King James Bible Dictionary

1. 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 Solomon 2:4; 6:4, 10).

2. 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).

3. 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 (Psalms 60:4; Isaiah 5:26; 11:12; 13:2; 18:3; 30:17; Jeremiah 4:6, 21; Ezekiel 27:7).

4. A "sign of fire" (Jeremiah 6:1) was sometimes used as a signal.

The banners and ensigns of the Roman army had idolatrous images upon them, and hence they are called the "abomination of desolation" (q.v.). 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 setting up or giving a banner (Psalms 20:5; 60:4; Song of Solomon 2:4) imports his presence and protection and aid extended to his people.

Figurative
Psalms 20:5; Psalms 60:4; Song of Solomon 2:4; Song of Solomon 6:4; Isaiah 13:2
Ensign; Standard

[ENSIGN]

BAN'NER, noun [Latin pannus.]

1. A square flag; a military ensign; the principal standard of a prince or state.

2. A streamer borne at the end of a lance or elsewhere.

3. In botany, the upper petal of a papilionaceous corol.

BAN'NERED, adjective Furnished with or bearing banners.

Shield the strong foes, and rake the bannered shore.

BAN'NERET, noun A knight made in the field. Bannerets formerly constituted an order of knights or feudal lords, who led their vassals to battle under their own flags. On the day of battle, the candidates presented their flags to the king or general, who cut off the train or skirt, and made it square. They were then called knights of the square flag. They were a middle order between barons and simple knights.

BAN'NEROL, [See Bandrol.]