THRONE (thron), the Hebrew word kis say', is generally thought to have for its root meaning the idea of covering; hence it denotes a covered seat or throne, occupied by a judge (Ps. cxxii:5), a priest (I Sam. i:9), or a chief (Jer. i:15).
Whatever the original import of the term may have been, it denoted the ornamented scat on which royal personages gave audience on state oc casions among the Hebrews (1 Kings ii :19; xxii : io; comp. Esth. v:1). It was originally a deco rated armchair, higher than an ordinary seat, so as to require a footstool to support the feet. Some times the throne was placed on a platform as cended by steps (Is. vi :1). Solomon made a throne of ivory overlaid with gold, which had six steps with six lions on each side (i Kings x :18; 2 Chron. ix:18). Archelaus addressed the amid tildes from 'an elevated scat and a throne of gold' (Joseph. De Bell. lud. ii. 1. 1).
Royal thrones were often portable, like those of Ahab and Jehoshaphat (I Kings xxii :io), and the one used by Sennacherib at Lachish. (See SEN-' NACH ER113.) J. R. B. Figurative. (1) A throne became the em blem of regal power (Gen. xli :40) whence the phrases, 'to sit on the throne of his kingdom' (Dent. xvii :18; 1 Kings xvi :11), that is, to rule as a monarch. (2) To sit on the throne of a person (1 Kings i :13; 2 Kings x:30), which sig nifies, to be his successor. (3) Angels are called thrones and dominions, because of their great power and authority (Col. i :16). (4) The cere
monial mercy seat, that covered the ark with cherubim on each side, signified the Redeemer's atonement, as the rest and throne of grace for a reconciled God, ready to declare his love, and be stow his blessings on sinful men (Hcb. iv :16). (5) God's seat or throne, is also either the Jew ish temple, where the symbols of his presence re sided (Jcr. xvii :12), or heaven, where his glory and authority are chiefly manifested (Is. lxvi: 1) ; or a symbol of his glorious presence (Rev. iv :9) ; or his sovereign power and authority to execute judgment, or bestow favors (Joh xxiii : 3; Ps. lxxxix :14 ; Heb. iv :16) ; or the high de gree of his authority and happiness (Ezek. xxviii: 2). (6) And the Jewish royalty, and the state of emperor of the Christian world, is called God's throne, as he bestows it (2 Sam. xiv :9; Rev. xii: 5). (7) Christ's sitting on his Father's throne, at the right hand of it, or in the midst of it, im ports his exaltation to the highest dignity, author ity, and happiness (Rev. iii :21 and v :6; Heb. xii: 2). The saints sit on thrones, or seats before the throne, and with Christ on his throne (Rev. iv :6 and xi :16; Luke xxii :3o; Rev. iii :21). (Brown, Bib. Diet.)