And Moses built an altar
On Horeb, as Aben Ezra; on the top of the hill, as Ben Gersom,
where sacrifices of thanksgiving were offered up for the victory
obtained, or however a monument erected in memory of it:
and he called the name of it Jehovahnissi;
which signifies either "the Lord is my miracle" who wrought a
miracle for them in giving them the victory over Amalek, as well
as, through smiting the rock with the rod, brought out water from
thence for the refreshment of the people, their children and
cattle; or "the Lord is my banner": alluding to the hands of
Moses being lifted up with the rod therein, as a banner
displayed, under which Joshua and Israel fought, and got the
victory. This may fitly be applied to Christ, who is both altar,
sacrifice, and priest, and who is the true Jehovah, and after so
called; and who is lifted up as a banner, standard, or ensign in
the everlasting Gospel, in order to gather souls unto him, and
enlist them under him, and to prepare them for war, and encourage
them in it against their spiritual enemies; and as a token of
their victory over them, and a direction to them where they shall
stand, when to march, and whom they shall follow; and to
distinguish them from all other bands and companies, and for the
protection of them from all their enemies, see ( Isaiah 11:10
) . These words were inscribed upon the altar, or the altar was
called the altar of Jehovahnissi, in memory of what was here
done; from hence it has been thought F1, that Baachus, among the
Heathens, had his name of Dionysius, as if it was
Jehovahnyssaeus.