banner

• LARGE MARCHING BANNER—the flag or banner of the larger kind, serving for three tribes marching together

  These standards, of which there were four, were worked with embroidery and beautifully ornamented (Numbers 1:52; 2:2-3, 10, 18, 25; Song of Songs 2:4; 6:4, 10).

• TRIBAL MARCHING BANNER—the flag borne by each separate tribe, of a smaller form

  Probably it bore on it the name of the tribe to which it belonged, or some distinguishing device (Numbers 2:2, 34).

• STATIONARY BANNER—a lofty signal-flag, not carried about, but stationary

  It was usually erected on a mountain or other lofty place. As soon as it was seen, the war-trumpets were blown (Psalm 60:4; Isaiah 5:26; 11:12; 13:2; 18:3; 30:17; Jeremiah 4:6, 21; Ezek. 27:7).

• FIRE BANNER—A “sign of fire” (Jeremiah 6:1) was sometimes used as a signal.

• ROMAN BANNERS—The banners and ensigns of the Roman army had idolatrous images upon them, and hence they are called the “abomination of desolation”.

  The principal Roman standard, however, was an eagle. (See Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37, where the Jewish nation is compared to a dead body, which the eagles gather together to devour.)

• GOD’S BANNER—God’s setting up or giving a banner (Psalm 20:5; 60:4; Song of Songs 2:4) imports his presence and protection and aid extended to his people.

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• ensign
• military
• war
• idol
• idolatry
• Rome