Some have suggested that Joshua lifted up his spear, perhaps with some banner or emblem on it, and that he held it aloft as Moses uplifted his arms 40 years before when Joshua fought the Amalekites. On the other hand, the language need imply nothing more than that he desisted from withdrawing his spear in battle until the work God had commanded was completed. It is likely, however, that Joshua would have recalled the scene at Rephidim when he had personally led in the battle against Amalek (Ex. 17:8-13), and prevailed as long as Moses held up the rod of God in his hand.