Exodus 17:16

16. Because the Lord (JEHOVAH) hath sworn An obscure and much disputed verse . It is quite generally conceded that “throne” here should be read “banner,” as in Exodus 17:15, כס being some copyist’s error for נס , which could very easily take place, especially as the word is nowhere else found . (Mich . , Vater, Houbig . , Ges . , Knob . ) The “because” shows that this verse gives a reason for the name of the altar, and the literal rendering would then run thus: And he said, [the name is Jehovah, my Banner,] Because the hand [of Israel is] on the banner of JAH, [there shall be] war from Jehovah with Amalek from generation to generation; that is, till he is blotted out. That is, Jehovah has reared up a standard against this heathen people, on which standard Israel has laid its hand, as Moses on this eventful day laid his hand upon the rod of God, and that standard shall not fall till Amalek is blotted out. Amalek, called by Balaam the “beginning of peoples,” most ancient among nations, the first foe of the covenant people, is the type of universal heathenism, which shall fall before Jehovah’s banner; and that banner shall not droop in the hands of his true Israel the rod will not sink on the mount, nor the sword drop on the field till all his foes are “wiped out” from under heaven. The Jehovah-Saviour “must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”