the Week of Proper 6 / Ordinary 11
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Bible Dictionaries
Ensign
Smith's Bible Dictionary
or Ensign. (Hebrew, nes, in the Authorized Version, generally "ensign," sometimes "standard";
degel "standard," with the exception of Song of Solomon 2:4, "banner;"
oth "ensign").
This distinction between these three Hebrew terms is sufficiently marked by their respective uses.
Nes is a signal, and not a military standard. It is an occasional signal, which was exhibited on the top of a pole from a bare mountain-top, Isaiah 13:2; Isaiah 18:3;
degel is a military standard for a large division of an army; and
oth is a military standard for a small one. Neither of them, however, expresses the idea which "standard" conveys to our minds, namely, A flag.
The standards in use among the Hebrews probably resembled those of the Egyptians and Assyrians - a figure or device of some kind elevated on a pole; usually a sacred emblem, such as an animal, a boat, or the king's name.
These files are public domain.
Smith, William, Dr. Entry for 'Ensign'. Smith's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/sbd/e/ensign.html. 1901.
