Holy Royal Arch - Revision history

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Sabine: /* Terminology */

2023-10-23T08:33:05Z

Terminology

Sabine: /* Terminology */

2023-10-23T08:29:15Z

Terminology

Sabine: /* Terminology */

2023-10-23T07:41:04Z

Terminology

Sabine: /* The Four Veils and The Tetramorph: The Four Holy Living Creatures */

2023-10-23T07:05:33Z

The Four Veils and The Tetramorph: The Four Holy Living Creatures

Sabine: /* The Four Veils and The Tetramorph: The Four Holy Living Creatures */

2023-10-23T07:03:24Z

The Four Veils and The Tetramorph: The Four Holy Living Creatures

Sabine: /* The Banners */

2023-10-20T09:11:42Z

The Banners

Sabine: /* The Banners */

2023-10-20T09:07:41Z

The Banners

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:52, 15 August 2026
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	The story was elucidated in the non-canonical [[Gospel of Nicodemis]].		The story was elucidated in the non-canonical [[Gospel of Nicodemis]].
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	[[Category:Royal Arch Masonry]]		[[Category:Royal Arch Masonry]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:36, 15 August 2026
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	The story was elucidated in the non-canonical [[Gospel of Nicodemis]].		The story was elucidated in the non-canonical [[Gospel of Nicodemis]].

−	[[Category:~~Degrees and Orders~~]]	+	[[Category:Royal Arch Masonry]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:21, 15 August 2026
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	The story was elucidated in the non-canonical [[Gospel of Nicodemis]].		The story was elucidated in the non-canonical [[Gospel of Nicodemis]].
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		+	[[Category:Degrees and Orders]]

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 ::::: '''Treasurer – the Financial Officer or banker of the Chapter.'''
-::::: The role finds biblical reference in '''Nehemiah 13:13''' "And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren." There is mention that Judas carried gold for Jesus and therefore was their Treasurer. Remember '''Matthew 6:21''' "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
+::::: The role finds biblical reference in '''Nehemiah 13:13''' ''"And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren."'' There is mention that Judas carried gold for Jesus and therefore was their Treasurer. Remember '''Matthew 6:21''', ''"where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."''
 ::::: '''Director of Ceremonies'''
@@ Line 210: / Line 210: @@
 ::::: '''Principal Sojourner'''
-::::: The Principal Sojourner prepares new candidates for admission and collaborates with the three Principals during ceremonies. The term "sojourner" carries historical significance, as it once referred to individuals who came from outside to Sojourn (spend days) in the company of companions and assist in their labours. Originally played an important role in the restoration of the Israelites to Jerusalem. '''Number 35:15''' These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there.
+::::: The Principal Sojourner prepares new candidates for admission and collaborates with the three Principals during ceremonies. The term "sojourner" carries historical significance, as it once referred to individuals who came from outside to Sojourn (spend days) in the company of companions and assist in their labours. Originally, they played an important role in the restoration of the Israelites to Jerusalem. '''Number 35:15''' ''These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there.''
 ::::: '''1<sup>st</sup> Assistant Sojourner & 2<sup>nd</sup> Assistant Sojourner'''

@@ Line 180: / Line 180: @@
 == Terminology ==
-Once accepted into a Holy Royal Arch Chapter, the candidate earns the title of "Companion," and the Chapter's gatherings are referred to as "convocations."  The ceremony that elevates a candidate to the rank of Companion is known as "Exaltation." Royal Arch Chapters are governed by three Principals, who collectively preside over the Chapter, holding their seats together in the east of the assembly.
+Upon acceptance into a Holy Royal Arch Chapter, the candidate earns the title of "Companion," and the Chapter's gatherings are referred to as "convocations."  The ceremony that elevates a candidate to the rank of Companion is known as "Exaltation." Royal Arch Chapters are governed by three Principals. These Principals collectively preside over the Chapter and hold their seats together in the east of the assembly.
-In addition to the three Principals who share governance, a Royal Arch Chapter features elected and appointed officers, each with distinct responsibilities within the Chapter.
+In addition to the three Principals who collectively share governance, a Royal Arch Chapter also includes elected and appointed officers. Each officer holds specific responsibilities within the Chapter.
 These officers include:
 ::::: '''Zerubbabel – Prince of Jerusalem'''
-::::: Zerubbabel was a governor of the Achaemenid Empire's province, Yehud Medinata, and the grandson of Jeconiah, the penultimate king of Judah. Zerubbabel led the first group of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from Babylonian captivity in the first year of Cyrus the Great, the king of the Achaemenid Empire. The date is generally thought to have been around 520 BC. Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem soon after.
+::::: Zerubbabel was a governor of the Achaemenid Empire's province, Yehud Medinata, and the grandson of Jeconiah, the penultimate king of Judah. Zerubbabel led the first group of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from Babylonian captivity in the first year of Cyrus the Great, the king of the Achaemenid Empire. The date is generally thought to have been around 520 BC. Soon after, Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
 ::::: '''Haggai – the Prophet'''
-::::: Haggai (His name means "my holidays") was a Hebrew prophet during the building of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, one of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible, and the author of the Book of Haggai. He is known for his prophecy in 520 BCE, commanding the Jews to rebuild the Temple. He was the first of three post-exile prophets from the Neo-Babylonian Exile of the House of Judah (with Zechariah, his contemporary, and Malachi, who lived about one hundred years later) who belonged to the period of Jewish history which began after the return from captivity in Babylon.
+::::: Haggai, whose name means "my holidays," was a Hebrew prophet who lived during the building of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. He is one of the twelve minor prophets mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and is credited as the author of the Book of Haggai. He gained recognition for his prophecy in 520 BCE, where he commanded the Jews to rebuild the Temple. He was one of three prophets who emerged after the Neo-Babylonian Exile of the House of Judah. The other two prophets were Zechariah, who lived during the same time, and Malachi, who lived about a hundred years later. These prophets were part of the period of Jewish history that followed the return from captivity in Babylon.
 ::::: '''Joshua or Jeshua – the High Priest'''
-::::: Joshua, also known as Yeshua, was the first High Priest chosen for overseeing the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple after the Jews returned from Babylonian Captivity. (See Zechariah 6:9–14 and Ezra 3 in the Bible.)
+::::: Joshua, who was also known as Yeshua, was appointed as the first High Priest responsible for supervising the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple following the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity. (See Zechariah 6:9–14 and Ezra 3 in the Bible.)
 ::::: '''Scribe Ezra'''
-::::: Ezra (480–440 BCE), also called Ezra the Scribe and Ezra the Priest in the Book of Ezra, was a Jewish scribe and priest. According to the Hebrew Bible, he was a descendant of Sraya, the last High Priest to serve in the First Temple, and a close relative of Joshua, the first High Priest of the Second Temple.
+::::: Ezra (480–440 BCE), also known as Ezra the Scribe and Ezra the Priest in the Book of Ezra, was a Jewish scribe and priest. According to the Hebrew Bible, he was a descendant of Sraya, who was the last High Priest to serve in the First Temple. He was also a close relative of Joshua, who was the first High Priest of the Second Temple.
 ::::: '''Scribe Nehemiah'''
-::::: Nehemiah is the central figure of the Book of Nehemiah, which narrates his work in rebuilding Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. He served as the governor of Persian Judea under Artaxerxes I of Persia (465–424 BC). In Hebrew, Nehemiah's name means "Yah comforts," and most scholars consider him a genuine historical figure, particularly the portions of the Nehemiah Memoir that are in the first person.
+::::: Nehemiah is the central figure of the Book of Nehemiah, which narrates his work in rebuilding Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. He served as the governor of Persian Judea under the reign of Artaxerxes I of Persia (465–424 BC). In Hebrew, Nehemiah's name means "Yah comforts," and many scholars widely regard him as a genuine historical figure, particularly the portions of the Nehemiah Memoir that are written in the first person.
 ::::: '''Treasurer – the Financial Officer or banker of the Chapter.'''

@@ Line 180: / Line 180: @@
 == Terminology ==
-Once accepted into a Holy Royal Arch Chapter, the candidate attains the title of "Companion," and the gatherings of the Chapter are referred to as "convocations." The ceremony that elevates a candidate to the rank of Companion is known as "Exaltation." Royal Arch Chapters are governed by three Principals, who collectively preside over the Chapter, sitting together in the east of the assembly.
+Once accepted into a Holy Royal Arch Chapter, the candidate earns the title of "Companion," and the Chapter's gatherings are referred to as "convocations."  The ceremony that elevates a candidate to the rank of Companion is known as "Exaltation." Royal Arch Chapters are governed by three Principals, who collectively preside over the Chapter, holding their seats together in the east of the assembly.
-In addition to the three Principals, who rule conjointly, a Royal Arch Chapter has elected and appointed officers with individual responsibilities within the Chapter.
+In addition to the three Principals who share governance, a Royal Arch Chapter features elected and appointed officers, each with distinct responsibilities within the Chapter.
-These are:
+These officers include:
 ::::: '''Zerubbabel – Prince of Jerusalem'''
@@ Line 193: / Line 193: @@
 ::::: '''Joshua or Jeshua – the High Priest'''
-::::: Biblically, Joshua (or Yeshua) the High Priest was the first person chosen to be the High Priest for the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple after the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity (See '''Zechariah 6:9–14''' and '''Ezra 3''' in the Bible).
+::::: Joshua, also known as Yeshua, was the first High Priest chosen for overseeing the reconstruction of the Jewish Temple after the Jews returned from Babylonian Captivity. (See Zechariah 6:9–14 and Ezra 3 in the Bible.)
 ::::: '''Scribe Ezra'''
@@ Line 199: / Line 199: @@
 ::::: '''Scribe Nehemiah'''
-::::: Nehemiah is the central figure of the Book of Nehemiah, which describes his work in rebuilding Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. He was governor of Persian Judea under Artaxerxes I of Persia (465–424 BC). In Hebrew, the name means "Yah comforts". Most scholars believe Nehemiah was a real historical figure and that the Nehemiah Memoir, a name given by scholars to certain portions of the book written in the first person, is historically reliable.
+::::: Nehemiah is the central figure of the Book of Nehemiah, which narrates his work in rebuilding Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. He served as the governor of Persian Judea under Artaxerxes I of Persia (465–424 BC). In Hebrew, Nehemiah's name means "Yah comforts," and most scholars consider him a genuine historical figure, particularly the portions of the Nehemiah Memoir that are in the first person.
-::::: '''Treasurer – is the Financial Officer or banker of the Chapter.'''
+::::: '''Treasurer – the Financial Officer or banker of the Chapter.'''
-::::: '''Nehemiah 13:13''' "And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren." There is mention that Judas carried gold for Jesus and therefore was their Treasurer. Remember '''Matthew 6:21''' "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
+::::: '''Director of Ceremonies'''
 ::::: '''Principal Sojourner'''
-::::: To prepare any new candidate for admission, and to work with the three Principals in the ceremony. They are someone who Came from outside and requested to Sojourn (spend days) in the company of companions and assist in their labours. originally played an important role in the restoration of the Israelites to Jerusalem.
+::::: '''1<sup>st</sup> Assistant Sojourner & 2<sup>nd</sup> Assistant Sojourner'''
-::::: '''Number 35:15''' These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there.
+::::: These individuals work alongside the Principal Sojourner to support candidates and assist in ceremonies.
 ::::: '''Assistant Director of Ceremonies'''
 ::::: '''Organist'''
-::::: '''Steward (there may be several Stewards)'''
+::::: The Organist contributes to the auditory aspects of Chapter meetings, adding a harmonious dimension to the proceedings.
 ::::: '''Janitor'''
 ==V.I.T.R.I.O.L. and Alchemy==

@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 ''In this scenario, we see another pattern. The Triple Tau is the Central Source or Reconciler, next to which come first the active elements (Man—Air towards the North, Lion—Fire towards the South), followed by the passive elements. Each pair of Active and Passive denotes a principle. According to some analysis, we can see YH (meaning Fire and Water) being the Celestial Principle, which according to the Qabbalah can correspond to Chokmah and Binah and form a horizontal unity, and VH, which we can see as Tiphareth (as the Centre of Ruach) and Malkuth, being the vertical axis.''
 ''Based on both ways, the Triple Tau acts as the Uniting Principle of the Opposites. On the first, it takes the two passive elements and unites them with the active ones; on the second, it unites the mundane with the divine.''
-''This forms a cross and symbolise YeHeShVaH.''
+''This forms a cross and symbolises YeHeShVaH.''
 '''The elements of the Christian tetramorph first appear in the vision of Ezekiel, who describes the four creatures as they appear to him in a vision:'''

@@ Line 98: / Line 98: @@
 |}
-''The Four Veils (Banners at the Eastern end of the Chapter) also allude to the Four Gospels of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.''
+''The Four Veils (Banners at the Eastern End of the Chapter) also allude to the Four Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.''
 ''1) When we see them as:''
-''Ox - Earth, Man - Water, Triple Tau, Lion - Fire, Eagle - Air.''
+''Ox—Earth; Man—Water; Triple Tau, Lion—Fire; Eagle—Air.''
-''The first thing that reminds me is pairing the passive elements on one side and the active ones on the other.
+''The first thing that reminds me is to pair the passive elements on one side and the active ones on the other. This sequence is also found on the 38<sup>th</sup> degree (or 12<sup>th</sup> on Yarker's reduced rite) of Memphis-Misraim, as well as the first degree of the Italian Misraim-Misraim as formed by the Grand Sanctuary of Adriatique.''
-This sequence is also found on the 38th degree (or 12th on Yarker's reduced rite) of Memphis - Misraim, as well as the first degree of the Italian Misraim - Memphis as formed by the Grand Sanctuary of Adriatique.''
+''They represent the four degrees that are represented in the Arcana Arcanorum (87°–90°), and a simplified way to explain it would be that we start from the void and formless earth, represented also by the chamber of reflections. Then follows water, and as an extension, nature and life. Then comes the fiery spiritual world, and last comes the divine purity and unity, represented by air.''
-''They represent the four degrees that are represented in the Arcana Arcanorum (87°-90°), where a simplified way to explain it would be that we start from the void and formless earth, represented also by the chamber of reflections. Then follows water and as an extension nature and life. Then comes the fiery spiritual world, and last comes the divine purity and unity, represented by air.''
+''If we consider the microcosmic attribution of the elements, they can also represent the path of the initiate, starting from the darkest part of the Temple, the North, and following an anti-clockwise path towards the East (meaning from north—Earth, to West—Water, South—Fire, and reaching east—Air).''
-''If we consider the microcosmic attribution of the elements, they can also represent the path of the initiate starting from the darkest part of the Temple, the North, and following an anti-clockwise path towards the East (meaning From North - Earth, to West - Water, South - Fire, and reaching East - Air).''
 ''2) If we see them as:''
-''Ox - Earth, Man - Air, Triple Tau, Lion - Fire, Eagle - Water.''
+''Ox—Earth, Man—Air, Triple Tau, Lion—Fire, Eagle—Water.''
-''In this scenario, we see another pattern. The Triple Tau as the Central Source or Reconciler, next to which come first the active elements (Man - Air towards the North, Lion - Fire towards the South), followed by the passive elements. Each pair of Active & Passive denotes a principle. According to some analysis we can see YH (meaning Fire & Water) being the Celestial Principle, which according to the Qabbalah can correspond to Chokmah and Binah and forms a horizontal unity, and VH, which we can see as Tiphareth (as the Centre of Ruach) and Malkuth, being the vertical axis.''
+''In this scenario, we see another pattern. The Triple Tau is the Central Source or Reconciler, next to which come first the active elements (Man—Air towards the North, Lion—Fire towards the South), followed by the passive elements. Each pair of Active and Passive denotes a principle. According to some analysis, we can see YH (meaning Fire and Water) being the Celestial Principle, which according to the Qabbalah can correspond to Chokmah and Binah and form a horizontal unity, and VH, which we can see as Tiphareth (as the Centre of Ruach) and Malkuth, being the vertical axis.''
-''Based on both ways, the Triple Tau acts as the Uniting Principle of the Opposites. One the first it takes the two passive elements and unites them with the active ones, on the second it unites the mundane with the divine.''
+''Based on both ways, the Triple Tau acts as the Uniting Principle of the Opposites. On the first, it takes the two passive elements and unites them with the active ones; on the second, it unites the mundane with the divine.''
-''This, as you mentioned, forms a cross and is the symbol of YeHeShVaH.''"
+''This forms a cross and symbolise YeHeShVaH.''
 '''The elements of the Christian tetramorph first appear in the vision of Ezekiel, who describes the four creatures as they appear to him in a vision:'''

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 ===The Banners===
-In practice, the colours of the banners vary widely across lodges and their suppliers. The following information is sourced from a variety of places by Michael Jenkyns, (Kitchener No. 210 GRC) including the King James Bible and Duncan's Ritual:
+In practice, the colours of the banners vary widely across lodges and their suppliers. The following information is sourced from a variety of places by Michael Jenkyns (Kitchener No. 210 GRC), including the King James Bible and Duncan's Ritual:
 :::*'''Judah''' - Crimson colour with a Lion. Genesis 49:9 “''Judah is a lion’s whelp''.” {The Jewish people are descended from Judah.} (Banner 1)

@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 In practice, the colours of the banners vary widely across lodges and their suppliers. The following information is sourced from a variety of places by Michael Jenkyns, (Kitchener No. 210 GRC) including the King James Bible and Duncan's Ritual:
-:::*'''Judah''' - Crimson colour with a Lion. Genesis Ch 49 v 9 “''Judah is a lion’s whelp''.” (Banner 1) {The Jewish people are descended from Judah.}
+:::*'''Judah''' - Crimson colour with a Lion. Genesis 49:9 “''Judah is a lion’s whelp''.” {The Jewish people are descended from Judah.} (Banner 1)
-:::*'''Naphtali''' - Blue colour with “a hind let loose”. Genesis Ch 49 v 21 “''Naphtali is a hind let loose that bears comely fawns''.” (Banner 2)
+:::*'''Naphtali''' - Blue colour with “a hind let loose”. Genesis 49:21 “''Naphtali is a hind let loose that bears comely fawns''.” (Banner 2)
-:::*'''Asher''' - Purple and an overflowing cup. Genesis Ch 49 v 21 “''Asher’s food shall be rich and he shall yield royal dainties''.” Jewish tradition holds that Asher’s banner depicted an olive tree. Both can be considered as depicting “gastronomic richness”. (Banner 3)
+:::*'''Asher''' - Purple and an overflowing cup. Genesis 49:20 “''Asher’s food shall be rich and he shall yield royal dainties''.” Jewish tradition holds that Asher’s banner depicted an olive tree. Both can be considered as depicting “gastronomic richness”. (Banner 3)
-:::*'''Dan''' - Green with a serpent biting a horse’s heel. Genesis Ch 49 v 17 “''Dan shall be a serpent in the roadway. . . that bites the horses heels so that its rider falls backward''.” There is no Jewish tradition linking the symbol of the Eagle with Dan - the symbol was always a serpent. (Banner 4)
+:::*'''Dan''' - Green with a serpent biting a horse’s heel. Genesis 49:17 “''Dan shall be a serpent in the roadway... that bites the horses heels so that its rider falls backward''.” There is no Jewish tradition linking the symbol of the Eagle with Dan - the symbol was always a serpent. (Banner 4)
-:::*'''Benjamin''' - Green with a wolf. Genesis Ch 49 v 27 “''Benjamin is a ravenous wolf...devouring the prey.''” (Banner 5)
+:::*'''Benjamin''' - Green with a wolf. Genesis 49:27  “''Benjamin is a ravenous wolf...devouring the prey.''” (Banner 5)
-:::*'''Manasseh''' - Pale Pink with a vine beside a wall. In Genesis Ch 41:51, “''Joseph called the name of the first-born Manasseh for he said God has made me forget all my hardship''." In Deuteronomy, Manasseh played a significant role in the history of Israel. The Christian description of a “''fruitful vine near a spring whose branches climb over a wall''” was appropriated for Manasseh. Jewish tradition holds that Manasseh’s banner displayed a unicorn. (Banner 6)
+:::*'''Manasseh''' - Pale Pink with a vine beside a wall. In Genesis 41:51 “''Joseph called the name of the first-born Manasseh for he said God has made me forget all my hardship''." In Deuteronomy, Manasseh played a significant role in the history of Israel. The Christian description of a “''fruitful vine near a spring whose branches climb over a wall''” was appropriated for Manasseh. Jewish tradition holds that Manasseh’s banner displayed a unicorn. (Banner 6)
-:::*'''Issachar''' - Sky Blue with an ass crouching between two burdens. Genesis Ch 49 v 14 “''Issachar is a strong ass crouching between the sheepfolds''” although two saddlebags or burdens are substituted as being more meaningful. (Banner 7)
+:::*'''Issachar''' - Sky Blue with an ass crouching between two burdens. Genesis 49:14 “''Issachar is a strong ass crouching between the sheepfolds''” although two saddlebags or burdens are substituted as being more meaningful. (Banner 7)
-:::*'''Zebulun''' - Purple with a ship. Genesis Ch 49 c 13 “''Zebulun will dwell at the shore of the sea; he should become a haven for ships.''” (Banner 8)
+:::*'''Zebulun''' - Purple with a ship. Genesis 49:13 “''Zebulun will dwell at the shore of the sea; he should become a haven for ships.''” (Banner 8)
-:::*'''Reuben''' - Scarlet with wavy lines. Genesis 49 v 3-4 “''Reuben, you are my first born...unstable (i.e. turbulent) as the waters''”. The waters are depicted by wavy lines. Jewish tradition lists Reuben’s banner as either mandrakes or the figure of a man - not surprising since the root of this highly poisonous plant was thought to resemble human form. This indicates a variation in emphasis but a consistency with Genesis. (Banner 9)
+:::*'''Reuben''' - Scarlet with wavy lines. Genesis 49:3-4 “''Reuben, you are my first born... unstable (i.e., turbulent) as the waters''”. The waters are depicted by wavy lines. Jewish tradition lists Reuben’s banner as either mandrakes or the figure of a man - not surprising since the root of this highly poisonous plant was thought to resemble human form. This indicates a variation in emphasis but a consistency with Genesis. (Banner 9)
-:::*'''Simeon''' - Yellow with a sword and dagger crossed. Genesis Ch 49 v. 5 “''Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords.''”  Jewish tradition holds that Simeon’s banner showed a city. (Banner 10)
+:::*'''Simeon''' - Yellow with a sword and dagger crossed. Genesis 49:5 “''Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords.''”  Jewish tradition holds that Simeon’s banner showed a city. (Banner 10)
-:::*'''Gad''' - White and a troop of horsemen. Genesis, Ch. 49, v. 19 “''Raiders shall raid Gad but he shall raid at their heels.''”  Jewish tradition holds that Gad’s banner showed a camp. (Banner 11)
+:::*'''Gad''' - White and a troop of horsemen. Genesis 49:19 “''Raiders shall raid Gad but he shall raid at their heels.''”  Jewish tradition holds that Gad’s banner showed a camp. (Banner 11)
-:::*'''Ephraim''' - Green with an ox. To find a biblical reference for this symbolism, we have to turn to Deuteronomy Ch. 33, v. 17, and the blessing given by Moses to the Israelites. When Moses mentions Joseph, he says, “''In majesty, he is like a firstborn bull; his horns are like the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth. Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim; such are the thousands of Manasseh.''” Although there are references to both Ephraim and Manasseh, the vine having already been used, so the ox was adopted. (Banner 12)
+:::*'''Ephraim''' - Green with an ox. To find a biblical reference for this symbolism, we have to turn to Deuteronomy 33:17 and the blessing given by Moses to the Israelites. When Moses mentions Joseph, he says, “''In majesty, he is like a firstborn bull; his horns are like the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth. Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim; such are the thousands of Manasseh.''” Although there are references to both Ephraim and Manasseh, the vine having already been used, so the ox was adopted. (Banner 12)
 The Order of the Banners and Ensigns The reason for the order of the Banners and Ensigns corresponds to the listing in the second chapter of the Book of Numbers. The tribes were listed in a particular order in which they were to march when fleeing out of Egypt and then into camp. When the tribes were encamped, the Levites were in the centre with the Tabernacle, and the twelve tribes were arranged in four divisions of three tribes each at the cardinal points of the compass. From this, we can arrive at the four divisions of the Army of Israel: