from נָסַס; a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token; banner, pole, sail, (en-) sign, standard.
Transliteration:nêç
Pronunciation:nace
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H5251 (נֵס, *nêç*) originates from the verbal root נָסַס (nāsaś), which carries the core meaning of "to lift up," "to set up," or "to be conspicuous." Consequently, נֵס primarily denotes something elevated and visible, serving as a standard, banner, or flag. Its semantic range extends to encompass a signal, a token, or an ensign, implying anything raised for the purpose of identification, rallying, or communication. The less common meaning of "sail" ([[Ezekiel 27:7]]) also aligns with the concept of something lifted high to catch the wind. Fundamentally, נֵס represents a conspicuous object designed to attract attention and convey a message or purpose.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word נֵס appears 20 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in the prophetic books and Exodus. Its usage reveals diverse contexts:
1. **Military and National Standard:** In a military context, נֵס functions as a rallying point or a standard for armies. [[Jeremiah 4:6]] speaks of setting up a נֵס toward Zion, signaling a retreat or a call to arms. Similarly, [[Jeremiah 50:2]] instructs to "set up a standard" against Babylon, indicating a declaration of war. This usage highlights its role in organizing and directing people.
2. **Divine Signal for Gathering or Judgment:** A significant number of occurrences depict God Himself raising a נֵס. This often serves as a divine signal to gather nations for judgment or to summon His scattered people. [[Isaiah 5:26]] describes the Lord raising a נֵס for a distant nation to come swiftly in judgment. [[Isaiah 13:2]] commands to "raise a standard on the bare hill" to summon warriors. Conversely, in [[Isaiah 49:22]], God declares He will "lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my נֵס to the peoples" to bring Israel's sons and daughters back from exile. This demonstrates God's sovereign control over nations and His purposes for His covenant people.
3. **Sign of Salvation and Healing:** Perhaps the most iconic use is in [[Numbers 21:8-9]], where Moses is commanded to make a bronze serpent and set it on a נֵס (pole/standard). Those who looked upon it were healed from the snakebite. Here, the נֵס serves as a visible sign of God's provision for salvation, pointing to faith and obedience.
4. **Yahweh-Nissi (The LORD is my Banner):** In [[Exodus 17:15]], after the victory over Amalek, Moses builds an altar and names it "Yahweh-Nissi," declaring, "The LORD is my Banner." This is a profound theological statement, identifying God Himself as the נֵס—the source of victory, the rallying point, and the visible emblem of His presence and power in the midst of His people.
5. **Messianic נֵס:** [[Isaiah 11:10]] prophesies, "In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a נֵס for the peoples—him shall the nations inquire of, and his resting place shall be glorious." This Messianic prophecy portrays the future King, the descendant of Jesse, as the ultimate standard and rallying point for all humanity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of נֵס is enriched by its relationship to other terms and ideas:
* **Root Verb נָסַס (nāsaś):** The underlying verb emphasizes the act of lifting up or making conspicuous, reinforcing the nature of נֵס as something elevated to be seen.
* **אוֹת (ʾôṯ, `{{H226}}`):** This more general term for "sign" or "token" often refers to a miraculous sign or a covenant sign (e.g., the rainbow, circumcision). While נֵס can function as a sign, it specifically denotes a *visible, raised* sign, often for a collective purpose.
* **מוֹפֵת (môp̄ēṯ, `{{H4159}}`):** Meaning "wonder" or "portent," this term frequently accompanies אוֹת and refers to extraordinary acts, particularly divine ones. נֵס shares the aspect of being a striking, significant display.
* **דֶּגֶל (degel, `{{H1714}}`):** This word also means "standard" or "banner," specifically used for the tribal standards of Israel in the wilderness ([[Numbers 1:52]], [[Numbers 2:2]]). While דֶּגֶל refers to specific, fixed standards for tribal divisions, נֵס often implies a more general, higher, or divinely raised standard, sometimes for a broader, international purpose. נֵס can be a signal *to* nations, whereas דֶּגֶל is a standard *for* a specific group.
* **Concepts of Divine Sovereignty and Leadership:** The frequent portrayal of God raising a נֵס underscores His ultimate authority and His active role in directing human history and the destiny of nations.
* **Gathering and Restoration:** The נֵס serves as a powerful symbol of God's intention to gather His scattered people and bring them back to their land, often in the context of future restoration.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of נֵס is profound and multifaceted:
1. **God as the Ultimate Rallying Point:** The declaration "Yahweh-Nissi" in [[Exodus 17:15]] is a foundational theological statement. It asserts that God Himself is the Banner—the visible, supreme standard around whom His people gather for identity, protection, and victory. He is not merely *with* them; He *is* their distinguishing mark and their source of strength in spiritual warfare.
2. **Divine Revelation and Purpose:** The very nature of a נֵס as something elevated and conspicuous speaks to God's clear and public revelation of His will and purposes. When God raises a נֵס, it is a visible declaration of His intent, whether for judgment, salvation, or the gathering of His people. It signifies that God is actively engaged in history, making His plans known.
3. **Salvation through Faith:** The bronze serpent on the נֵס in [[Numbers 21:8-9]] provides a powerful prefigurement of Christ. Just as looking to the raised serpent brought physical healing, so looking to the crucified Christ brings spiritual healing and eternal life ([[John 3:14-15]]). The נֵס becomes a symbol of God's counter-intuitive means of salvation—through a seemingly cursed object (the serpent) or a despised one (the crucified Messiah).
4. **Messianic Hope:** The prophecy in [[Isaiah 11:10]] of the "root of Jesse" standing as a נֵס for the peoples is central to eschatological hope. It points to the Messiah as the ultimate, universal banner to whom all nations will turn. He is the divine signal that draws humanity to God's kingdom, embodying God's final redemptive act and establishing a new era of peace and righteousness.
5. **Divine Summons and Judgment:** The נֵס also serves as a symbol of God's authority to summon nations, whether for their own judgment or to execute His will upon others. This highlights God's sovereign control over all of creation and His justice.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5251 (נֵס, *nêç*) primarily denotes a raised standard, banner, or signal, stemming from the idea of being lifted up or made conspicuous. Its biblical occurrences reveal its use as a military standard, a divine signal for gathering or judgment, and profoundly, as a symbol of salvation and divine presence. Key theological insights derive from Moses' declaration of "Yahweh-Nissi"—the LORD is my Banner—signifying God as the ultimate source of victory and the rallying point for His people. Furthermore, the נֵס of the bronze serpent prefigures Christ's redemptive work, and the Messianic נֵס in Isaiah points to the future King as the universal standard to whom all nations will look. In essence, נֵס encapsulates the visible, active, and sovereign presence of God, His redemptive purposes, and His ultimate authority over all creation.
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