Jehovah-nissi

Jehovah-nissi (meaning the LORD is my banner) is the name Moses gave to the altar he erected after Israel's victory over the Amalekites at Rephidim (Exodus 17:15). The battle was Israel's first military engagement after the Exodus, and it was won not by Israelite military power but by the uplifted hands of Moses — whenever his hands were raised, Israel prevailed; when they fell, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur supported his hands until sunset, and Joshua defeated Amalek.

The name commemorates that God, not human strength, is the standard around which Israel rallies in battle. The nes (banner or standard) was the rallying point for armies in ancient warfare; to declare "the LORD is my banner" is to claim God as the ground of military confidence and the source of victory. Isaiah 11:10 and 11:12 develop this image eschatologically: the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the nations, and God will raise a standard to gather the scattered of Israel — pointing toward the messianic gathering under Christ.