In biblical literature, the term "standard" often carries a figurative meaning, symbolizing a rallying point, a banner, or a sign of God's presence and guidance. The concept of a standard is deeply rooted in the cultural and military practices of ancient Israel, where banners or standards were used to organize tribes, signal movements, and represent the presence of God among His people.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for standard is often translated as "banner" or "ensign." One of the most notable uses of this term is found in the context of the Israelite camp during their wilderness journey. Numbers 2:2 states, "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 standard served as a symbol of identity and order, ensuring that each tribe knew its place around the central presence of God in the Tabernacle.

The standard also appears in prophetic literature, where it takes on a more symbolic role. In Isaiah 11:10 , the prophet speaks of a future hope: "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious." This passage uses the imagery of a standard to represent the Messiah, who will draw all nations to Himself, serving as a beacon of hope and salvation.

New Testament Application

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "standard" in the same military or tribal sense, the concept is present in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The idea of a standard as a rallying point is reflected in the call to follow Christ. In John 12:32 , Jesus declares, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." Here, the crucifixion of Christ is portrayed as a standard, drawing people to the salvation offered through His sacrifice.

The apostle Paul also alludes to the concept of a standard in his exhortations to the early church. In Philippians 3:14 , he writes, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." The imagery of pressing toward a goal can be seen as pursuing the standard of Christlikeness, which serves as the ultimate aim for believers.

Theological Significance

The figurative use of "standard" in the Bible underscores the importance of identity, unity, and divine guidance. It serves as a reminder of God's presence among His people and His call for them to rally around His purposes. In a spiritual sense, the standard represents the call to holiness and the pursuit of God's kingdom, urging believers to align themselves with His will and to stand firm in their faith.

Throughout Scripture, the standard is a powerful symbol of God's covenant relationship with His people, His promise of redemption, and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. As such, it remains a central theme in the life of the church, calling believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling and to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel.Isaiah 49:22
Thus said the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 62:10
Go through, go through the gates; prepare you the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 4:6
Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
Nave's Topical Index

Christ Teaches that Faith must Prove Itself by Works. (Matt. xxv. ...
... of special value to these acts inconsistent with the standard set up ... in the "throne,"
the "right hand," the "left hand," &c., a figurative drapery, attending ...
/.../section 259 christ teaches that.htm

Sin is Spiritual Slavery
... The term "spiritual" is too often taken to mean unreal, fanciful, figurative. ... Hence
he employs material objects as the ultimate standard, by which he measures ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin is spiritual slavery.htm

The First General Epistle of Peter
... part due to the fact that we have no generally recognized standard of comparison ...
the contents of the Epistle, is now generally given a figurative interpretation ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first general epistle of.htm

Disciples of Christ; Sometimes Called Campbellites, or Reformers.
... behavior of its professors; and all as forming a complete standard of Christian ...
Revelation of Jesus Christ to John, in Patmos, as a figurative and prospective ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/disciples of christ sometimes called.htm

Messiah's Easy Yoke
... From hence the yoke is a figurative expression to denote servitude ... of service of
their own devising, but by accepting His revealed will, as the standard and rule ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xv messiahs easy yoke.htm

The Consolation
... Then their legal figurative constitution would cease, the shadows give place to
the ... judgments of mankind, around us, but from the unerring standard of Scripture ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon i the consolation.htm

Paul's Reasons for Temperance
... light to which he had likened it, and is backing up his figurative statement as
to ... wise heed to our walk is not enough, unless we have a sure standard by which ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/pauls reasons for temperance.htm

The Third Kingdom
... of prophecy was silent in their land, when the Forerunner raised his standard in
the ... It is a canon of interpretation, says Alford, that "a figurative sense of ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the third kingdom.htm

Miller's views on the Second Coming of Christ.
... make good sense; and that in every case where the language is figurative, we must ...
look at and examine these three views by the only rule and standard, the BIBLE ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/millers views on the second.htm

Language of the New Testament. 1 in the Character of the Original ...
... through the medium of language conformed to the classic standard of propriety. ... saints
(for Christians), edification and to edify in a figurative sense, apostle ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiv language of the.htm

What is the Revised Standard Version (RSV)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Christian Standard Bible (CSB)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)? | GotQuestions.org

Standard: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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