Bible Dictionary
Ensign
An ensign was a visible signal or standard. In Israel it could designate a tribe’s military sign, a larger army division’s standard, or a raised signal on a pole or mountain calling people to gather.
Definition
An ensign was a visible sign, signal, or standard. Scripture distinguishes a tribal sign, a standard for a large division of Israel’s army, and an occasional signal raised on a pole or mountain.
Biblical Usage
Each Israelite tribe had its own sign, while the four major divisions of the host had their standards. A lofty signal could call people to a place of gathering or indicate the approach of an enemy.
Historical Background
The Hebrew terms do not necessarily describe a flag in the modern sense. The standards probably consisted of a figure or device raised on a pole, possibly including sacred emblems, an animal, a boat, or the king’s name.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Heb. ‘oth, a military standard, especially of a single tribe (Num. 2:2). Each separate tribe had its own “sign” or “ensign.” (2.) Heb. nes, a lofty signal, as a column or high pole (Num. 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 (Isa. 5:26; 11:12; 18:3; 62:10; Jer. 4:6, 21; Ps. 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 (Num. 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.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(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; 18:3) degel a military standard for a large division of an army; and oth the same for a small one. Neither of them, however, expresses the idea which “standard” conveys to our minds, viz. 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.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>en'-sin.</p><p>See BANNER.</p>