Ancient Roman ensign

Answers about the use of…
ensigns in the Bible

An ensign is a flag, banner, or insignia that is displayed as the symbol/identification of a nation, tribe, military division, or any other group. It sometimes has a unique emblems or symbolic images on it, such as an eagle, lion, stag, etc. They may also include words. Ensigns might also be included on shields and armor. They could also be applied to ship sails.

  1. Oth

    Hebrew: אוֹת —transliteration: oth —meaning: sign, emblem, mark, flag —occurrences: 79

    The first appearance of this word is in Genesis.

    Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs [oth] and for seasons and for days and years; —Genesis 1:14

    The word is also applied to Adam’s first son Cain.

    So Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And Yahweh appointed a sign [oth] for Cain, so that no one who found him would strike him. —Genesis 4:15 LSB

    The word oth is generally used for military standard, including a single tribe. Each separate tribe had its own banner or ensign.

    The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own standard [degel], with the banners [oth] of their fathers’ households… —Numbers 2:2 excerpt

    Q & A

  2. nes

    Hebrew: נֵס —transliteration: nes —meaning: standard, ensign, banner, signal, warning, pole, sail

    …He will lift up a standard for the nations… —Isaiah 11:12 excerpt

    A nes is a lofty signal, on a column or high pole (Numbers 21:8-9); or a standard or signal or flag placed on high mountains to point out to the people a place of rendezvous in case of the violent rushing in of an enemy (Isa. 5:26; 11:12; 18:3; 62:10; Jer. 4:6, 21; Psalm 60:4).

    This was an occasional signal, and not a military standard. Elevation and conspicuity are implied in the word.

    During the Exodus, Moses used the word nes for an altar.

    And Moses built an altar and named it Yahweh is My Banner; —Exodus 17:15 LSB

  3. degel

    Hebrew: דֶּגֶל —transliteration: degel —almost always translated as “standard” —occurrences: 14

    The Hebrew word degel denotes the standard given to each of the 4 divisions of the host of the Israelites at the Exodus (Numbers 2:2; 10:14).

    And the sons of Israel shall camp, each man by his own camp, and each man by his own standard [degel], according to their armies. —Numbers 1:52 excerpt

    We have no definite information about the nature of these military standards.

    In the Song of Songs degel is translated as “banner”.

    He has brought me to his house of banqueting,
    And his banner over me is love. —Song of Songs 2:4

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Article Version: February 19, 2026