tribe, in the breastplate of the high-priest; and that the great Standard of each of the four camps combined the three colours of the tribes which composed it. They add, that the names of the tribes appeared on the Standards, together with a particular sentence from the law; and were moreover charged with appropriate representations, as of the lion, for Judah, etc. AbenEzra, and other Rabbins, agree with the Targumists in other respects, but put in other representations than the latter assign. Lastly, the Cabbalists have an opinion that the bearings of the twelve Standards corresponded with the months of the year, and the signs of the Zodiac -the supposed character of the latter being represented thereon; and that the distinction of the great Standards was, that they bore the cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, and were also charged with each one letter of the tetragrammaton, or quadraliteral name of God. Thus much for Rabbinical interpretation. Most modern expositors seem to incline to the opinion that the Ensigns were flags, distinguished by their colours, or by the name of the tribe to which each belonged. This is certainly as probable in itself as anything that can be offered, unless the instances we have given from the early practice of other nations do not lead to the conclusion that flags were not the earliest, but the ultimate, form which Standards assumed. We have, in most instances, seen them preceded by any object that would serve for a distinguishing mark-such as leather aprons, wisps of hay, pieces of armour, and horse-tails: then by metallic symbols and images, combined sometimes with feathers, tassels, and fringes; and then plain or figured flags, of silk or linen. Besides, the

interpretation we have cited is founded on the hypothesis that all sculpture, painting, and other arts of design, were forbidden to the Hebrews; and as we are not quite prepared to admit the existence of such a prohibition, we do not feel absolutely bound, unless on its intrinsic probability, to receive an explanation which takes it for granted.—KITTO.

Banner, Ensign, Standard: colours borne in times of war, for assembling, directing, distinguishing, and encouraging the troops. In the wilderness, every tribe of Israel had its particular Standard; and they were again marshalled by three tribes apiece, under the Standards of Judah, Reuben, Ephraim, and Dan. The Saracens reckoned the giving of a Banner, even by a furious and conquering enemy, a sure pledge of safe protection. God's setting up an Ensign to the Assyrians or others, imports his providential leading them forth to chastise his people, and punish his enemies by war and ravage.d—GURNey.

Ensigns are warlike Banners, monuments, or trophies of victory. "Thine enemies set up their Ensigns for signs." And the prophet Isaiah, threatening the Israelites with an invasion, tells them, that God would “lift up an Ensign to the nations from far." f He would, by his providence, bring the Assyrians, or the Chaldeans against the Jews; he would, as it were, invite them to list themselves under his colours, as generals use to lift up their Standards for the raising of armies. The same

d Isa. v. 26; xviii. 3.

e Ps. lxxiv. 4.

f Isa. v. 26.

prophet says, that "there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an Ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek,” that is, that Christ the Messiah growing upon the root of Jesse, should mount up, and be advanced, by the preaching of the gospel, to a great height, so as to become a visible and eminent Ensign, which the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, may discern; to whom they should repair, by faith, and in whom they should put their trust.

"Thou hast given a Banner to them that feared thee."h An army of men united under one Banner, with ability to defend themselves and conquer their enemies; a Banner being a sign of victory, as well as of battle and union. "His Banner over me was Love."i The Love of Christ displayed, like a Banner, in the gospel, conducted, encouraged, and engaged me to come to him.-CRUDen.

THE LORD MY BANNER.k

Our Banner is the Eternal God,
Nor will we yield to fear:
Amidst ten thousand fierce assaults,

His mighty aid is near.

To him the hands of faith we stretch,
And plead experienced grace;
To him the voice of prayer we raise,
Nor will he hide his face.

g Isa. xi. 10.

h Ps. lx. 4.

i Cant. ii. 4.

k Exod. xvii. 15.

Awake, tremendous Judge! awake,
Our nation's cause to plead;
Nor let thine Israel's foes, and thine,
By wickedness succeed.

Our fainting hands, how soon they droop!
But thou the weak canst raise ;

And in the mount of prayer canst leave
An altar to thy praise.

Doddridge.

Scripture Illustration.

Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi (The Lord my Banner).1

And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own Standard, with the Ensign of their father's house: far off about (Marg reading, over against) the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.

First tribe. On the east side towards the rising of the sun shall they of the Standard of the camp

1 Exod. xvii. 15.

of Judah pitch throughout their armies and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.

Second tribe. And those that do pitch next unto him, shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar.

Third tribe. Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun.

Fourth tribe.- On the south side shall be the Standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.

Fifth tribe. And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

Sixth tribe. Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.

Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp as they encamp, so shall they set forward every man in his place by their Standards.

Seventh tribe.. On the west side shall be the Standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishamah the son of Ammihud.

:

Eighth tribe. And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh : and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.