Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, banners served as important symbols and markers for tribes, armies, and religious ceremonies. They were often used to signify identity, rally people together, and declare allegiance. The concept of banners is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and spiritual truths.
Old Testament Usage1.
Tribal Identity and Warfare: In the Old Testament, banners were prominently used by the tribes of Israel. Each tribe had its own banner, which served as a rallying point during their wilderness journey.
Numbers 2:2 states, "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 helped maintain order and organization among the tribes.
2.
Symbol of God's Protection and Presence: Banners also symbolized God's protection and presence among His people. In
Exodus 17:15 , after the victory over the Amalekites, Moses built an altar and named it "The LORD Is My Banner." This name, Jehovah-Nissi, signifies that God Himself is the banner under which His people find victory and protection.
3.
Prophetic Imagery: The prophets used the imagery of banners to convey messages from God.
Isaiah 11:10 speaks of a future hope: "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious." Here, the banner represents the Messiah, a rallying point for all nations.
New Testament and Spiritual Significance1.
Christ as Our Banner: In the New Testament, the concept of a banner takes on a spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ is seen as the ultimate banner for believers.
John 12:32 records Jesus saying, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." This lifting up is akin to raising a banner, drawing people to salvation through His sacrifice.
2.
Love and Unity: The Song of Solomon uses the imagery of a banner to describe love and unity.
Song of Solomon 2:4 states, "He has brought me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love." This verse is often interpreted as a metaphor for Christ's love for the Church, symbolizing the protective and unifying nature of His love.
3.
Spiritual Warfare: In spiritual warfare, believers are called to rally under the banner of Christ.
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor of God, which believers are to put on as they stand firm against spiritual forces. The imagery of a banner can be seen in the call to stand united under the truth and power of Christ.
Cultural and Historical ContextBanners in ancient Near Eastern cultures were often made of cloth, wood, or metal and were displayed on poles. They could bear symbols, colors, or inscriptions that identified a group or deity. In Israel, banners were not merely decorative but held deep spiritual and communal significance, often associated with divine guidance and protection.
ConclusionThroughout the Bible, banners serve as powerful symbols of identity, divine protection, and spiritual truth. They remind believers of God's presence, the unity of His people, and the ultimate victory found in Christ.
Strong's Hebrew
1713b. dagal -- to carry or set up a standard or banner... 1713a, 1713b. dagal. 1714 . to carry or set up a standard or banner.
Transliteration: dagal Short Definition:
banners. Word Origin
...1713. dagal -- to look, behold
... set up, withbanners, chiefest A primitive root; to flaunt, ie Raise a flag;
figuratively, to be conspicuous -- (set up, with)banners, chiefest. 1712, 1713....
226. oth -- a sign
... Word Origin from avah Definition a sign NASB Word Usagebanners (1), omens (1),
pledge (1), sign (43), signs (30), standards (1), witness (1), wondrous (1)....
Library
Wave, Wave YourBanners High,
... MISCELLANEOUS IX Wave, wave yourbanners high,. 6,6,8,6,8,8. Wave, wave yourbanners
high,. The day of strife is done,. On blood-red field the foemen lie,....
The RoyalBanners Forward Go
... THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Week 144. The royalbanners forward go. LM... John Mason Neale,
1851. The royalbanners forward go,. The cross shines forth in mystic glow;...
The Destruction of Sennacherib
... Like the leaves of the forest when summer is green, That host with theirbanners
at sunset were seen; Like the leaves of the forest when autumn hath blown...
Chapter vi.
... my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.2. 4. Thou art beautiful, O my love,
as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army withbanners.3. Thou...
The Church as She Should Be
... "Thou art beautiful, O my love as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army
withbanners.""Song of Solomon 6:4.... But why an army withbanners?...
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
... We find none of that tinsel and specious glitter in the triumph of Christ. No hired
multitudes applaud him; no gold-broideredbanners wave in his honor....
Communion Again Broken --Restoration
... (the glorious city of the great King,). Terrible (or rather brilliant) as an army
withbanners.... Clear as the sun,. Brilliant as an army withbanners?...
The War of Truth
... it had not been for her religion; and in that hour when she shall forsake her God,
her glory shall have fallen, and "Ichabod" shall be written upon herbanners...
Article xv (viii): of Human Traditions in the Church.
... ie, to hold that God becomes reconciled by a variety in clothing, ornaments, and
by similar rites [many kinds of church decorations,banners, tapers], as are...
A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain
... an instrument in the hand of the Lord, even I, the old volcanic hill"I have pertained
to the Moor and the Briton"they have unfolded theirbanners from my...
Thesaurus
Banners (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Banners (4 Occurrences).
... Psalms 20:5 We will triumph in
your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our
banners.
...Banner (20 Occurrences)
... Thebanners and ensigns of the Roman army had idolatrous images upon them, and
hence they are called the "abomination of desolation" (qv)....
Bannered (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Furnished with, or bearing,banners.
Multi-Version Concordance Bannered (2 Occurrences). Song of Songs...
Awesome (47 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Song of Songs 6:4 You are beautiful, my love, as Tirzah, lovely
as Jerusalem, awesome as an army withbanners. (WEB NAS)....
Terrible (90 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Song of Songs 6:4 Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem,
terrible as an army withbanners. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)....
Troops (92 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Song of Songs 6:4 Thou art fair, my love, as Tirzah, Comely
as Jerusalem, Terrible as troops withbanners: (DBY NIV)....
Esdraelon
... Turks, and Arabs, warriors out of every nation which is under heaven, have pitched
their tents in the plain, and have beheld the variousbanners of their...
Encamp (108 Occurrences)
... Numbers 2:2 "The children of Israel shall encamp every man by his own standard,
with thebanners of their fathers' houses: at a distance from the Tent of...
Petitions (24 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Psalms 20:5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God
we will set up ourbanners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions....
Benediction
... 5. (n.) A solemn rite by which bells,banners, candles, etc., are blessed with holy
water, and formally dedicated to God. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
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