An "ensign" in biblical terms refers to a standard, banner, or signal used for rallying people, often in a military or communal context. The term is used in various passages throughout the Bible, symbolizing leadership, guidance, and divine intervention.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for ensign is "נֵס" (nes), which is often translated as "banner" or "standard." It is prominently featured in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. In Numbers 2:2 , God commands the Israelites: "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." Here, the ensign serves as a rallying point for each tribe, signifying order and organization among the people of God.

The ensign also appears in prophetic literature, symbolizing a call to gather or a sign of God's deliverance. Isaiah 11:10 states, "On 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." This passage points to the messianic hope, where the ensign represents the coming of the Messiah, a signal for all nations to gather and seek the Lord.

Symbolism and Significance

The ensign is rich in symbolic meaning, often representing God's protection and presence. In Exodus 17:15 , after the victory over the Amalekites, Moses builds an altar and names it "The LORD Is My Banner." This act signifies that the Lord Himself is the ensign under which His people find victory and identity.

In a broader sense, the ensign is a symbol of divine authority and leadership. It is a visible sign of God's covenant with His people, reminding them of His promises and their responsibilities. The ensign serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the call to follow His guidance.

New Testament Reflection

While the specific term "ensign" is not used in the New Testament, the concept is reflected in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, Christ is the ultimate ensign, drawing all people to Himself. In John 12:32 , Jesus declares, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." Here, the lifting up of Christ on the cross becomes the ultimate signal for salvation, akin to an ensign that gathers and unites believers under His lordship.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of an ensign encompasses themes of leadership, divine presence, and communal identity. It serves as a powerful symbol of God's guidance and the call to rally under His authority, both in the historical context of Israel and in the spiritual reality of the Christian faith.

(1.) Hebrews `oth, a military standard, especially of a single tribe (Numbers 2:2). Each separate tribe had its own "sign" or "ensign."

(2.) Hebrews nes, a lofty signal, as a column or high pole (Numbers 21:8, 9); a standard or signal or flag placed on high mountains to point out to the people a place of rendezvous on the irruption of an enemy (Isaiah 5:26; 11:12; 18:3; 62:10; Jeremiah 4:6, 21; Psalm 60:4). This was an occasional signal, and not a military standard. Elevation and conspicuity are implied in the word.

(3.) The Hebrew word degel denotes the standard given to each of the four divisions of the host of the Israelites at the Exodus (Numbers 1:52; 2:2; 10:14). In Cant. 2:4 it is rendered "banner." We have no definite information as to the nature of these military standards. (see BANNER.)

1. (n.) A flag; a banner; a standard; esp., the national flag, or a banner indicating nationality, carried by a ship or a body of soldiers; -- as distinguished from flags indicating divisions of the army, rank of naval officers, or private signals, and the like.

2. (n.) A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice.

3. (n.) Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol.

4. (n.) Formerly, a commissioned officer of the army who carried the ensign or flag of a company or regiment.

5. (n.) A commissioned officer of the lowest grade in the navy, corresponding to the grade of second lieutenant in the army.

6. (v. t.) To designate as by an ensign.

7. (v. t.) To distinguish by a mark or ornament; esp. (Her.), by a crown; thus, any charge which has a crown immediately above or upon it, is said to be ensigned.

ENSIGN

en'-sin.

See BANNER.

5251. nes -- a standard, ensign, signal, sign
... nes. 5252 . a standard, ensign, signal, sign. Transliteration: nes Phonetic Spelling:
(nace) Short Definition: standard. ... banner, pole, sail, ensign, standard. ...
/hebrew/5251.htm - 6k

5264. nasas -- perhaps to be high or conspicuous
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition perhaps to be high or conspicuous NASB Word
Usage displayed (1), sparkling (1). lift up as an ensign. ...
/hebrew/5264.htm - 6k

226. oth -- a sign
... 43), signs (30), standards (1), witness (1), wondrous (1). mark, miracle,
ensign. Probably from 'uwth (in the sense of appearing); a ...
/hebrew/226.htm - 6k

The Church as She Should Be
... or ambitious adventurers. The church unfurls her ensign to the breeze that
all may know whose she is and whom she serves. This is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

Christ with Chrism, Lo!
... 24. The sheep of Christ leaped for joy, to receive the seal of life, that
ensign of kings which has ever put sin to flight. The ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iii christ with chrism.htm

Hope for the Heathen
... "In that day," says Isaiah, "there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for
an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 31 hope for the.htm

The Shortest of the Seven Cries
... light. First, we shall look upon them as THE ENSIGN OF HIS TRUE HUMANITY.
Jesus said, "I thirst," and this is the complaint of a man. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/the shortest of the seven.htm

Symbolic Ornaments of the Church
... "It glitters on the crown of the monarch. It forms the ensign of nations. It crowns
alike the loftiest spires of Christendom and the lowliest parish churches. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolic ornaments of the church.htm

The Sermon of the Seasons
... Fear not in the day of tempest, for the rain shall not deluge the earth. The Lord
setteth his bow in the cloud as the ensign of his covenant with mankind. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the sermon of the seasons.htm

The Death of Saint David.
... I will give the signal for the onset, which will lay thousands of our foemen low;
and see, for my ensign, I do wear upon my burgonet this leek, which will, if ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter sixteen the death of.htm

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
... Believers are not only pardoned but crowned. The crown is an ensign of honour.
A crown is not for every one. It will not fit every head. ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/5 the poor in spirit.htm

Letter E
... Edward F. "Received 1829, Located 1833 * Enochs, Isaac V. "Received 1824, Located
1832 * Enos, William H. "Received 1829 * Ensign, Datus "Received 1804 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter e.htm

Hymn for the Epiphany
... Lo! from the regions of the morn Wherein the radiant sun is born, The Persian
sages see on high God's ensign shining in the sky. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/xii hymn for the epiphany.htm

Ensign (21 Occurrences)
... (1.) Hebrews `oth, a military standard, especially of a single tribe (Numbers
2:2). Each separate tribe had its own "sign" or "ensign.". ...ENSIGN. en'-sin. ...
/e/ensign.htm - 15k

Signal (18 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:26 And He will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss
unto them from the end of the earth; and, behold, they shall come with speed ...
/s/signal.htm - 12k

Abomination (78 Occurrences)
... "Almost the entire religion of the Roman camp consisted in worshipping the ensign,
swearing by the ensign, and in preferring the ensign before all other gods ...
/a/abomination.htm - 55k

Beacon (3 Occurrences)
... A pole (Hebrews to'ren) used as a standard or ensign set on the tops of mountains
as a call to the people to assemble themselves for some great national ...
/b/beacon.htm - 8k

Ancient (64 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) One of the senior members of the Inns of Court or of Chancery. 11. (n.)
An ensign or flag. 12. (n.) The bearer of a flag; an ensign. Int. ...
/a/ancient.htm - 98k

Banner (20 Occurrences)
... ban'-er (ENSIGN, STANDARDS): The English word "banner" is from banderia, Low Latin,
meaning a banner (compare bandum, Latin, which meant first a "band," an ...
/b/banner.htm - 18k

Fearing (107 Occurrences)
... Him. (YLT). Psalms 60:4 Thou hast given to those fearing thee an ensign.
To be lifted up as an ensign Because of truth. Selah. (YLT). ...
/f/fearing.htm - 35k

Zionward (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 4:6 Lift up an ensign Zionward, Strengthen yourselves, stand not still,
For evil I am bringing in from the north, And a great destruction. (YLT). ...
/z/zionward.htm - 6k

Union (24 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A device emblematic of union, used on a national flag or ensign, sometimes,
as in the military standard of Great Britain, covering the whole field ...
/u/union.htm - 15k

Openings (27 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 13:2 On a high mountain lift ye up an ensign, Raise the voice to them,
wave the hand, And they go in to the openings of nobles. (YLT). ...
/o/openings.htm - 14k

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