Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament
Jehovah-Nissi occurs only once in
Exd 17:15.
Variant spellings: Jehovah Nisi; Jehovahnissi
TWOT Reference: None
Strong's Reference: 3071
Jehovah Nissi in the Septuagint: kurios kataphugê mou — the Lord is my refuge
Meaning and Derivation: Jehovah is translated as "The Existing One" or "Lord." The chief meaning of
Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word
Havah meaning "to be" or "to exist." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" — this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly.
Nes (
nês), from which
Nissi derived, means "banner" in Hebrew. In
Exd 17:15, Moses, recognizing that the Lord was Israel's banner under which they defeated the Amalekites, builds an altar named
Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord our Banner). Nes is sometimes translated as a pole with an insignia attached. In battle opposing nations would fly their own flag on a pole at each of their respective front lines. This was to give their soldiers a feeling of hope and a focal point. This is what God is to us: a banner of encouragement to give us hope and a focal point.
Further references of the name Jehovah Nissi in the Old Testament: Exd 17:15