דֶּ֫גֶל (de.gel)
de.gel
standard
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In the wilderness, the Israelites did not wander aimlessly. They moved according to specific standards, or flags, raised for each tribe. This word describes those military banners that marked territory and identity. When God commanded them to encamp by their standards, He was establishing order out of chaos. It shows that our lives are not meant to be random collections of days, but a structured journey under His guidance.
Song of Solomon offers a beautiful shift in this imagery. The beloved says, "His banner over me is love." Here, the standard is no longer about tribal division or military order, but about intimate protection and affection. God’s love becomes the flag that identifies us as His own. We are not just subjects in an army; we are cherished individuals under a banner of grace.
This duality helps us see how God relates to us. He provides the structure we need to find our place, yet He wraps us in a love that is personal and warm. When you feel lost or unmoored, remember that you have a designated place in His camp. You are known, identified, and held by a love that stands firm above all else.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] standard of7×
- to/ standards/ their3×
- standard/ his2×
- and/ standard/ his1×
- [will be] [the] standard of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דֶּ֣גֶל4×
- דֶּ֛גֶל3×
- לְ/דִגְלֵי/הֶם֙1×
- לְ/דִגְלֵי/הֶֽם\׃\ \פ1×
- לְ/דִגְלֵי/הֶֽם\׃\ \ס1×
- וְ/דִגְל֥/וֹ1×
- דֶּ֚גֶל1×
- דִּגְל֤/וֹ1×
- דִּגְל֖/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 2:34
Thus the children of Israel did. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so they encamped by their standards, and so they set out, everyone by their families, according to their fathers’ houses.
This verse summarizes the obedience of Israel, showing that they followed God's command to encamp and travel strictly according to these tribal standards.
-
Song of Solomon 2:4
He brought me to the banquet hall. His banner over me is love.
The metaphor shifts from military order to personal intimacy, describing God's love as a banner raised over the believer for protection and identity.
-
Numbers 10:14
First, the standard of the camp of the children of Judah went forward according to their armies. Nahshon the son of Amminadab was over his army.
This occurrence marks the beginning of the journey, where Judah's standard leads the way, emphasizing that God directs the first steps of our path.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word degel mean?
How is degel different from other words for flag?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (14 verses across 2 books)
Numbers 13 verses
The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, according…
Numbers 2:2“The children of Israel shall encamp every man by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They…
Numbers 2:3“Those who encamp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah, according to their…
Numbers 2:10“On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their divisions. The prince of the children…
Numbers 2:17“Then the Tent of Meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps. As they encamp, so…
Numbers 2:18“On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their divisions. The prince of the children…
Numbers 2:25“On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan according to their divisions. The prince of the children of…
Numbers 2:31“All who were counted of the camp of Dan were one hundred fifty-seven thousand six hundred. They shall set out last by…
Numbers 2:34Thus the children of Israel did. According to all that Yahweh commanded Moses, so they encamped by their standards, and…
Numbers 10:14First, the standard of the camp of the children of Judah went forward according to their armies. Nahshon the son of…
Numbers 10:18The standard of the camp of Reuben went forward according to their armies. Elizur the son of Shedeur was over his army.
Numbers 10:22The standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies. Elishama the son of Ammihud…
Numbers 10:25The standard of the camp of the children of Dan, which was the rear guard of all the camps, set forward according to…