CROWN (kronn), (Ileb. nek'zer, literally, something set apart, consecration; hence, con secrated or dedicated hair, as of IN:az:trite), is supposed to mean a diddem. (I kb.
raw', crown.) Crowns are often mentioned in Scripture and in such a manner as in most cases to indicate the circumstances under which, and the persons by whom, t hey were worn ; for t hey were less exclusive ly worn by sovereigns than among modern nations. Perhaps it would be better to say that the term 'crowns' was applied to other ornaments for the head than those exclusively worn by royal per sonages. and to which modern usage would give such distinctive names as coronet, hand. miter, tiara, garland, etc.
(1) Origin. The royal crown originated in the diadem. which was a simple fillet fastened round the bead, and tied behind. This obvioUsly took its rise among a people who wore long hair, and used a band to prevent it from falling over the face. The idea occurred of distinguishing kings by a fillet of different color from that usually worn; and being thus established as a regal dis tinction, it continued to be used as such even among nations who did not wear the hair long, or was employed to confine the head-dress. We sometimes see this diadem as a simple fillet, about two inches broad, fastened round the otherwise bare head; we then find it as a band of gold. In this shape it sometimes forms the basis of raised ornamental work, in which case it becomes what we should consider a crown; and indeed the original diadem may be traced in most ancient crowns. Then we find the diadem surrounding the head-dress or cap (figs. 3, 9, 13), and when this also is ornamented, the diadem may be con sidered as having become a crown. The word 'weer is supposed to denote a diadem. It is ap plied to the inscribed plate of gold in front of the high-priest's miter, which was tied behind by a ribbon (Exod. xxix:6; xxxix:3o). This word is also employed to denote the diadem which Saul wore in battle, and which was brought to David (2 Sam. i:io), and also that which was used at the coronation of the young Joash (2 Kings xi:12), and, as another word is applied elsewhere to the crown used in this ceremonial, the probability is that the Hebrew kings wore sometimes a diadem and sometimes a crown, and that the diadem only was accessible to the high-priest, by whom Joash was crowned, the crown itself being most likely in the possession of Athaliah. As Ps. lxxxix was
certainly composed by David, the regal use of the diadem is further indicated in verse 39.
The more general word for a crown is atarah; and it is applied to crowns and head ornaments of different sorts, including those used by the kings. When applied to their crowns, it appears to denote the state crown as distinguished from the diadem. This, the Rabbins allege, was of gold set with jewels; such was the crown which David took from the king of the Amorites (2 Sam. xii: 3o), and afterwards wore himself, as did prob ably his successors.
(2) Early Sculptures. In Egypt and Persia there are sculptures representing royal crowns in the shape of a distinguishing tiara, cap, or hel met, of metal, and of cloth. or partly cloth and partly metal. There are allusions in Scripture (Rev. xii :3 ; xix :t2) to the wearing of two or three fillets as a diadem. These fillets may have been significant of dominion over Lower and Up per Egypt, and Lower and Upper Egypt and Asia. These Egyptian tiaras were worn in war and on occasions of state; but on ordinary occa sions a fillet or diadem was used.
(3) Miter of the High Priest. It is impor tant to observe that the miter of the high-priest, which is also called a crown (Exod. xxxix:3o), was of similar construction, if not shape, with the addition of the golden fillet or diadem. Simi lar also in construction and material, though not in form, was the ancient Persian crown, for which there is a distinct name in the book of Esther (i :2; 11:17; vi :8), viz., kether, which was doubt less the kidaris or kitaris (the high cap or tiara) so often mentioned by the Greek historians. From the descriptions given of it, this seems to have been a somewhat conical cap, surrounded by a wreath or fold. This one is worthy of very par ticular attention, because it forms a connecting link bteween the ancient and modern Oriental crowns, the latter consisting either of a cap, with a fold or turban, variously enriched with aigrettes, or of a stiff cap of cloth, studded with precious stones.