Jehovah-nissi
According toExodus 17:13–16in the Bible,Jehovah-nissi(Hebrew:יְהוָה נִסִּיYHWH nīssī) is the name given by Moses to thealtarwhich he built to celebrate the defeat of theAmalekitesatRephidim.[1]
Translations[edit]
The first word of the phrase is theTetragrammatonיהוה,one of thenames of God in Judaism.It is generally translated inEnglish Biblesas "the LORD",Jehovah,orYahweh.
TheSeptuaginttranslators believednis·si′to be derived fromnus(flee for refuge) and rendered it "the Lord My Refuge",[2]while in theVulgateit was thought to be derived fromna·sas′(hoist; lift up) and was rendered "Jehovah Is My Exaltation".
In many modern Christian translations, such as theNew International Version,the name is translated “the LORDis my banner. "[3]
Interpretation[edit]
The chapter recounts that Israel had the advantage over Amalek as long asMoses,watching the battle from a vantage point, heldhis staffaloft.
Matthew Henryconsidered thatJehovah-nissi(The Lord is my banner) "probably refers to the lifting up of the rod of God as a banner in this action. The presence and power of Jehovah were the banner under which they enlisted, by which they were animated and kept together, and therefore which they erected in the day of their triumph."[4]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Jehovahnissiin the Christian reference workSmith's Bible Dictionary
- ^English Translation of the Greek Septuagint Bible.English Translation by Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton,1851.
- ^Exodus 17:13–16(NIV)
- ^Matthew Henry,Commentary on Exodus 17:8-16(online atCCEL)