Ancient Crowns

Sennacherib With Crown

The crown in the ancient world came in many shapes and forms. They were made of very costly material, symbolizing royalty and sovereignty.

When King David conquered Rabbah, he took the crown of the king of the Ammonites which contained a talent of gold and precious stones. Solomon said that a virtuous wife was a crown to her husband.

"In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people"
- Isaiah 28-5

"For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head."
- Psalm 21:3

"And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance."
- 2 Samuel 12:29-30

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."
- Revelation 1:5-7

"And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
- Revelation 19:16

Egyptian Crown

(Upper Country)

Egyptian Crown

(Lower Country)

Egyptian Crown

(United Upper and Lower Countries)

Assyrian Crown

(Nineveh)

Assyrian Crown

(Sardanapalus III)

Assyrian Crown

(Sennacherib)

Syrian Crown

(Tigrames)

Persian Crown

(Persepolis)

Roman Crown

(Corona Civica, Galba)
Heart Message

Crowns

A Crown of Glory

Temporary and Fading Earthly Glory

The crown was an emblem of power and legitimacy and a symbol of transcendent authority upon monarchs and rulers throughout history.

The crown is a valued and ornamented headgear worn by rulers especially when appearing in public or in their official role as king or queen. Ancient heads of state surrounded themselves with the optics of glory beginning with the coronation ceremony when they were crowned and seated upon a throne indicating their authority, power and importance to the audience they ruled and intimidated into submission.

Crowns are often made of gold and contain items of cultural value such as jewels and precious stones. Indian headdress might include rare and valuable feathers. An Olympic victor might wear a simple wreath, but the meaning is still one of great accomplishment and personal glory.

Whatever earthly glory a crown might represent, the Scripture reminds us that it is temporary and fading. The twenty-four elders in Revelation 4:10 cast down their crowns at the feet of God acknowledging that He alone is the true King and the symbols of their own glory must be humbly submitted to God's honor and glory.

God offers those who accept His forgiveness, salvation and lordship, the Crown of Life (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10) and a Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4) perhaps referring to God's own Presence radiating His authority and rule through those He loved and redeemed.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Cor 9:25

1 Corinthians 9:25 - "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."

The Bible mentions a lot regarding the word "crown":

Exodus 25:11 - And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

Philippians 4:1 - Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, [my] dearly beloved.

Exodus 37:26 - And he overlaid it with pure gold, [both] the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about.

Genesis 49:26 - The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Esther 6:8 - Let the royal apparel be brought which the king [useth] to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:

Psalms 89:39 - Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown [by casting it] to the ground.

Revelation 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

2 Samuel 12:30 - And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof [was] a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was [set] on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.

1 Chronicles 20:2 - And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and [there were] precious stones in it; and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city.

Jeremiah 48:45 - They that fled stood under the shadow of Heshbon because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones.

Esther 8:15 - And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

Leviticus 21:12 - Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God [is] upon him: I [am] the LORD.

Proverbs 17:6 - Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers.

Exodus 37:27 - And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it withal.

2 Kings 11:12 - And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and [gave him] the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

2 Chronicles 23:11 - Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and [gave him] the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.

Exodus 29:6 - And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.

Leviticus 8:9 - And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, [even] upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Isaiah 3:17 - Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.

Revelation 14:14 - And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Psalms 21:3 - For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

Isaiah 62:3 - Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

Ezekiel 16:12 - And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.