In biblical times, signals were often used as a means of communication, conveying messages or instructions across distances. These signals could be visual, such as banners or signs, or auditory, such as trumpets or shouts. The use of signals is evident throughout Scripture, serving both practical and symbolic purposes.

Visual Signals

One of the most common forms of visual signals in the Bible is the use of banners or standards. These were often employed in military contexts to organize and direct troops. In Numbers 2:2, the Israelites are instructed: "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 banners served as a signal for the tribes to assemble and maintain order during their wilderness journey.

Another significant visual signal is the raising of a standard or ensign. In Isaiah 11:12, the prophet speaks of a future gathering of God's people: "He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth." This imagery of a raised banner symbolizes God's call and the unification of His people.

Auditory Signals

Trumpets were a primary means of auditory signaling in biblical times. They were used to announce important events, call assemblies, and signal movements. In Numbers 10:2-3, God commands Moses: "Make two trumpets of hammered silver to be used for calling the congregation and for having the camps set out." The sound of the trumpet was a clear and authoritative signal that could be heard over long distances.

The trumpet also held eschatological significance. In 1 Corinthians 15:52, the Apostle Paul writes about the resurrection: "In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." Here, the trumpet serves as a divine signal marking the culmination of God's redemptive plan.

Symbolic Signals

Signals in the Bible often carry deeper symbolic meanings. The rainbow, for instance, is a divine signal of God's covenant with Noah and all living creatures. In Genesis 9:13, God declares: "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." This signal serves as a perpetual reminder of God's promise never to destroy the earth by flood again.

Similarly, the blood of the Passover lamb served as a signal for the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. In Exodus 12:13, God instructs: "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." The blood was a signal of protection and salvation for God's people.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, signals play a crucial role in communication, organization, and the conveyance of divine messages. Whether through visual or auditory means, these signals often carry profound spiritual significance, pointing to God's guidance, promises, and ultimate plan for His people.1. (n.) A sign made for the purpose of giving notice to a person of some occurrence, command, or danger; also, a sign, event, or watchword, which has been agreed upon as the occasion of concerted action.

2. (n.) A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.

3. (a.) Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of benevolence.

4. (a.) of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.

5. (v. t.) To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.

6. (v. t.) To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to; as, to signal a fleet to anchor.

4953. sussemon -- a fixed sign
... a fixed sign. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: sussemon Phonetic Spelling:
(soos'-say-mon) Short Definition: a signal agreed upon Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4953.htm - 6k

2656. kataneuo -- to make a sign (by nodding the head)
... beckon, signal. From kata and neuo; to nod down (towards), ie (by analogy)
to make signs to -- beckon. see GREEK kata. see GREEK neuo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2656.htm - 6k

2678. kataseio -- to shake
... beckon. From kata and seio; to sway downward, ie Make a signal -- beckon. see
GREEK kata. see GREEK seio. (kataseisas) -- 3 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2678.htm - 6k

3506. neuo -- to nod or beckon (as a sign)
... beckon. Apparently a primary verb; to "nod", ie (by analogy), signal -- beckon.
(neuei) -- 1 Occurrence. (neusantos) -- 1 Occurrence. 3505, 3506. neuo. 3507 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3506.htm - 6k

4536. salpigx -- a trumpet
... people. ["The trumpet was the signal employed to call the hosts of Israel ,
and is common in prophetic imagery (Is 27:13). Cf. The ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4536.htm - 7k

5251. nes -- a standard, ensign, signal, sign
... 5250, 5251. nes. 5252 . a standard, ensign, signal, sign. Transliteration:
nes Phonetic Spelling: (nace) Short Definition: standard. ...
/hebrew/5251.htm - 6k

3104. yobel -- a ram, ram's horn (a wind instrument)
... Or yobel {yob-ale'}; apparently from yabal; the blast of a horn (from its continuous
sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the ...
/hebrew/3104.htm - 6k

4864. maseth -- an uprising, utterance, burden, portion
... burden, portion NASB Word Usage burden (1), cloud (2), gift (1), gifts (2), levy
(2), lifting (1), portion (1), portions (1), present (1), signal (1), tribute ...
/hebrew/4864.htm - 6k

226. oth -- a sign
... Probably from 'uwth (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively),
as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc. ...
/hebrew/226.htm - 6k

4150. moed -- appointed time, place, or meeting
... by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the
congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed ...
/hebrew/4150.htm - 7k

8643. teruah -- a shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy
... joy (1), joyful sound (1), resounding (1), shout (10), shout of alarm (1), shout
of joy (1), shouted (1), shouting (4), shouts of joy (1), signal (1), trumpet ...
/hebrew/8643.htm - 6k

5264. nasas -- perhaps to be high or conspicuous
... A primitive root; to gleam from afar, ie To be conspicuous as a signal; or rather
perhaps a denominative from nec (and identical with nacac, through the idea ...
/hebrew/5264.htm - 6k

The Signal Given.
... Homily III. Chapter XXIX."The Signal Given. While Peter was about to explain
fully to us this mystic word, Zacch??us came, saying ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxix the signal given.htm

Concerning the Signal Chastity of Joseph.
... Twenty Years. From The Death Of Isaac To The Exodus Out Of Egypt. CHAPTER
4. Concerning The Signal Chastity Of Joseph. 1. Now Potiphar ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 concerning the signal.htm

Answer to Objections: Signal Instances of Prayer
... CHAPTER VIII ANSWER TO OBJECTIONS: SIGNAL INSTANCES OF PRAYER. ANSWER TO
OBJECTIONS: SIGNAL INSTANCES OF PRAYER If Jesus prays and ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter viii answer to objections .htm

Treats of Several Ways Whereby Our Lord Quickens the Soul; There ...
... TREATS OF SEVERAL WAYS WHEREBY OUR LORD QUICKENS THE SOUL; THERE APPEARS NO CAUSE
FOR ALARM IN THEM ALTHOUGH THEY ARE SIGNAL FAVOURS OF A VERY EXALTED NATURE. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter ii treats of several.htm

So the Two Armies Drew Nigh; the Trumpets Gave the Signal...
... Chap. XLVII. So the two armies drew nigh; the trumpets gave the signal?
So the two armies drew nigh; the trumpets gave the signal ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xlvii so the two.htm

Waiting on the Lord
... Do not run when the signal is given until the king gives you a special
signal." The three took their places eager for the race. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-two waiting on the.htm

On Mr. Rudyard Kipling and Making the World Small
... The word "signal-box" is unpoetical. But the ... poetry. A signal-box is only
called a signal-box; it is a house of life and death. A ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/iii on mr rudyard kipling.htm

Several Laws.
... When the first of them gave a signal, the heads of the tribes were to assemble,
and consult about the affairs to them properly belonging; but when they gave ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 several laws.htm

On the Effects of the Redemption
... If you place a danger signal on a broken railroad track the effect will be preventing
the wreck of the train, and the cause will be your placing the signal. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 10 on the effects.htm

The Death of Salome. The Cities which Herod and Philip Built. ...
... day Pilate sat upon his tribunal, in the open market-place, and called to him the
multitude, as desirous to give them an answer; and then gave a signal to the ...
/.../chapter 9 the death of.htm

Signal (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; memorable;
as, a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of benevolence. ...
/s/signal.htm - 12k

Ensign (21 Occurrences)
... (2.) Hebrews nes, a lofty signal, as a ... 2. (n.) A signal displayed like a standard,
to give notice. 3. (n.) Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol. ...
/e/ensign.htm - 15k

Wave (65 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To be moved to and fro as a signal. ... 13. (n.) A waving or undulating
motion; a signal made with the hand, a flag, etc. 14. ...
/w/wave.htm - 30k

Whistle (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To form, utter, or modulate by whistling; as, to whistle a tune
or an air. 5. (vt) To send, signal, or call by a whistle. ...
/w/whistle.htm - 9k

Beacon (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A signal fire to notify of the approach
of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning. ...
/b/beacon.htm - 8k

Banner (20 Occurrences)
... (3.) A lofty signal-flag, not carried about, but stationary. ... 27:7). (4.) A
"sign of fire" (Jeremiah 6:1) was sometimes used as a signal. ...
/b/banner.htm - 18k

Barak (14 Occurrences)
... She accompanied him into the battle, and gave the signal for the little army to
make the attack; in which the host of Jabin was completely routed. ...
/b/barak.htm - 14k

Beth-haccherem (2 Occurrences)
... see DB), "place of the vineyard"): A district (in Nehemiah 3:14) ruled over by one,
Malchijah; mentioned in Jeremiah 6:1 as a suitable signal station. ...
/b/beth-haccherem.htm - 8k

Alarm (26 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew word so rendered is derived from a verb meaning "to shout" or "blow a
horn," as a signal for breaking up camp, starting on a journey or into battle ...
/a/alarm.htm - 16k

Tekoa (12 Occurrences)
... In Jeremiah 6:1, we read, "Blow the trumpet in Tekoa and raise a signal in
Beth-haccherim"-because of the enemy advancing from the North. ...
/t/tekoa.htm - 15k

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