He is “Jehovah Nissi”
Because He Is – Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is My Banner
Jehovah is derived from the original Hebrew name of God being YHWH. There were no vowels in the original Hebrew language and from the third to second centuries BC the name of God was so revered by the rabbi’s that they would not pronounce His name for fear of not getting it right. They substituted Adonai (my Lord) instead. Around the 12th century AD the Masoretes added vowel points and it was transliterated as Yehowah. The derived forms of Iehouah and Jehovah first appeared in the 16th century and William Tyndale was the first to use the form Jehovah. This was used in English Bible translations until early in the 20th century. God’s name, YHWH, occurs 6,828 times in the Old Testament and translates as The Existing One or Lord. In our English Bible now it is no longer written as Jehovah but LORD, written in capitals to differential between Lord, in lower case, being Adonai.
Nissi is derived from the word nes meaning banner and Jehovah Nissi is used, only once, in Exodus 17:15. ‘And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi’. The Lord is My Banner.
In battle banners were crucial for identification, leadership and morale. A flag, standard or banner was raised above the troops and it was a symbol of the tribe or nation and served as a rallying point for soldiers. It gave identity and hope and reminded the people that they were not alone. It was a source of inspiration and motivation and people would fight to defend their banner and its associated values. In the same manner God fights for and protects us and we can overcome any obstacle when the Lord is our Banner. It is God who provides the victory, not our own strength or courage and Moses was acknowledging this when he made the alter to Jehovah Nissi. When we acknowledge, or raise the banner of Jehovah Nissi, we declare our allegiance to God and remind ourselves that He will never leave us or forsake us, even in the toughest of times. Jehovah Nissi reminds us of God’s faithfulness and constancy.
In times past people groups had their own banner or flag that identified them, however we unite under the banner of God Himself. We may come from different cultures and backgrounds but we are all one under Jehovah Nissi. The flag or standard of Jehovah Nissi that we serve under gives us a common purpose and identity, to work together for His Kingdom, and as any battle requires a call to action and courage, we draw our strength and boldness, to stand up for what is right and proclaim the truth of God’s Word, knowing that His power, presence and protection is with us at all times. The banner of Jehovah Nissi is a permanent reminder of our identity, purpose and mission as a child of God. Lift the banner high and be proud to serve under it!
*Below is a shortened version re Jehovah if the above Jehovah information has been used in previous devotionals.
Jehovah translates as The Existing One or Lord. The word is derived from havah meaning to be or to exist and living one. It also associates with to become known which evinces our God as the One who reveals Himself unceasingly.
– Candace Humphreys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrZeho4erXA – The Names of God – Laurel Hubick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSRxS93UjH8 – Banner – Brooke Ligertwood