Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, a banner was a standard or ensign used for various purposes, often serving as a rallying point or symbol of identity and allegiance. The concept of a banner is rich with symbolic meaning throughout the Scriptures, representing God's protection, guidance, and the identity of His people.
Old Testament UsageThe Hebrew word for banner is "נֵס" (nes), which appears in several key passages. In the wilderness, the tribes of Israel camped under their respective banners, as described in
Numbers 2:2: "The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance from it, each man under his standard, with the banners of his family." These banners served as a means of organization and identity for the tribes during their journey to the Promised Land.
In
Exodus 17:15, after the Israelites' victory over the Amalekites, Moses built an altar and named it "The LORD Is My Banner" (Yahweh Nissi). This declaration signified that the Lord Himself was the source of their victory and protection. The banner here symbolizes divine intervention and the assurance of God's presence in battle.
Prophetic and Poetic ImageryBanners also appear in the poetic and prophetic literature of the Old Testament. In the
Song of Solomon 2:4, the beloved says, "He has brought me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love." This imagery conveys a sense of belonging and the protective, loving nature of the relationship between God and His people.
Isaiah frequently uses the imagery of a banner to describe God's call to the nations and His gathering of His people. In
Isaiah 11:10, it is prophesied, "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious." Here, the banner represents the Messiah, who will draw all nations to Himself.
New Testament ReflectionsWhile the New Testament does not explicitly mention banners, the concept is reflected in the identity and mission of the Church. Believers are called to be a visible representation of Christ on earth, much like a banner that signals allegiance and identity. In
John 12:32, Jesus says, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." This lifting up can be seen as a metaphorical banner, drawing people to the salvation offered through Christ's sacrifice.
Symbolism and ApplicationIn Christian tradition, banners have been used in worship and processions, symbolizing the victory of Christ and the unity of believers. They serve as reminders of God's promises and the call to live under His authority and protection. The banner, as a symbol, encourages believers to rally under the truth of the Gospel and to stand firm in their faith amidst spiritual battles.
Throughout Scripture, the banner is a powerful symbol of God's presence, protection, and the identity of His people. It calls believers to remember their allegiance to God and to live as His representatives in the world.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Banner[SeeENSIGN]
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) The flag or banner of the larger kind, serving for three tribes marching together. These standards, of which there were four, were worked with embroidery and beautifully ornamented (Numbers 1:52;2:2, 3, 10, 18, 25; Cant. 2:4;6:4, 10).
(2.) The flag borne by each separate tribe, of a smaller form. Probably it bore on it the name of the tribe to which it belonged, or some distinguishing device (Numbers 2:2, 34).
(3.) A lofty signal-flag, not carried about, but stationary. It was usually erected on a mountain or other lofty place. As soon as it was seen the war-trumpets were blown (Psalm 60:4;Isaiah 5:26;11:12;13:2;18:3;30:17;Jeremiah 4:6 21;Ezek. 27:7).
(4.) A "sign of fire" (Jeremiah 6:1) was sometimes used as a signal.
The banners and ensigns of the Roman army had idolatrous images upon them, and hence they are called the "abomination of desolation" (q.v.). The principal Roman standard, however, was an eagle. (SeeMatthew 24:28;Luke 17:37, where the Jewish nation is compared to a dead body, which the eagles gather together to devour.)
God's setting up or giving a banner (Psalm 20:5;60:4; Cant. 2:4) imports his presence and protection and aid extended to his people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A kind of flag attached to a spear or pike by a crosspiece, and used by a chief as his standard in battle.
2. (n.) A large piece of silk or other cloth, with a device or motto, extended on a crosspiece, and borne in a procession, or suspended in some conspicuous place.
3. (n.) Any flag or standard; as, the star-spangled banner.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BANNERban'-er (ENSIGN, STANDARDS): The English word "banner" is from banderia, Low Latin, meaning a banner (compare bandum, Latin, which meant first a "band," an organized military troop, and then a "flag"). It has come to mean a flag, or standard, carried at the head of a military band or body, to indicate the line of march, or the rallying point, and it is now applied, in its more extended significance, to royal, national, or ecclesiastical "banners" also. We find it applied sometimes to a streamer on the end of a lance, such as is used by the Arab sheik today. "Banner" occurs in the following significant Old Testament passages:
(1) in the singular, "Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain" (Isaiah 13:2 the King James Version); "a banner to them that fear thee" (Psalm 60:4); and
(2) in the plur., "In the name of our God we will set up our banner" (Psalm 20:5); "terrible as an army with banner" (Songs 6:4).
1. Military Ensigns among the Hebrews:
The Hebrews, it would seem, like the Assyrians, the Egyptians, and other ancient nations, had military ensigns. As bearing upon this question, a very significant passage is that found inNumbers 2:2: "The children of Israel shall encamp every man by his own standard, with the ensigns of their fathers' houses." "Standard-bearer" inIsaiah 10:18 the King James Version, "They shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth," is not a case in point, but is to be rendered as in the Revised Version, margin, "as when a si ck man pineth away."
In this noted passage a distinction seems intentionally made (another view is held by some) between "the ensigns of their fathers' houses" (literally, "signs"; comparePsalm 74:4, where the reference is thought by some today to be to the standards of Antiochus' army), and "the standards" of the four great divisions of the Hebrew tribes in the wilderness (compare the "banner" ofSongs 2:4 andSongs 6:4, 10).
2. A Distinction with a Difference:
The relation of these to the "standard" ofNumbers 21:8 f (Hebrew nec, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "standard") is by no means clear. The word nec, here translated "standard," seems to have meant at first a pole set up on an eminence as a signal for mustering troops (compare "mast"Isaiah 30:17 the English Revised Version, margin). But it occurs frequently in the prophets both in this literal and original sense, and in the figurative or derived sense of a rallying point for God's people (seeIsaiah 5:26;Isaiah 11:10Jeremiah 4:21 and elsewhere). Here the rendering in English Versions of the Bible alternates between "ensign" and "banner" (see HDB, 1-vol, article "Banner").
George B. Eager
Strong's Hebrew
1714. degel -- a standard,banner... 1713b, 1714. degel. 1715 . a standard,
banner. Transliteration: degel Phonetic
Spelling: (deh'-gel) Short Definition: standard.
...banner, standard.
...1713b. dagal -- to carry or set up a standard orbanner
... 1713a, 1713b. dagal. 1714 . to carry or set up a standard orbanner.
Transliteration: dagal Short Definition: banners. Word Origin...
5251. nes -- a standard, ensign, signal, sign
... Word Origin from nasas Definition a standard, ensign, signal, sign NASB Word Usage
banner (2), distinguishing mark (1), sail (1), signal (4), standard (12...
3071. Yhvh Nissi -- Jehovah-nissi
... From Yhovah and nec with the prononimal suffix; Jehovah (is) mybanner;
Jehovah-Nissi, a symbolical name of an altar in the Desert -- Jehovah-nissi....
Library
Beneath hisBanner
... HYMNS BENEATH HISBANNER. "Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son
of Jesse.""1 Chronicles 12:18. Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277....
Fling Out theBanner! Let it Float
... V. THE CHURCH Missions 482. Fling out thebanner! let it float. LM... John Baptiste
Calkin, 1872. George W. Doane, 1848. Fling out thebanner! let it float....
Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord MyBanner. Ex 17:15
... EXODUS Hymn 17 JEHOVAH-NISSI, The Lord mybanner. Ex 17:15. William Cowper
6,6,6,6,8,8. JEHOVAH-NISSI, The Lord mybanner. Ex 17:15. By whom was David taught,....
Brightly Gleams OurBanner
... PROCESSIONALS Processionals 529. Brightly gleams ourbanner. 6.5., 12 lines
[2078]Sion:... Thomas J. Potter, 1860. Brightly gleams ourbanner,. Pointing to the...
Missionary Chant. LM
... 452 Missionary Chant. LM. The GospelBanner. (1027) Fling out thebanner!
let it float Skyward and seaward, high and wide, The sun...
Jehovah Nissi
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS JEHOVAH NISSI. 'And Moses built an altar, and called the name
of it Jehovah Nissi [that is, the Lord is myBanner].' "Exodus 17:15....
Condemned to be Shot.
... And so God says, "Come under mybanner, come under thebanner of love, come under
thebanner of heaven." God will take care of all that will come under His...
Index of Tunes.
... 375. I'M GLAD I'M IN THIS ARMY, 299 IMMANUEL'SBANNER, 188 INDEPENDENCE, 332
INNSBRUCK, 91 IT IS WELL, 440 (See Index of Hymns). JAZER...
Entire Sanctification a Necessity.
... multitudes, and give them the desire of their hearts by saving them to the uttermost,
and may their numbers be vastly increased, so that thebanner of Christ's...
Illustrations
... 1. Portrait of J. Hudson Taylor Frontispiece 2. The "Lammermuir" party Facing "Contents"
PAGE 3. Honorarybanner presented to a missionary 1 4. A heavy road in...
Thesaurus
Banner (20 Occurrences)... (1.) The flag or
banner of the larger kind, serving for three tribes marching together.
... God's setting up or giving a
banner (Psalm 20:5; 60:4; Cant.
...Ensign (21 Occurrences)
... In Cant. 2:4 it is rendered "banner." We have no definite information as to the
nature of these military standards. (seeBANNER.). Noah Webster's Dictionary....
Jehovahnissi (1 Occurrence)
... Jehovah mybanner, the title given by Moses to the altar which he erected on the
hill on the top of which he stood with uplifted hands while Israel prevailed...
Jehovah-nissi (1 Occurrence)
... Jehovah mybanner, the title given by Moses to the altar which he erected on the
hill on the top of which he stood with uplifted hands while Israel prevailed...
Standard (42 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A flag; colors; abanner; especially, a national or other ensign.... 6.
(n.) The upper petal orbanner of a papilionaceous corolla....
Beacon (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:17). In Isaiah 33:23 and Ezek. 27:5, the same word is rendered
"mast." (seeBanner.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A...
Unfurled (1 Occurrence)
... Unfurled (1 Occurrence). Psalms 60:4 You have given abanner to those who fear you,
that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. (See NIV)....
Outcasts (13 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 11:12 He will set up abanner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts
of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four...
Whistle (3 Occurrences)
... Whistle (3 Occurrences). Isaiah 5:26 He will lift up abanner to the nations from
far, and he will whistle for them from the end of the earth....
Flag (30 Occurrences)
... to indicate nationality, party, etc., or to give or ask information; -- commonly
attached to a staff to be waved by the wind; a standard; abanner; an ensign...
Resources
What does it mean that the Lord is my banner? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Jehovah-Nissi? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jesse in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBanner: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
