In biblical symbolism a crown encompasses themes of:
authority, honor, victory, righteousness,
royalty, divine favor and eternal life.
It serves as a powerful reminder of the promises and rewards in eternal life that await those who faithfully follow our Heavenly Father and the ultimate sovereignty of His Messiah as King.
There have been many teachings on the 5 crowns that are waiting for the believers, some list 7 and some 8 or more. Some give alternate names, the more popular 5 are found in the renewed covenant/ brit chadashah.
Messiah wore a crown of thorns so we may gain these:
The 1st crown is the Victor’s Crown, or Overcomers Crown. 1 Corinthians 9:25–27. This crown will be awarded to those who discipline their minds through the study of God’s Word and prayer.
The 2nd is the Crown of Rejoicing,1 Thessalonians 2:19; which will be given to those who have led others to Christ.
The 3rd is the Crown of Righteousness, 2 Timothy 4:8, which will be given to those who have a longing for Messiah—who look for His return.
The 4th is the Crown of Life,James 1:12; Revelation 2:10, placed upon those who have endured and triumphed over trials and temptations and persecution, even to the point of martyrdom.
The 5th is the Crown of Glory, 1 Peter 5:4, awarded to the faithful shepherds and leaders of His people.
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Other scriptures which mention crowns:
Incorruptible Crown, 1Thess. 2:19.
Eternal crown, 1Cor. 9:25.
Crown of thorns. Mark 15:17.
Crown of joy, Is. 51:11.
Crown of victory, Ps. 149:4.
Crown of knowledge, Prov. 14:18.
Crown of love, Ps. 103:4.
The Crown of Splendor, You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.Isaiah 62:3.
The Crown of Beauty/Authority. The crown is a symbol of authority and wisdom, often representing kingship and divine favor. InProverbs 4:7-9.
HEB: לִוְיַת־ חֵ֑ן עֲטֶ֖רֶת תִּפְאֶ֣רֶת תְּמַגְּנֶֽךָּ׃ NAS: She will present you with a crown of beauty. KJV: of grace: a crown of glory INT: A garland of grace A crown of beauty will present
The Greek word for crown is Strongs #4735 (stephanos):
It refers to a crown or wreath, often used metaphorically in the New Testament to to denote a victor’s crown or a symbol of honor and reward and to describe the reward of eternal life or victory in Christ.
Original Word: στέφανος Transliteration: stephanos Pronunciation: STEF-ah-nos Phonetic Spelling: (stef’-an-os) Definition: Crown, garland, honor, glory, from the root word stepho, meaning: to encircle or to crown.
In the New Testament, stephanos primarily refers to a crown or wreath, symbolizing victory, honor, or reward. Unlike a royal diadem, which signifies sovereignty, a stephanos is often associated with the wreath awarded to victors in athletic contests or given as a mark of honor and celebration. It is used metaphorically to describe the eternal rewards and honors bestowed upon believers by God.
In ancient Greek culture, a stephanos was a wreath made of leaves or flowers, awarded to victors in athletic competitions, such as the Roman and Greek Olympic Games. It was a symbol of triumph and achievement. In Roman times, it was also used to honor military victors and distinguished citizens. The New Testament writers adopted this imagery to convey the concept of spiritual victory and the eternal rewards awaiting believers.
stéphanos – properly, a wreath (garland), awarded to a victor in the ancient athletic games (like the Greek Olympics); the crown of victory (versus 1238 /diádēma, “a royal crown”).
1 Corinthians 9:25N-AMS GRK: ἵνα φθαρτὸν στέφανον λάβωσιν ἡμεῖς NAS: a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. KJV: obtain a corruptible crown; but we INT: that a perishable crown they might receive we
[4735 (stéphanos) is used of a plaited wreath (“crown”), like the one made of thorns placed on the head of Christ at His trial (Mt 27:29, Mk 15:17; Jn 19:2,5).]
Mark 15:17N-AMS GRK: πλέξαντες ἀκάνθινον στέφανον NAS: and after twisting a crown of thorns, KJV: platted a crown of thorns, INT: having twisted together [it] thorn crown
John 19:2N-AMS GRK: στρατιῶται πλέξαντες στέφανον ἐξ ἀκανθῶν NAS: twisted together a crown of thorns KJV: platted a crown of INT: soldiers having twisted together a crown of thorns
There are 2 distinct Biblical Hebrew words for crown:
atarah:part of a royal ensemble, coming from the root meaning circular and surrounding and
nezer: part of a priestly ensemble, associated with nazarite concept of separation and dedication.
First we look at Atarah– found in Strong’s 5850.
atarah: Crown, wreath, garland
Original Word: עֲטָרָה Part of Speech: Noun Feminine Transliteration: `atarah Pronunciation: ah-tah-RAH Phonetic Spelling: (at-aw-raw’) Definition: Crown, wreath, garland Meaning: a crown, derived from the root עָטַר (atar), meaning “to surround” or “to crown.”
The Hebrew word atarah primarily refers to a crown or a wreath, often symbolizing honor, authority, or victory. In the biblical context, it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it describes a physical crown worn by kings or individuals of high status. Metaphorically, it represents honor, glory, or the reward of righteousness.
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, crowns were significant symbols of power and authority. They were often made of precious metals and adorned with jewels, signifying the wearer’s status and role. In Israel, the concept of a crown extended beyond physical adornment to include spiritual and moral dimensions, representing divine favor and blessing.
Atarahand some of the scriptures it is used in.
King David stands out as the archetypal Jewish king. He was a powerful, strong in battle, a conqueror and a builder, yet he was also humble, penitent and reverenced the Lord. Many queens and kings throughout history have only recognized their own authority and superiority, but David acknowledged that his kingly crown was given to him by YHWH:
Psalm 21:1-7
David: O YHWH, in Your strength the king will be glad, and in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire, and You have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
For You meet him with the blessings of good things; you set a crown [a’teret] of fine gold on his head. He asked life of You, You gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.
David received a crown/nezer of fine gold to represent his kinship, but the Proverbs identified many things that were like a crown:
an excellent wife is the the crown [a’teret] of her husbandProverbs 12:4
the sensible are crowned [a’teret] with knowledgeProverbs 14:24
grandchildren are the crown [a’teret] of old menProverbs 17:6
The crown given by wisdom was the most beautiful:
Proverbs 4:5-9“Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!…..She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown [a’teret] of beauty.”
The other Hebrew word is:
Nezer
נֶזֶר
and it is a word rich in meaning, apart from the obvious, it also meansconsecration, separation, dedication.
Root: עָטַר and נֶזֶר. Original Word: נֶזֶר Transliteration: nezer Pronunciation: NEH-zer.
Sounds like: a’tawraw and neh’zer Phonetic Spelling: neh’-zer Definition: Crown, consecration, separation, dedication Meaning: something set apart, dedication, unshorn locks, a chaplet.
Derived from the root נָזַר (nazar), meaning “to consecrate” or “to separate.”
Found in many places including:
Numbers 6:13 HEB: מְלֹאת֙ יְמֵ֣י נִזְר֔וֹ יָבִ֣יא אֹת֔וֹ NAS:the days of his separation are fulfilled, KJV:the days of his separation are fulfilled: INT:are fulfilled the days of his separation shall bring about
The term nezer primarily denotes a state of consecration or separation, often associated with a vow or a special status before Adonai. It is used to describe the physical crown worn by kings and priests, symbolizing their consecrated role. Additionally, it refers to the Nazirite vow, a special form of dedication to Adonai involving abstinence from wine, not cutting one’s hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. (Think Samson.)
In ancient Israel, the concept of consecration was central to religious life. The nezer represented a visible sign of one’s dedication to Adoani, whether through the physical crown of a king or priest or the uncut hair of a Nazirite. The Nazirite vow, detailed in Numbers 6, was a voluntary act of devotion, allowing any Israelite to live in a state of heightened holiness for a period. This vow was a way for individuals to express their commitment to God beyond the regular requirements of the Law.
So, Nezer is a word that resonates with multiple layers of meaning. It is a physical symbol of earthly power,
a metaphorical representation of divine covenant
and messianic prophecy,
and a powerful reminder of dedication and holiness.
By understanding the many sided nature of nezer, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the Hebrew Bible and the rich tapestry of symbolism woven throughout its narrative.
The word nezer holds a profound significance in the Hebrew Bible, transcending its literal meaning of crown. It embodies a tapestry of symbolism, representing power, authority, and the divine covenant. To fully appreciate its depth, we must examine its multifaceted applications within the scriptures.
In its most straightforward sense, nezer signifies a crown, a physical emblem of royalty. Kings wore nezer to signify their authority and dominion over their people. Samuel recounts David’s coronation as king, where he is adorned with a nezer,1 Samuel 2:10. This simple act symbolizes the transfer of power and the establishment of a new era.
Beyond the physical crown, nezer also symbolizes the intangible power and prestige associated with kingship. It represents the weight of responsibility,
the burden of leadership, and
the divine mandate bestowed upon the king.
The nezer is not merely a decorative ornament, it is a tangible reminder of the king’s duty to his people and his commitment to upholding justice and righteousness.
The concept of nezer extends beyond earthly kingship, reaching into the realm of divine covenant and messianic prophecy. The prophet in Zechariah 6:12, foretells the coming of a “Branch” In Hebrew: “tsemach“, who will wear a nezer. This nezer signifies not a crown of earthly power but a crown of righteousness and peace, signifying a leader chosen by God to bring salvation and restoration to his people.
The nezer in this context becomes a symbol of our Heavenly Father’s covenant with His people, a promise of a future king who will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. This prophecy is filled with the messianic promises found throughout the Hebrew Bible, where a future king, descended from David, will establish a just and enduring kingdom.
The word nezer is also used in a more metaphorical sense, representing a state of dedication and holiness. The Israelites were commanded to dedicate their firstborn male animals as nezer,Exodus 13:2. This act of dedication signified their commitment to Adoani and their willingness to offer their best to Him.
The term nezer signifies a set-apartness, a state of being dedicated to a higher purpose. This concept is further illustrated in the account of Samson, who was dedicated as a nezer from birth, found in Judges 13:5. Samson’s life is marked by his devotion to Adonai and his extraordinary strength, symbolizing the power that comes with unwavering dedication to a divine calling.
Some examples where the word Nezer is used:
The Nezer/crown was associated with Royal Priesthood. It symbolized dedication and separation frequently connected to Nazarites. In the Torah, when high priests were anointed, they were crowned:
Exodus 29:5-7 and Leviticus 8:9.
“You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic and the robe of the ephod and the ephod and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod; and you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown [et nezer ha-kodesh]on the turban. Then you shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him.”
The book of Exodus gave more detail of what this priestly crown looked like:
Exodus 39:30-31
They made the plate of the holy crown [nezer ha-qodesh] of pure gold, and inscribed it like the engravings of a signet, “Holy to YHWH.” They fastened a blue cord to it, to fasten it on the turban above, just as YHWH had commanded Moses.
However, this kind of crown wasn’t just for priests. Saul’s crown, which was returned to David after his death, was identified as a nezer, found in 2 Samuel 1:2-10; and one of Judah’s youngest kings, Joash, was identified as being crowned with a nezer at his coronation.
The example of a Crown of Pride or a proud crown – a’teret geyut , came not that long after the Israelites received what they desired, a human king to rule over them. First Saul was appointed king, next came David and then Solomon. Around 930 BC after Solomon, the kingdom experienced many internal problems and ended up being separated into two kingdoms, that of Israel and the kingdom of Judah, both sides were threatened by enemies across their borders. Isaiah warned the people that they would lose their crown as he lived during the time of the Assyrian invasion in 732 BC.
The proud crown [a’teret geyut] of the drunkards of Ephraim is trodden under foot. And the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is at the head of the fertile valley, will be like the first-ripe fig prior to summer, which one sees, and as soon as it is in his hand, He swallows it. In that day YHWH of hosts will become a beautiful crown [ts’vi la-a’teret] and a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people.
So Ephraim one of the tribes of the Northern Kingdom – often synonymous with the kingdom of Israel – lost its crown when the Assyrians conquered them. However YHWH was still King and His crown would stand in for the remnant of His people who were now dispersed among the nations.
In Isaiah 62:2-3 YHWH promised to redeem and rename His people and that they would be a crown of beauty in His hand. He would do this so that the nations and kings around them would recognize the people under His authority and dominion.
The nations will see your [Zion’s] righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name which the mouth of YHWH will designate. You will also be a crown of beauty [a’teret tif’eret] in the hand of Yhvh, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
In the Southern kingdom approx. 200 years after Isaiah, we read of a fallen crown, the people had fallen so far away from Adonai that their destruction was inevitable. In 597 BC The Babylonians invaded Judah and into Jerusalem and set up Zedekiah as a puppet king. The Babylonians came back in 587 B.C. and completely destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple when Zedekiah made an alliance with Egypt to fight back. Zedekiah was captured, they blinded him, and he was imprisoned for the remainder of his life.
Jeremiah 13:18
Say to the king and the queen mother, “Take a lowly seat, for your beautiful crown [a’teret tif’ar’tekem] has come down from your head.”
The crown was removed from the kingdom as Judah fell to the Babylonians conquest and the people were exiled from their home and dragged as slaves to a foreign land, Jerusalem was seized and it is recorded inLamentation 5:15-21.
The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned into mourning. The crown [a’teret] has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned! Because of this our heart is faint, because of these things our eyes are dim; because of Mount Zion which lies desolate, foxes prowl in it.
You, O YHWH, rule forever; Your throne is from generation to generation. Why do You forget us forever? Why do You forsake us so long? Restore us to You, O YHWH, that we may be restored; renew our days as of old.
Ezekiel, who was a contemporary of Jeremiah, came to the same conclusion that Israels’ crown had fallen. Sadly, at that time, the ancient Hebrew people took all the wonderful things they had been given by Adonai and turned it all against Him: recorded in
Ezekiel 16:11-17
YHWH: “I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your hands and a necklace around your neck. I also put a ring in your nostril, earrings in your ears and a beautiful crown [wa-a’teret tif’eret] on your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your dress was of fine linen, silk and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey and oil; so you were exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty. Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendour which I bestowed on you,” declares the Lord YHWH.
The reality was that the children of Israel took off their crowns of wisdom, melted them down, and made gods out of them, they took what was once beautiful and inherently good, and they warped and corrupted it. Adonai stripped them of any crowns they still possessed because of their disobedience and perverted ways.
Ezekiel 21:24a, 26-27
Therefore, thus says the Lord YHWH, ‘Because you have made your iniquity to be remembered… remove the turban and take off the crown [w-harim ha-a’tarah]; this will no longer be the same. Exalt that which is low and abase that which is high. A ruin, a ruin, a ruin, I will make it. This also will be no more until He comes whose right it is, and I will give it to Him.’
The crown and turban imagery signified a priest-king, but those terms no longer belonged together. This crown would be removed until the rightful owner came to claim it; YHWH would give it to Him and until that time the king of Judah was no more.
The Davidic dynasty had certainly fallen a long way from what Adonai meant it to be, however YHWH never gave up on His promise to David that his throne would endure forever in spite of the failures. An anointed One would come from David’s line, who would re-establish the throne of Judah. This Mashiach – Messiah – Anointed One would be a Savior to the people.
Psalm 89:34-39
YHWH: “My covenant I will not violate, nor will I alter the utterance of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. His descendants shall endure forever and his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established forever like the moon, and the witness in the sky is faithful. Selah! But You have cast off and rejected, You have been full of wrath against Your anointed. You have spurned the covenant of Your servant; You have profaned his crown [nizrow] in the dust.”
Atarah & Nezer: Two Crowns yet one King.
We have looked at earthly crowns and mentioned the crowns that believers may be worthy to receive, however there is one crown that we cannot and that is theCrown of Thorns.
Yeshua ha-Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah) repeatedly claimed that He came to bring forth the Kingdom of God on earth:
Luke 17:20-21
But the children of Israel were expecting a very different kind of king and kingdom. They were expecting a Messiah, Who as a warrior, would challenge and defeat Rome, not a Humble Messiah Who would willingly lay down His life, Who would save humanity from death itself.
Sadly they couldn’t see the bigger picture, so they rejected Yeshua and in an act of mockery dressed him up like a king before His crucifixion:
John 19:1-15 also Matthew 27:27-31 & Mark 15:16-20. Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown [Greek: stephanon] of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face.
Yeshua was not crowned with gold, but with thorns,
He was anointed with oil, not for kingship but for His funeral.
John 12:1-8;
and now He was raised up,
not onto a throne, but onto a cross.
An outline of the mission of YHWH’s Anointed One is given inPsalm 132.The Messiah, from the line of David, would spring forth in Zion, and there His nezer/crown would shine, identifying Him as God’s chosen Priest-King:
Psalm 132:13-18
There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine Anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown [niz’row] shall shine.”
Yeshua/Jesus opened up a Way for us all to wear crowns, as Adonai’s royal children.
Peter spoke of the unfading crown of gloryin 1 Peter 5:4;
James spoke ofthe crown of life in James 1:12;
and Paul wrote to Timothy about the
crown of righteousness in 2 Timothy 4:8.
All these crowns are available for those who love and follow Him.
Yeshua’s sacrifice placed Him in the grave but He didn’t stay there. He made the Way for us to rise up from the grave and have eternal life. Through the Messiah the northern (Ephraim) and the southern (Judah) kingdoms would reunite and all of God’s people would be free, shining like the stones of His crown:
Zechariah 9:11-13, 16 And YHWH their God will save them in that day as the flock of His people; for they are as the stones of a crown [nezer], sparkling in His land.
Yeshua/Jesus brought the Kingdom to earth. He came to save us from the finality of death and to allow us to live, crowned in the presence of YHWH, as His daughters and sons, we bear the royal crown. It’s not always easy to live as His image bearers on earth, but we are called to shine, like sparkling stones of a crown.
We are told He will return inRevelation 19:12with manycrownsonHis head. Which was prophesied inMalachi 3:2-3
He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. This phrase emphasizes the penetrating and purifying nature of Christ’s vision. In biblical symbolism, fire often represents judgment and purification.
In another reference in Revelation 19:12. we are told that:
His eyes are flames of fire. On His head are many crowns.
His eyes were as a flame of fire… pointing to the piercing and all-penetrating nature of His wisdom.
On His head were many crowns... referring to the multitude of His conquests, and the extent of His dominion.
Rev. 3:11. I am coming soon Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown, ….your nezer
Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith]. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one may rob you and deprive you. …..of your nezer, which is a symbol of regal power, holiness and dedication and of a divine covenant with our promised Messiah.
12 The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it.
What a promise! What a future!
Nezer is so much more than a simple crown.
Just as the 24 elders in heaven cast their crowns before Him, symbolizing that they recognized His ultimate authority and supreme worthiness. These elders’ actions represent
deep worship
surrender
and
a powerful lesson in humility;
any honor, success, or achievement we receive
ultimately belongs to Him.
For us today in our daily lives, this is a challenge to recognize that our talents and achievements are gifts from our Heavenly Father and should be used to glorify Him, not ourselves. We should continually acknowledge His sovereignty in every aspect of our lives. His Word always offers hope and perspective, reassuring believers that the trials and tribulations of this life are temporary, and that enduring them faithfully will be rewarded in His Kingdom.
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
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