CROWN 1. In the OT . The word represents several Heb. terms with distinct meanings. (1) zçr , properly an edge or border, with the suggestion of a twisted or wreathed appearance. It occurs only in Ex ( Exodus 25:11 and frequently). It is always of gold, and in the furniture of the Tabernacle surrounds the ark, the table of shew-bread and its border, the altar of incense. RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] gives as alternative renderings ‘rim,’ ‘moulding.’ Its purpose seems to have been ornamental merely. (2) nçzer , properly ‘mark of separation or consecration’ (fr. nâzar ‘to separate, consecrate’; whence nâzir = ‘Nazirite’). Originally it was no more than a fillet to confine hair that was worn long (W. R. Smith, RS [Note: S Religion of the Semites.] 2 p. 483). It is used of the crown set upon the forehead of the high priest ( Exodus 29:6 etc.) a plate of pure gold with the engraving ‘Holy to J″ [Note: Jahweh.] ’ ( Exodus 39:30 , cf. Leviticus 8:9 ), and also of the crown worn by Heb. kings ( 2 Samuel 1:10 , 2 Kings 11:12 ). In both cases it was the symbol of consecration. (3) kether , similar in meaning to (2) but without the idea of consecration, is used in Est. ( Esther 1:11; Esther 2:17; Esther 6:8 ) to denote the diadem of a Persian king or queen. (4) ’atârah , the word that is most frequent and of the most general significance. It is applied to the crown worn by kings, whether Jewish ( 2 Samuel 12:30 etc.) or foreign ( 1 Chronicles 20:2 , Esther 8:15 [cf. Esther 6:8 ]), to the wreath worn at banquets ( Isaiah 28:1; Isaiah 28:3 , Ezekiel 23:42 ); but also in a fig. sense, as when, e.g. a virtuous woman is called her husband’s crown ( Proverbs 12:4 ), a hoary head the crown of old age ( Proverbs 16:31 ), the Lord of hosts the crown of His people ( Isaiah 28:5 ). (5) qodhqôdh is the crown or top of the head, as in the expression ‘from the sole of his foot even unto his crown’ ( Job 2:7 ); cf. Genesis 49:26 , Deuteronomy 33:20 etc. The vb. ‘to crown’ is comparatively rare in the OT: ‘âtar (corresponding to (4) above) is found in Psalms 8:5; Psalms 65:11; Psalms 103:4 , Song of Solomon 3:11 , Isaiah 23:8; kathar (corresp. to (3)) in Proverbs 14:18; nâzar (corresponding to (2)) in Nahum 3:17 . 2. In the NT . In AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘crown’ represents two Gr. words: (1) stephanos (whence stephanoô , ‘to crown’), (2) diadema; the former being the badge of merit or victory, the latter (found only in Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 19:12 ) the mark of royalty. This distinction, though not strictly observed in LXX [Note: Septuagint.] , is properly maintained in RV [Note: Revised Version.] , where (2) is in each case rendered ‘diadem.’ The stephanos (properly ‘wreath’ = Lat. corona ) was the garland given as a prize to the victors in the games ( 1 Corinthians 9:25; cf. 2 Timothy 2:5 ). It is the word applied to our Lord’s ‘crown of thorns’ ( Matthew 27:29 , Mark 15:17 , John 19:2; John 19:5 ). It is used figuratively of the ‘crown of righteousness’ ( 2 Timothy 4:8 ), ‘of life’ ( James 1:12 , Revelation 2:10 ), ‘of glory’ ( 1 Peter 5:4 ). St. Paul applies it to his converts as being his joy and reward ( Philippians 4:1 , 1 Thessalonians 2:19 ); and in Rev. it is employed in various symbolical connexions ( Revelation 4:4; Revelation 4:10; Revelation 6:2; Revelation 9:7; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 14:14 ). J. C. Lambert.
Crown.The common ensign of royalty and of victory, 2 Chr. 23:11; it is also used symbolically for honour or reward; as "a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband." Prov. 12:4. Paul speaks of those whom he had been the means of converting as his 'joy and crown;' his 'crown of rejoicing.' Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19. In the A.V. the word 'crown' represents the word zer, the border or moulding placed round the top of the ark, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense. Ex. 37:2-27. In the N.T. the word commonly rendered 'crown' is στέφανος, which is more a symbol of victory than of royalty. It is applied to the Son of Man and to others, Rev. 6:2; Rev. 14:14; and to the twenty-four elders in heaven, who cast their crowns before the throne, Rev. 4:4, 10; also to the perishable crown won by the victors in the ancient contests, and to the imperishable crown of the Christian. 1 Cor. 9:25. This latter is further described as a 'crown of righteousness,' 'crown of life,' 'crown of glory.' 2 Tim. 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Rev. 2:10. These may refer to the same crown, viewed in different aspects. The Christian is exhorted to beware that no man take his crown. Rev. 3:11. Another Greek word, also translated 'crown,' is really DIADEM, diάδημα, and was the word used for the royal crown of ancient eastern kings. We read of it only in reference to the Lord Jesus as having on His head 'many diadems,' also as upon the 'seven heads' of the 'great red dragon,' and on the 'ten horns' of the head of the future Roman empire. Rev. 12:3; Rev. 13:1; Rev. 19:12.