Beacon

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) A high hill near the shore.

(2): (v. t.) To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.

(3): (n.) That which gives notice of danger.

(4): (n.) A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners.

(5): (n.) A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.

(6): (v. t.) To furnish with a beacon or beacons.

King James Dictionary

BE'ACON, n. beekn.

1. A signal erected on a long pole, upon an eminence, consisting of a pitch barrel, or some combustible matter, to be fired at night, or to cause a smoke by day, to notify the approach of an enemy. 2. A light-house a house erected on a point on land, or other place on the sea-coast, with lamps which burn at night, to direct navigators, and preserve vessels from running upon rocks, sand banks, or the shore. In general, a beacon may be any light or mark intended for direction and security against danger. 3. Figuratively, that which gives notice of danger.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Isaiah 30:17 (a) Here we have a beautiful picture of the testimony of GOD's people. This testimony is elevated high and shines plainly so that the light from it illuminates far and wide in this world. Every church should be a beacon, and so should every saved individual.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Signal pole placed on the top of a hill.  Isaiah 30:17 . Israel should be so reduced in prosperity and in number as to become like a solitary 'tree bereft of branches,' margin .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Isaiah 30:17 Isaiah 33:23  Ezekiel 27:5

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Beacon. A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence for direction.  Isaiah 30:17.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( תֹּרֶן , To ' Ren ) ,  Isaiah 30:17, in the margin in that place, and in the text in chap. 23:23, and  Ezekiel 27:5, rendered "mast." It probably signifies a Pole used as a standard or "ensign" ( נֵס , Nes ) , which was set up on the tops of mountains as a signal for the assembling of the people, sometimes on the invasion of an enemy, and sometimes after a defeat ( Isaiah 5:26;  Isaiah 11:12;  Isaiah 18:3;  Isaiah 62:10). (See Banner).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bē´k ' n . The translation of the Hebrew תּרן , tōren , which usually means "mast" (compare  Isaiah 33:23;  Ezekiel 27:5 ), but in  Isaiah 30:17 being used in parallelism with "ensign" the meaning may be "signal-staff" (  Isaiah 30:17 the American Revised Version, margin "pole").