Exodus 17:16

Because the Lord hath sworn -This rendering is incorrect. Our translators regard the expression as a solemn asseveration by the throne of God. However, to this the objections are insuperable; it has no parallel in Scriptural usage: God swears by Himself, not by His Throne. As the Hebrew text now stands the meaning is more satisfactorily given in the margin. An alteration, slight in form, but considerable in meaning, has been proposed with much confidence, namely,נסnês, “standard” forכסאkı̂ssê', “throne”; thus connecting the name of the altar with the sentence.