In biblical times, the term "standards" often referred to banners, flags, or ensigns used by tribes, armies, or groups to signify identity, rally troops, or mark positions. These standards held both practical and symbolic significance, serving as a means of organization and a representation of divine presence and guidance.

Old Testament Usage

1. Tribal Standards in the Wilderness: In the Book of Numbers, God instructed Moses on the arrangement of the Israelite camp during their wilderness journey. Each tribe was to camp by its own standard. 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." These standards helped maintain order and unity among the tribes, each of which had its own unique emblem or banner.

2. Military Standards: Standards were also used in military contexts. They served as rallying points for troops and were often carried into battle. The presence of a standard could inspire courage and confidence among soldiers, as it was seen as a symbol of their cause and divine favor.

3. Symbol of Divine Presence: In some instances, standards were associated with the presence and guidance of God. For example, the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that led the Israelites through the wilderness can be seen as divine standards, representing God's leadership and protection (Exodus 13:21-22).

Symbolism and Prophetic Imagery

1. Prophetic Visions: Standards are used symbolically in prophetic literature to convey messages of warning, judgment, or deliverance. In Isaiah 11:10 , the prophet speaks of a future time when "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." Here, the standard represents the Messiah, who will draw people to Himself and establish a kingdom of peace.

2. Call to Action: Prophets often used the imagery of raising a standard to call God's people to action or repentance. Jeremiah 51:12 declares, "Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon! Reinforce the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambushes. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon." The standard serves as a signal for mobilization and divine intervention.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently mention physical standards, the concept of a standard as a symbol of identity and allegiance is present. Believers are called to uphold the standards of Christ's teachings and to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. Philippians 1:27 exhorts, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel."

Theological Implications

In a broader theological sense, standards represent the call to holiness and the distinct identity of God's people. Just as the Israelites were organized and identified by their tribal standards, Christians are called to be set apart, living according to the standards set by God through His Word. This involves a commitment to righteousness, truth, and the proclamation of the gospel, serving as a living standard or testimony to the world.Standards

The Assyrian standards were emblematic of their religion, and were therefore the more valuable as instruments for leading and guiding men in the army. The forms were imitations of animals (1), emblems of deities (2), and symbols of power and wisdom (3). Many of them were crude, but others were highly artistic and of great cost. The Egyptian standards were designed in the same idea as those of the Romans, exhibiting some sacred emblem (5,6,8), or a god in the form of an animal (3,4), a group of victory (7), or the king's name or his portrait as (1), of lower, and (2) of upper, Egypt, or an emblematic sign, as No. 9.

STANDARDS

stand'-ardz.

See WAR, 5; BANNER; ASTRONOMY, sec. II, 7.

3046. litra -- a pound (in weight, by Rom. standards)
... standards). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: litra Phonetic Spelling:
(lee'-trah) Short Definition: a Roman pound Definition: a Roman pound, of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3046.htm - 6k

1557. ekdikesis -- vengeance, vindication
... 1557 (a feminine noun derived from 1537 , " and " and 1349 , "justice, judge") --
properly, judgment which fully executes the core-values (standards) of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1557.htm - 7k

5098. timoria -- punishment, vengeance
... 5097 , "authorized to administer recompense, punishment") -- punishment, meted out
from the view of the party, emphasizing the value-system (standards) of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5098.htm - 6k

4646. skolios -- curved, winding, hence crooked
... because (like a piece of wood); (figuratively) morally (warped) because lacking
the oil of the Holy Spirit -- hence, to God (His standards); "perverse, unjust ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4646.htm - 7k

2916. krithinos -- of barley
... speaks of a turgid rhetorician as a 'barley orator,' inflated like barley in moisture:
and Livy relates how cohorts which had lost their standards were ordered ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2916.htm - 7k

226. oth -- a sign
... Word Origin from avah Definition a sign NASB Word Usage banners (1), omens (1),
pledge (1), sign (43), signs (30), standards (1), witness (1), wondrous (1). ...
/hebrew/226.htm - 6k

1714. degel -- a standard, banner
... Word Origin from dagal Definition a standard, banner NASB Word Usage banner
(1), standard (10), standards (3). banner, standard. ...
/hebrew/1714.htm - 6k

Standards of Life and Service
Standards of Life and Service. <. Standards of Life and Service
TH Howard. Produced by Curtis Weyant and the Online ...
//christianbookshelf.org/howard/standards of life and service/

The Westminster Standards in America.
... VII. THE WESTMINSTER STANDARDS. 98. The Westminster Standards in America. With
the Puritan emigration from England and the Presbyterian ...
/.../ 98 the westminster standards.htm

Commentaries and Standards on the Birth of Water and Spirit.
... Commentaries and Standards on the Birth of Water and Spirit. Inasmuch as
there is some tendency, in the interest of a modern view ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/commentaries and standards on the.htm

The Liturgical Standards of the Roman Church.
... A HISTORY OF THE CREEDS OF CHRISTENDOM 35. The Liturgical Standards of
the Roman Church. Literature. Missale Romanum, ex decreto ...
/.../ 35 the liturgical standards.htm

The Westminster Standards in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
... VII. THE WESTMINSTER STANDARDS. 99. The Westminster Standards in the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Sources. I. On the part of ...
/.../ 99 the westminster standards.htm

The Doctrinal Standards of the Russo-Greek Church.
... A HISTORY OF THE CREEDS OF CHRISTENDOM 19. The Doctrinal Standards of the
Russo-Greek Church. Literature. I. Russian Doctrine and Theology: ...
/.../ 19 the doctrinal standards.htm

A New Age and New Standards
... THE SOCIAL IDEAL OF JESUS Chapter VI. A New Age And New Standards. As the Kingdom
Comes Ethical Standards Must Advance ... First Day: Living up to the Old Standards. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter vi a new age.htm

Standards of Life and Service
Standards of Life and Service. <. ... Title Page. STANDARDS OF. LIFE AND SERVICE.
BY. COMMISSIONER TH HOWARD. THE SALVATION ARMY BOOK DEPARTMENT. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/howard/standards of life and service/title page.htm

Annas and Caiaphas, Summas and Datam, Gamaliel, Judas, Levi...
... As Jesus, then, was going in, and the standard-bearers bearing the standards, the
heads of the standards were bowed of themselves, and adored Jesus. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 annas and caiaphas.htm

Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and ...
... And Jesus going in, and the standard-bearers holding their standards, the
tops of the standards were bent down, and adored Jesus. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 1 having called a.htm

Standards (14 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia STANDARDS. stand'-ardz. ... II, 7. Multi-Version
Concordance Standards (14 Occurrences). John 8:15 You judge according to the flesh. ...
/s/standards.htm - 11k

Banner (20 Occurrences)
... These standards, of which there were four, were worked with embroidery and beautifully
ornamented (Numbers 1:52; 2:2, 3, 10, 18, 25; Cant. 2:4; 6:4, 10). ...
/b/banner.htm - 18k

Cruelty (8 Occurrences)
... acts on the part of chosen individuals and the elect nation which are marked by
gross cruelty, particularly when measured by the leaders are standards of our ...
/c/cruelty.htm - 16k

Cruel (196 Occurrences)
... acts on the part of chosen individuals and the elect nation which are marked by
gross cruelty, particularly when measured by the leaders are standards of our ...
/c/cruel.htm - 42k

Desolation (131 Occurrences)
... (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Comp. Luke 21:20), is interpreted of the eagles, the
standards of the Roman army, which were an abomination to the Jews. ...
/d/desolation.htm - 46k

Truth (380 Occurrences)
... GENERAL VIEW 1. Aspects of Truth (1) Ontological (2) Logical (3) Moral (4) Religious
2. Standards of Truth 3. Special Features in Biblical Writings III. ...
/t/truth.htm - 57k

157600 (2 Occurrences)
... hundred. They shall set out last by their standards." (See NAS NIV). ... hundred.
They shall set out last by their standards." (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/157600.htm - 6k

Journeyed (111 Occurrences)
... tent of meeting -- the camp of the Levites -- hath journeyed in the midst of the
camps; as they encamp so they journey, each at his station by their standards. ...
/j/journeyed.htm - 33k

Standard (42 Occurrences)
... As they encamp, so shall they set out, every man in his place, by their
standards. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/standard.htm - 21k

Archaeology
... The innumerable literary remains of Egypt and Babylonia reveal methods and standards
very different from each other, and still more different from those of ...
/a/archaeology.htm - 61k

Is there such a thing as absolute truth / universal truth? | GotQuestions.org

What is moral absolutism? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about compromise? | GotQuestions.org

Standards: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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