Crown

Crown - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(1.) Denotes the plate of gold in the front of the high priest's mitre (Ex. 29:6; 39:30). The same Hebrew word so rendered (ne'zer) denotes the diadem worn by Saul in battle (2 Sam. 1:10), and also that which was used at the coronation of Joash (2 Kings 11:12).

(2.) The more general name in Hebrew for a crown is 'atarah, meaning a "circlet." This is used of crowns and head ornaments of divers kinds, including royal crowns. Such was the crown taken from the king of Ammon by David (2 Sam. 12:30). The crown worn by the Assyrian kings was a high mitre, sometimes adorned with flowers. There are sculptures also representing the crowns worn by the early Egyptian and Persian kings. Sometimes a diadem surrounded the royal head-dress of two or three fillets. This probably signified that the wearer had dominion over two or three countries. In Rev. 12:3; 13:1, we read of "many crowns," a token of extended dominion.

(3.) The ancient Persian crown (Esther 1:11; 2:17; 6:8) was called kether; i.e., "a chaplet," a high cap or tiara. Crowns were worn sometimes to represent honour and power (Ezek. 23:42). They were worn at marriages (Cant. 3:11; Isa. 61:10, "ornaments;" R.V., "a garland"), and at feasts and public festivals.

The crown was among the Romans and Greeks a symbol of victory and reward. The crown or wreath worn by the victors in the Olympic games was made of leaves of the wild olive; in the Pythian games, of laurel; in the Nemean games, of parsley; and in the Isthmian games, of the pine. The Romans bestowed the "civic crown" on him who saved the life of a citizen. It was made of the leaves of the oak. In opposition to all these fading crowns the apostles speak of the incorruptible crown, the crown of life (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10) "that fadeth not away" (1 Pet. 5:4, Gr. amarantinos; comp. 1:4). Probably the word "amaranth" was applied to flowers we call "everlasting," the "immortal amaranth."

Crown - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

CROWN, n. [G., L.]

1. An ornament worn on the head by kings and sovereign princes, as a badge of imperial or regal power and dignity. Figuratively, regal power; royalty; kingly government, or executive authority.

2. A wreath or garland.

3. Honorary distinction; reward.

They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; we, an incorruptible. 1 Cor 9.

4. Honor; splendor; dignity.

The crown has fallen from our heads. Lam 5. Phil 4.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband. Prov 12.

5. The top of the head; the top of a mountain or other elevated object. The end of an anchor, or the point from which the arms proceed.

6. The part of a hat which covers the top of the head.

7. A coin anciently stamped with the figure of a crown. The English crown is five shillings sterling. The French crown is a hundred and nine cents. Other coins bear the same name.

8. Completion; accomplishment.

9. Clerical tonsure in a circular form; a little circle shaved on the top of the head, as a mark of ecclesiastical office or distinction.

10. Among jewelers, the upper work of a rose diamond.

11. In botany, an appendage to the top of a seed, which serves to bear it in the wind.

CROWN, v.t.

1. To invest with a crown or regal ornament. Hence, to invest with regal dignity and power.

2. To cover, as with a crown; to cover the top.

And peaceful olives crowned his hoary head.

3. To honor; to dignify; to adorn.

Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor. Psa 8.

4. To reward; to bestow an honorary reward or distinction on; as the victor crowned with laurel.

5. To reward; to recompense.

Shell crown a grateful and a constant flame.

6. To terminate or finish; to complete; to perfect.

7. To terminate and reward; as, our efforts were crowned with success.