Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the word "standard" often refers to a banner, ensign, or flag used for rallying troops, signaling, or representing a tribe or group. The concept of a standard is rich with symbolic meaning throughout the Scriptures, serving as a physical representation of identity, unity, and divine guidance.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the term "standard" is frequently associated with the organization and movement of the Israelite tribes, particularly during their wilderness journey. Each tribe had its own standard, which helped maintain order and structure among the people.
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."
The standards served not only as practical tools for organization but also as symbols of the tribes' unique identities and their covenant relationship with God. The standards were likely adorned with emblems or symbols that represented each tribe's heritage and divine calling.
Symbolism and Prophetic ImageryBeyond their practical use, standards carry significant symbolic and prophetic meaning in the Bible. In
Isaiah 11:10 , the prophet speaks of a future time when a "root of Jesse" will stand as a banner for the peoples: "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." This passage is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy, with the "Root of Jesse" referring to Jesus Christ, who would draw all nations to Himself.
Similarly, in
Isaiah 49:22 , God declares, "This is what the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and raise My banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.'" Here, the standard or banner symbolizes God's call to the nations and His promise of restoration and inclusion for His people.
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not frequently use the term "standard" in the same military or tribal sense as the Old Testament, the concept of a standard as a rallying point or symbol of faith remains relevant. Jesus Christ Himself is seen as the ultimate standard or banner for believers, drawing people from all nations to the truth of the Gospel.
In
John 12:32 , Jesus says, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." This statement can be understood as a reference to His crucifixion, where He becomes the ultimate standard of salvation and hope for humanity.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of a standard encompasses both practical and profound spiritual dimensions. It serves as a reminder of God's order, identity, and promises to His people, ultimately pointing to the fulfillment of these promises in Jesus Christ. Through the imagery of standards, believers are called to rally around the truth of the Gospel and find their identity and unity in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A flag; colors; a banner; especially, a national or other ensign.
2. (n.) That which is established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, extent, value, or quality; esp., the original specimen weight or measure sanctioned by government, as the standard pound, gallon, or yard.
3. (n.) That which is established as a rule or model by authority, custom, or general consent; criterion; test.
4. (n.) The proportion of weights of fine metal and alloy established by authority.
5. (n.) A tree of natural size supported by its own stem, and not dwarfed by grafting on the stock of a smaller species nor trained upon a wall or trellis.
6. (n.) The upper petal or banner of a papilionaceous corolla.
7. (n.) An upright support, as one of the poles of a scaffold; any upright in framing.
8. (n.) An inverted knee timber placed upon the deck instead of beneath it, with its vertical branch turned upward from that which lies horizontally.
9. (n.) The sheth of a plow.
10. (n.) A large drinking cup.
11. (a.) Being, affording, or according with, a standard for comparison and judgment; as, standard time; standard weights and measures; a standard authority as to nautical terms; standard gold or silver.
12. (a.) Hence: Having a recognized and permanent value; as, standard works in history; standard authors.
13. (a.) Not supported by, or fastened to, a wall; as, standard fruit trees.
14. (a.) Not of the dwarf kind; as, a standard pear tree.
Greek
2583. kanon -- a rule,standard... a rule,
standard. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: kanon Phonetic
Spelling: (kan-ohn') Short Definition: rule, regulation, province Definition
...3358. metron -- a measure
... 3358 ("standard, measure") is the controlling basis by which something is determined
as acceptable or unacceptable -- rooting to as His being is the only...
1342. dikaios -- correct, righteous, by impl. innocent
... 1342 ("righteous, just") describes what is in conformity to God's own being
(His will,standard of rightness); hence "upright."....
3007. leipo -- to leave, leave behind
... I leave behind, abandon), (a) I am wanting, (b) mid: eg with gen: I come behind
(in a race), am left behind in, fall short of (somestandard), am wanting in....
1344. dikaioo -- to show to be righteous, declare righteous
... right, judicial-approval") -- properly, , especially in a legal, authoritative sense;
to show what is right, ie conformed to a properstandard (ie "upright")....
1341. dikaiokrisia -- righteous judgment
... Cognate: 1341 (a feminine noun derived from 1342 , "righteous" and 2920 , "judgment") --
properly, the brand of based onstandard (His own justice), condemning...
4715. stater -- a stater (a coin)
... coin, a stater. From the base of kauchesis; a stander (standard of value), ie
(specially), a stater or certain coin -- piece of money. see GREEK kauchesis....
5296. hupotuposis -- an outline, sketch, fig. an example
... Word Origin from hupotupoo (to delineate) Definition an outline, sketch, fig. an
example NASB Word Usage example (1),standard (1). pattern, prototype....
433. aneko -- to be fit, be proper
... 433 (from 303 , "completing a process" and 2240 , "come") -- properly, a particular
standard (expectation), ie to what is (, ) to give what "is due, suitable...
3354. metreo -- to measure, measure out
... From metron; to measure (ie Ascertain in size by a fixedstandard); by implication,
to admeasure (ie Allot by rule) -- figuratively, to estimate -- measure...
Strong's Hebrew
5251. nes -- astandard, ensign, signal, sign... 5250, 5251. nes. 5252 . a
standard, ensign, signal, sign. Transliteration:
nes Phonetic Spelling: (nace) Short Definition:
standard.
...1714. degel -- astandard, banner
... 1713b, 1714. degel. 1715 . astandard, banner. Transliteration: degel
Phonetic Spelling: (deh'-gel) Short Definition:standard....
1713b. dagal -- to carry or set up astandard or banner
... 1713a, 1713b. dagal. 1714 . to carry or set up astandard or banner.
Transliteration: dagal Short Definition: banners. Word Origin...
5127. nus -- to flee, escape
... abate, away, be displayed, make to flee away put to flight, hide, lift up a
standard. A primitive root; to flit, ie Vanish away (subside...
5674a. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... rolled (1), run riot (1), runs its course (1), send through (1), sent (2), sent
across (2), sound (2), spare (2), spread beyond (1),standard (1), stretched...
8447. tor -- a plait, turn
... Definition: ornaments. Word Origin from tur Definition a plait, turn NASB Word
Usage ornaments (2),standard (1), turn (2). chapman, sent...
4060a. middah -- measure, measurement, stature, size, a garment
... 1), measure (6), measurement (7), measurements (13), measures of volume (1), measuring
(10), robes (1), roomy (1), section (7), size (3),standard (1), stature...
4941. mishpat -- judgment
... 1), procedure (4), properly (2), regulation (1), right (8), rightful place (1),
rights (2), rule (1), sentence (2), sentenced (1),standard (1), trial (1...
4060. middah -- measure, measurement, stature, size, a garment
... Feminine of mad; properly, extension, ie Height or breadth; also a measure (including
itsstandard); hence a portion (as measured) or a vestment; specifically...
4971. mathkoneth -- measurement, tally, proportion
... Word Origin from takan Definition measurement, tally, proportion NASB Word Usage
proportions (2), quota (1), specifications (1),standard (1)....
Library
A Description of theStandard of the Cross, which the Romans Now...
... Book I. Chapter XXXI."A Description of theStandard of the Cross, which the Romans
now call the Labarum. Now it was made in the following manner....
The Making of theStandard of the Cross.
... The Life of the blessed emperor constantine, by eusebius pamphilus. Book
I. Chapter XXX."The Making of theStandard of the Cross....
It is the UltimateStandard for Regulating Conduct.
... Chapter Fourteen Application of the Argument III. It Is the UltimateStandard
for Regulating Conduct. How can man be just with God?...
October the Twenty-Second the TrueStandard of Greatness
... October The Twenty-second THE TRUESTANDARD OF GREATNESS. MATTHEW xviii.1-7.... How
infinite is the contrast between Hisstandard and the standards of the world!...
Standard Expositions of the Roman Catholic System.
... A HISTORY OF THE CREEDS OF CHRISTENDOM 23.Standard Expositions of the Roman
Catholic System. Italy, France, and Germany have successively...
We must Observe a RightStandard Between Too Great Mildness and...
... Book II. Chapter XXII. We must observe a rightstandard between too great
mildness and excessive harshness.? We must observe a...
Called to Reach a HigherStandard
... Lesson 30 Called to Reach a HigherStandard. [This chapter is based on the
First Epistle to the Corinthians.] In the hope of impressing...
Prayer and a Definite ReligiousStandard
... IX. PRAYER AND A DEFINITE RELIGIOUSSTANDARD. "The Angel Gabriel described
Him as that holy thing' before He was born. As He was, so...
Conclusion by the Editor. Tokens of Love from Many. Keeps Writing....
... Keeps Writing. Controversy with theStandard. Last Meeting with His Mother.... Keeps
Writing. Controversy with theStandard. Last Meeting with His Mother....
The Right to what I Consider a NormalStandard of Living
... CHAPTER 2 The Right to What I Consider a NormalStandard of Living.... Astandard
of living"what does it amount to? How important is it?...
Thesaurus
Standard (42 Occurrences)... for the measure of quantity, extent, value, or quality; esp., the original specimen
weight or measure sanctioned by government, as the
standard pound, gallon
...Standard-bearer (1 Occurrence)
Standard-bearer. Standardbearer,Standard-bearer. Standards . Int.Standard
Bible EncyclopediaSTANDARD-BEARER. stand'-ard-bar'-er....
Sojourner (81 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who sojourns. Int.Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
STRANGER AND SOJOURNER (IN THE APOCRYPHA AND THE NEW TESTAMENT)....
Kindness (295 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A kind act; an act of good will; as, to do a great kindness. Int.Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. BROTHERLY KINDNESS; BROTHERLY LOVE....
Kine (24 Occurrences)
... the river's brink. Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n. pl.) Cows. Int.Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. COW; KINE. kou, kin (baqar (compare...
Sect (10 Occurrences)
... the state, an order, rank, class, or party. Int.Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SECT. sekt (hairesis): "Sect" (Latin, secta, from sequi...
Skill (26 Occurrences)
... performance. 8. (vi) To make a difference; to signify; to matter; -- used
impersonally. Int.Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SKILL; SKILFUL. skil...
Shew (226 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt & i.) See Show. 2. (n.) Show. Int.Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. SHEW, SHOW. sho: "Show" (so always...
Skilful (38 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) See Skilful. Int.Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SKILL; SKILFUL. skil, skil'-fool (forms of yadha` (2...
Show (1340 Occurrences)
... 14. (n.) A pale blue flame, at the top of a candle flame, indicating the presence
of fire damp. Int.Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHEW, SHOW....
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