The Hebrew word nes (נֵס) refers to a banner, standard, or pole used as a rallying point or signal. It could be a military standard raised on a hilltop to gather troops or signal a message. In later usage it came to mean a miraculous sign or wonder — a marvel that draws attention and calls for response.
Nes is intimately connected to God's saving acts. Moses named the altar built after the defeat of Amalek YHWH Nissi — 'The LORD is my Banner' (Exodus 17:15). Isaiah prophesied that God would raise a nes for the nations (Isaiah 11:10–12), calling scattered Israel back to Himself — a prophecy with messianic fulfillment in Christ, who is the banner around whom all nations gather. John 3:14 draws the connection explicitly: as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up — Christ crucified is the ultimate nes, drawing all people to Himself (John 12:32).