lordship over our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the name "The LORD Is My Banner" (Yahweh Nissi) influence your understanding of God's role in your life today?

2. In what ways can you create "altars" of remembrance in your life to commemorate God's faithfulness?

3. How can the account of Moses, Aaron, and Hur encourage you to seek support from your Christian community during difficult times?

4. What are some "battles" you are currently facing, and how can you rely on God's sovereignty to overcome them?

5. How does the concept of God as a "banner" connect to your identity as a Christian, and how can this influence your daily walk with Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 17:8-13
Provides the context of the battle with the Amalekites, where Moses' raised hands, supported by Aaron and Hur, symbolize reliance on God's power.

Isaiah 11:10
Refers to a "banner" for the peoples, connecting the idea of God as a rallying point for all nations.

Psalm 60:4
Speaks of God giving a banner to those who fear Him, symbolizing protection and victory.

John 3:14-15
Jesus refers to being "lifted up" like the serpent in the wilderness, drawing a parallel to the concept of a banner as a symbol of salvation.
Sermons
Jehovah My BannerG. G. Findlay, B. A.Exodus 17:15
Jehovah NissiAlexander MaclarenExodus 17:15
Jehovah-NissiJ. C. Gray.Exodus 17:15
Jehovah-NissiW. M. Taylor, D. D.Exodus 17:15
Jehovah-NissiA. Nevin, D. D.Exodus 17:15
The Lord My BannerR. Newton, D. D.Exodus 17:15
AmalekJ. Orr Exodus 17:8-16
Christ Our BannerH.T. Robjohns Exodus 17:8-16
The Discomfiture of Amalek in RephidimD. Young Exodus 17:8-16
Victory Through FaithJ. Urquhart Exodus 17:8-16
Jehovah-NissiJ. Orr Exodus 17:15,16
People
Aaron, Amalek, Amalekites, Hur, Israelites, Joshua, Moses
Places
Egypt, Horeb, Massah, Meribah, Nile River, Rephidim, Sinai
Topics
Adonai-nissi, Altar, Banner, Buildeth, Built, Calleth, Jehovahnissi, Jehovah-nissi, Named, Yahweh-nissi
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 17:15

     7302   altar
     8640   calling upon God

Exodus 17:8-15

     5597   victory, act of God

Exodus 17:8-16

     1305   God, activity of

Exodus 17:15-16

     5223   banner

Library
Nature of the Renderings
From the text we now turn to the renderings, and to the general principles that were followed, both in the Old and in the New Testament. The revision of the English text was in each case subject to the same general rule, viz. "To introduce as few alterations as possible into the Text of the Authorised Version consistently with faithfulness"; but, owing to the great difference between the two languages, the Hebrew and the Greek, the application of the rule was necessarily different, and the results …
C. J. Ellicott—Addresses on the Revised Version of Holy Scripture

Jehovah Nissi
'And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi [that is, the Lord is my Banner].' --EXODUS xvii. 15. We are all familiar with that picturesque incident of the conflict between Israel and Amalek, which ended in victory and the erection of this memorial trophy. Moses, as you remember, went up on the mount whilst Joshua and the men of war fought in the plain. But I question whether we usually attach the right meaning to the symbolism of this event. We ordinarily, I suppose, think …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The War of Truth
Now, beloved, this scene of warfare is not recorded in Scripture as in interesting circumstance to amuse the lover of history, but it is written for our edification; for we remember the text which says--"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our profit." There is some profit to be derived from this--and we believe a peculiar profit, too, since God was pleased to make this the first writing commanded by Divine authority as a record for generations to come. We think that the journeys …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

How Churches Can Help Ministers.
Text.--And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses's hands were heavy, and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon: and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other side: and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.--Exodus xvii. 11-13. You who read your Bibles will …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

Exhortation to Prayer.
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Waters of Meribah
'Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Intercessor
'These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee: As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Reaction against Egypt
THE XIth DYNASTY: HARMHABI--THE HITTITE EMPIRE IN SYRIA AND IN ASIA MINOR--SETI I. AND RAMSES II.--THE PEOPLE OF THE SEA: MINEPHTAH AND THE ISRAELITE EXODUS. The birth and antecedents of Harmhabi, his youth, his enthronement--The final triumph of Amon and his priests--Harmhabi infuses order into the government: his wars against the Ethiopians and Asiatics--The Khati, their civilization, religion; their political and military constitution; the extension of their empire towards the north--The countries …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 5

Jehovah. The "I Am. "
WHEN Moses in the desert beheld the burning bush God answered his question by the revelation of His name as the "I Am." "And God said unto Moses, I am, that I am: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Exod. iii:14). He who spake thus out of the bush to Moses was the same who in the fullness of time appeared upon the earth in the form of man. Our Lord Jesus Christ is no less person, than the I AM. If we turn to the fourth Gospel in which the Holy …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

"Because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God, for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. "
Rom. viii. 7.--"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Unbelief is that which condemns the world. It involves in more condemnation than many other sins, not only because more universal, but especially because it shuts up men in their misery, and secludes them from the remedy that is brought to light in the gospel. By unbelief I mean, not only that careless neglect of Jesus Christ offered for salvation, but that which is the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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