Crown

Crown in Scripture refers to several distinct types of headwear or ornaments signifying authority, honor, or holiness. The high priest's crown was the golden plate inscribed Holiness to the LORD fastened to his turban (Exodus 29:6; 39:30). Royal crowns were seized as trophies of war (2 Samuel 12:30; 2 Kings 11:12) and were symbols of dynastic legitimacy and divine favor — Psalm 89:39 describes God casting the king's crown to the ground as a picture of judgment on the Davidic line.

In the New Testament, the crown (Greek stephanos, the victor's wreath, versus diadema, the royal crown) is the primary image of eternal reward. Paul describes the crown of righteousness awaiting those who love Christ's appearing (2 Timothy 4:8), the incorruptible crown that athletes who discipline themselves will receive (1 Corinthians 9:25), and his own converts as his crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19; Philippians 4:1). James promises the crown of life to those who endure temptation (James 1:12), and Revelation presents crowned elders (4:4) who cast their crowns before the throne in worship, and Christ himself wearing many diadems (19:12).