Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BANNER

A flag, emblem, carved image, or streamer attached to a pole. Heb. nēs is connected with military endeavors. It is thus a banner under which individuals gather for battle (Isa. 5:26; Jer. 50:2; 51:12, 27) or celebrate victory (Exod. 17:15; Isa. 11:12). It can also describe an incident that serves as a warning from God (Num. 26:10), and it can be a metaphor of safety for those who trust in God (Ps. 60:4 MT 6). Heb. degel also has military connotations (Ps. 20:5[6]; Cant. 6:4, 10) but is used predominantly to refer to a banner that identified the location of particular tribes as they were camped around Mt. Sinai (Num. 2, 10). It can also describe affection for one’s lover (Cant. 2:4).

No one knows what these banners looked like. Some scholars speculate that the tribes had totem animals (cf. Gen. 49), which might have adorned the banners. Indeed, stone carvings and literary texts indicate that other nations (Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, Persia, and Rome) used banners adorned with animals such as an eagle (the official standard of Rome), wolf, lion, or serpent. In other instances, one finds the image of the national god on the standard (e.g., the Assyrian god Assur drawing a bow).

Rick W. Byargeon

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BANNER

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)