Overview
An ensign in biblical terminology is a banner or standard lifted up as a signal. Isaiah uses this imagery to describe God's gathering of His dispersed people and His call to the nations. The ensign represents God's authority, protection, and the visible manifestation of His purposes in history.
Key Scriptures
"He will lift up an ensign for the nations from afar, and will hiss for them from the end of the earth" (Isaiah 5:26, KJV). "In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to it, and his resting place will be glorious" (Isaiah 11:10, NIV). "Lift up a banner toward the walls of Zion!" (Jeremiah 4:6, NASB).
Application
Believers should recognize Jesus Christ as the ultimate ensign toward whom all nations will look, and live in confidence that God's redemptive banner is raised over His people.