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דֶּגֶל

𐤃𐤂𐤋

degel

H1714 noun

SILEX Entry

Root דגל to look, to display conspicuously, to mark

Definition

A banner, standard, or flag—especially a ceremonial or military ensign used to identify, organize, or rally a group, such as a division or tribal unit of the Israelites. 'Degel' denotes a physical emblem that marks position or identity in formal gatherings, notably during encampments or processions in the wilderness narratives. While primarily used for the markers of Israelite tribes, it also carries broader connotations of a rallying point or symbol of collective identity.

Semantic Range

banner, standard, flag, ensign, rallying marker

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root דגל, meaning 'to look, behold, display conspicuously.' The noun form הדֶּגֶל (degel) arises as 'that which is displayed'—thus, a 'banner' or 'standard.' While the root meaning is related to visual display or prominent marking, the word's actual usage almost exclusively designates a specific type of ensign or standard.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, especially within the wilderness narratives of the Torah (notably Numbers 1–4 and 10:14–28), 'דֶּגֶל' signifies the standards or banners under which each division of the Israelites camped and traveled. Each tribal group is associated with a unique 'degel' that functions both as an organizational marker and a symbol of identity. The word does not occur outside these Torah passages, reflecting its specialized, ceremonial use. In contrast to 'אוֹת' (ot, 'sign' or 'banner'), which has a broader semantic range (signs, miracles, insignia), 'degel' focuses on the formal or heraldic standard. In later Hebrew (post-biblical), 'degel' becomes the regular word for a flag. English translations frequently use 'banner' or 'standard.' In post-biblical and modern Hebrew, its meaning broadens to include any flag. The term does not carry the religious or military connotations that sometimes attach to other words ('nes', 'ot'). The later English term 'flag' reflects a broader concept but does not capture the specific Israelite camp context of 'degel.'

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from דָּגַל; a flag; banner, standard.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

דגל (d-g-l) — to look, to display conspicuously, to mark

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1713 דָּגַל banner-raised one

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1714-01 דֶּ֛גֶל degel HNcmsc the standard displayed standard 8
H1714-03 לְ/דִגְלֵי/הֶֽם ledigeleyhem HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp under their standards to their standards 3
H1714-02 דִּגְל֖/וֹ digelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his standard his banner 2
H1714-04 וְ/דִגְל֥/וֹ vedigelo HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms and his banner his banner 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1714-02 Numbers 1:52 דִּגְל֖/וֹ digelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his own standard his banner
H1714-02 Numbers 2:2 דִּגְל֤/וֹ digelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his standard his banner
H1714-01 Numbers 2:3 דֶּ֛גֶל degel HNcmsc the standard displayed standard
H1714-01 Numbers 2:10 דֶּ֣גֶל degel HNcmsc standard displayed standard
H1714-03 Numbers 2:17 לְ/דִגְלֵי/הֶֽם ledigeleyhem HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp under their standards to their standards
H1714-01 Numbers 2:18 דֶּ֣גֶל degel HNcmsc standard displayed standard
H1714-01 Numbers 2:25 דֶּ֣גֶל degel HNcmsc standard displayed standard
H1714-03 Numbers 2:31 לְ/דִגְלֵי/הֶֽם ledigeleyhem HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp under their standards to their standards
H1714-03 Numbers 2:34 לְ/דִגְלֵי/הֶם֙ ledigeleyhem HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp by their banners to their standards
H1714-01 Numbers 10:14 דֶּ֣גֶל degel HNcmsc standard displayed standard
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