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נֵס

𐤍𐤎

nêç

H5251 noun

SILEX Entry

Root נסס to lift up, display, raise

Definition

A conspicuous sign or standard, typically an upright pole or banner, used as a rallying signal, marker, or emblem; by extension, a raised signal for gathering, warning, or focus, whether physical (such as a flag or pole), or metaphorical (a symbol or portent held up for attention). The term may refer concretely to an object raised to be seen from a distance, or figuratively to an event or entity serving as a focal point.

Semantic Range

raised signal, standard, banner, pole, signal post, ensign, rallying standard, sail (as a tall, conspicuous structure), symbol, token, emblem, portent

Root / Etymology

The noun נֵס (nês) derives from the root נָסַס (nāsas), meaning 'to lift up, display, exalt.' The root conveys the idea of raising or lifting something to make it prominent or visible. In this nominal form, נֵס denotes that which is raised or displayed openly, often serving as a rallying point or signal.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, נֵס most commonly refers to a tall, upright signal pole or standard, often erected on a hill or high place as a gathering point for people, especially in military or communal contexts (e.g., Num 21:8–9, Isa 5:26, Isa 13:2). It may bear a flag, banner, or emblem, but can also serve as a bare post for hanging or displaying a signal. Neṣ is also used metaphorically for symbols (of hope, warning, or divine intervention), as in prophetic writings where it becomes a symbol for the rallying of peoples or nations. In rare contexts, it refers to the mast or sail of a ship (Isa 33:23); this usage emphasizes prominence and height more than signaling. Later English translations such as KJV rendered נֵס variously as 'ensign,' 'banner,' or 'standard,' but these do not always convey the term's full range from physical marker to symbolic portent. In several prophetic passages, the raising of a נֵס serves to call or assemble people (Israelites, foreign nations), to warn, or to direct attention. The term is distinct from other banners or flags (such as דֶּגֶל, degel), which more often denote military or tribal flags specific to groups within Israel. Its meaning remained relatively stable from the monarchic through exilic and post-exilic periods, though its metaphorical range increased in later prophetic texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from נָסַס; a flag; also a sail; by implication, a flagstaff; generally a signal; figuratively, a token; banner, pole, sail, (en-) sign, standard.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נסס (n-s-s) — lift up, raise, display, exalt

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3071 יְהֹוָה נִסִּי my banner
H5263 נָסַס the one growing weak
H5264 נָסַס those displaying themselves conspicuously

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5251-04 נֵ֑ס nes HNcmsa a banner raised standard 13
H5251-02 לְ/נֵֽס lenes HR/Ncmsa a sign to a raised standard 3
H5251-05 נִסִּ֑/י nisi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my-banner my raised standard 1
H5251-06 וְ/כַ/נֵּ֖ס vekhanes HC/Rd/Ncmsa and like a banner and like a raised standard 1
H5251-01 הַ/נֵּ֑ס hanes HTd/Ncmsa the pole the raised standard 1
H5251-03 מִ/נֵּ֖ס mines HR/Ncmsa because of the standard from a raised standard 1

Occurrences in Scripture

20 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5251-04 Numbers 21:8 נֵ֑ס nes HNcmsa a pole raised standard
H5251-01 Numbers 21:9 הַ/נֵּ֑ס hanes HTd/Ncmsa the pole the raised standard
H5251-02 Numbers 26:10 לְ/נֵֽס lenes HR/Ncmsa a sign to a raised standard
H5251-04 Isaiah 5:26 נֵ֤ס nes HNcmsa a-standard raised standard
H5251-02 Isaiah 11:10 לְ/נֵ֣ס lenes HR/Ncmsc for a banner to a raised standard
H5251-04 Isaiah 11:12 נֵס֙ nes HNcmsa a signal raised standard
H5251-04 Isaiah 13:2 נֵ֔ס nes HNcmsa banner raised standard
H5251-04 Isaiah 18:3 נֵ֤ס nes HNcmsa a banner raised standard
H5251-06 Isaiah 30:17 וְ/כַ/נֵּ֖ס vekhanes HC/Rd/Ncmsa and like a banner and like a raised standard
H5251-03 Isaiah 31:9 מִ/נֵּ֖ס mines HR/Ncmsa because of the standard from a raised standard
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