Lexical Summary nes: Banner, standard, ensign, signal Original Word: נֵס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance banner, pole, sail, ensign, standard From nacac; a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token -- banner, pole, sail, (en-)sign, standard. see HEBREW nacac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nasas Definition a standard, ensign, signal, sign NASB Translation banner (2), distinguishing mark (1), sail (1), signal (4), standard (12), warning (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נֵס noun [masculine] standard, ensign, signal, sign (Late Hebrew id., flag, usually sign, i.e. miracle; ᵑ7 נֵס, נִסָּא sign, miracle); — ׳נ absolute Numbers 21:8 +; construct Isaiah 11:10; suffix נִסִּי Exodus 17:15; Isaiah 49:22; — 1. a. standard, as rallying-point, נִסִּי ׳י Exodus 17:15 (E), ׳י my standard (name of altar); conspicuously set on hill Isaiah 30:17 (simile of solitariness; "" תֹּרֶן עַלרֿאֹשׁ הָהָר); signal of war [see SchumacherZPV ix. 232, Across the Jordan, 104 f.] (especially to the nations, for destruction or deliverance of Judah, Isaiah Jeremiah), לַגּוֺיִם ׳נָשָׂא נ Isaiah 5:26; Isaiah 11:12; compare Isaiah 18:3 (on mountains, "" תָּקַע שׁוֺפָר); אֶלעַֿמִּים ׳אָרִים נ Isaiah 49:22 ("" אֶשָּׂא אֶלגּֿוֺיִם יָדִי), — in all these subject ׳י; compare עֹמֵד לְנֵס עַמִּים Isaiah 10:11 (of Messianic king); ׳שְׂאוּ נ Isaiah 13:2 (on mountain), Jeremiah 50:2; Jeremiah 51:12 (with אֶלֿ against), Jeremiah 51:27 ("" תִּקְעוּ שׁוֺפָר בַּגּוֺיִם), עַלעַֿמִּים ׳הָרִימוּ נ Isaiah 62:10, compare Jeremiah 4:21 ("" קוֺל שׁוֺפָר); לְהִתְנוֺסֵס ׳נָתַתָּהנ֗֗֗ Psalm 60:6 thou hast set a standard (only) for fleeing. b. signal, צִיּ֫וֺנָה ׳שְׂאוּ נ Jeremiah 4:6 (i.e. to direct refugees to Zion). 2 standard, as pole, supporting serpent of bronze Numbers 21:8,9 (JE). 3. a. ensign, signal, שֵׁשׁמִ֗֗֗מִּצְרַיִם הָיָה מִפְרָשֵׁךְ לִהְיוֺת לָךְ לְנֵס Ezekiel 27:7 byssus from Egypt was thy sail, to serve thee for an ensign (so DaToy; on lack of pennon on ancient ships see Co; > strike out Co Berthol); so b. (since sails were the only ensign) = sail Isaiah 33:23 (Che Di and others; > pennon Ges Hi Ew De Du). 4 sign (compare Late Hebrew) = warning Numbers 26:10 (P). Topical Lexicon Imagery and Essential Idea נֵס is consistently portrayed as an elevated signal—something lifted high so that it becomes visible and directive. Whether formed of wood, cloth, or metal, its primary purpose is to rally, warn, or symbolize victory and protection. Covenant Victory and Worship (Exodus 17:15; Psalm 60:4) After the defeat of Amalek, “Moses built an altar and called it, ‘The LORD Is My Banner’” (Exodus 17:15). The raised staff, earlier stretched out in prayer, is memorialized as a perpetual reminder that triumph belongs to the LORD. Psalm 60:4 echoes the same confidence: “You have raised a banner for those who fear You, that it may be displayed against the archers.” In worship, נֵס therefore marks the meeting point of human weakness and divine strength, inviting believers to stand beneath the LORD’s emblem for refuge and renewed courage. Healing and Foreshadowing of the Messiah (Numbers 21:8-9) When venomous serpents struck Israel, the LORD commanded, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live” (Numbers 21:8). The bronze serpent lifted on the נֵס functions both as immediate physical deliverance and as typology. Jesus appropriates this image in John 3:14-15, revealing that His own lifting up would grant eternal life to faith-filled beholders. Thus נֵס prefigures the crucifixion, demonstrating that salvation is granted through looking in faith to God’s appointed provision. Prophetic Rallying Point for the Nations (Isaiah 11:10-12; Isaiah 49:22) Isaiah sees a future day when “the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples” (Isaiah 11:10). The Messiah Himself becomes the נֵס—an unmistakable rallying point drawing Gentiles and the dispersed of Israel into one redeemed community. Isaiah 49:22 extends the picture: “I will lift up My hand to the nations and raise My banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms.” Mission, restoration, and worldwide ingathering converge under the Messianic banner. Signals of Judgment and Warning (Isaiah 5:26; Isaiah 13:2; Jeremiah 4:6, 21; Jeremiah 51:12, 27) The same symbol that gathers the faithful also summons instruments of judgment. Isaiah 5:26 warns, “He lifts up a banner for distant nations…” to chastise Judah’s rebellion. Jeremiah repeatedly commands, “Raise a banner toward Zion,” calling inhabitants to flee disaster (Jeremiah 4:6). In Jeremiah 51, banners direct armies against Babylon, proving that no empire is immune to divine reckoning. נֵס therefore reminds every generation that the LORD’s sovereignty encompasses both mercy and wrath. National Identity and Military Organization (Numbers 26:10; Isaiah 31:9; Isaiah 33:23) Within the wilderness census, banners identified tribal groupings and facilitated orderly movement. Later prophets portray besieged Jerusalem watching enemy standards advancing. The banner thus functions on both sides of conflict: organizing covenant people and exposing their vulnerability when they abandon covenant faithfulness. Maritime and Commercial Usage (Ezekiel 27:7) In the oracle over Tyre, “Fine embroidered linen from Egypt was your sail…” (Ezekiel 27:7). Though different in setting, the sail functions as an ensign advertising Tyre’s grandeur, illustrating how נֵס could describe any conspicuous cloth that signals identity or status. Eschatological Triumph (Isaiah 62:10) “Raise a banner for the nations. Proclaim to the ends of the earth, ‘Say to Daughter Zion, See, your Savior comes!’” (adapted from Isaiah 62:10-11). The last word concerning נֵס is one of consummated hope: the banner heralds the Savior’s arrival, clearing the highway for redeemed pilgrims to enter the Holy City. Ministry Implications 1. Proclamation: Like the elevated bronze serpent, Christ crucified must be publicly, plainly set forth (Galatians 3:1). In Scripture, נֵס is never a mere ornament. It is an elevated testimony—sometimes reassuring, sometimes alarming, always pointing beyond itself to the majesty, authority, and saving purpose of the LORD. Forms and Transliterations הַנֵּ֑ס הנס וְכַנֵּ֖ס וכנס לְנֵ֑ס לְנֵ֣ס לְנֵֽס׃ לנס לנס׃ מִנֵּ֖ס מנס נִסִּ֑י נִסִּֽי׃ נֵ֑ס נֵ֔ס נֵ֖ס נֵ֗ס נֵ֣ס נֵ֤ס נֵּ֑ס נֵּ֭ס נֵס֙ נס נסי נסי׃ han·nês hanNes hannês lə·nês leNes lənês min·nês minNes minnês Nes nês nis·sî nisSi nissî vechanNes wə·ḵan·nês wəḵannêsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 17:15 HEB: שְׁמ֖וֹ יְהוָ֥ה ׀ נִסִּֽי׃ NAS: and named it The LORD is My Banner; INT: the name the LORD is my Banner Numbers 21:8 Numbers 21:9 Numbers 26:10 Psalm 60:4 Isaiah 5:26 Isaiah 11:10 Isaiah 11:12 Isaiah 13:2 Isaiah 18:3 Isaiah 30:17 Isaiah 31:9 Isaiah 33:23 Isaiah 49:22 Isaiah 62:10 Jeremiah 4:6 Jeremiah 4:21 Jeremiah 50:2 Jeremiah 51:12 Jeremiah 51:27 Ezekiel 27:7 21 Occurrences |
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