Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
the Fourth Week of Advent
Attention!
Take your personal ministry to the Next Level by helping StudyLight build churches and supporting pastors in Uganda.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Dictionaries
Ensign

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Enosh
Next Entry
entiles
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

Ensign. (Hebrew, nes, in the Authorized Version, generally "ensign," sometimes "standard";

degel "standard," with the exception of Song of Solomon 2:4, "banner;"

oth "ensign").

This distinction between these three Hebrew terms is sufficiently marked by their respective uses.

Nes is a signal, and not a military standard. It is an occasional signal, which was exhibited on the top of a pole from a bare mountain-top, Isaiah 13:2; Isaiah 18:3;

degel is a military standard for a large division of an army; and

oth is a military standard for a small one. Neither of them, however, expresses the idea which "standard" conveys to our minds, namely, A flag.

The standards in use among the Hebrews probably resembled those of the Egyptians and Assyrians - a figure or device of some kind elevated on a pole; usually a sacred emblem, such as an animal, a boat, or the king's name.

Bibliography Information
Smith, William, Dr. Entry for 'Ensign'. Smith's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​sbd/​e/ensign.html. 1901.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile