Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CROWN

A headpiece signifying position or honor. Wearing a crown set a royal personage or an Israelite high priest apart from others. Saul (2 Sam. 1:10) and Joash (2 Kgs. 11:12 = 2 Chr. 23:11) wore crowns, as did, presumably, other Israelite and Judahite kings (cf. Ps. 89:39[MT 40]). A crown, possibly a circlet, with the words “Holy to Yahweh,” formed part of the high priest’s headgear (Exod. 29:6; 39:30; Lev. 8:9; cf. Exod. 28:36-38). When David captured the Ammonite capital Rabbah, he symbolized his control over Ammon by putting the crown of “their king(s)” (MT) or of the god “Milcom” (LXX) on his own head (2 Sam. 12:30 = 2 Chr. 20:2). During the Exile, Esther and her relative Mordecai wore crowns given by the Persian king (Esth. 2:17; 6:8; 8:15). The messianic leader would receive a crown (Zech. 6:9-14).

In the OT the crown (Heb. ʿăṭārâ, keṯer, nēzer) symbolizes personal glory (Job 19:9; Prov. 4:9). The signs of old age, such as grey hair and grandchildren, comprise such a crown (Prov. 16:31; 17:6). A crown (NRSV “garland”) may symbolize godless pride (Isa. 28:1, 3, 5). God has crowned humanity with glory, honor, and steadfast love (Ps. 8:5[6]; 103:4).

In the NT the kingly crown (diádēma) and the wreath (stéphanos), given to show honor or victory, are distinct (contrast Rev. 14:14). However, this distinction is not consistently observed by the LXX translators, the postapostolic writers, and English translators.

The kingly crown appears only three times in the NT, all in Revelation. The “great red dragon” (the devil) wears seven crowns, one for each of his seven heads (Rev. 12:3). In a similar way the “beast coming up out of the sea,” who receives power and authority from the dragon, has ten crowns, one for each of his horns (13:1). “The Word of God,” who sits on a white horse, the one “who is called faithful and true,” is crowned with “many crowns” (19:11-13). The royal crown, then, appears only on the head of the Christ, who deserves it, or on the heads of his enemies, who hope to overthrow his rule.

Carl Bridges

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

CROWN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)