CROWN. There is frequent mention in the Scripture of Crowns, and the use of them seems to be very common among the Hebrews. The High Priest wore a Crown, which girt about his Mitre, or the lower part of his Bonnet, and was tied behind his head. On the forepart was a plate of Gold, with three words engraven on it, Holiness to the Lord. It seems as if private Priests, and even common Israelites, wore also a sort of Crown, since God commands Ezekiel not to take off his Crown, Ecclus. xlv. 14. Ezek. xxiv. 17, 23. פאר Peer.nor assume the marks of one in mourning. Which shewed that the Israelites in their Captivity should act after this manner, and should not be able to express their Sorrow for the death of their Relations. This Crown was nothing more than a Ribbon or Fillet, in Hebrew called Peer, with which the Jews girt their Head; a custom practised by them and several other People in the East, who wore nothing else upon their Heads besides this Fillet or Ribbon, which differed in colour only and value from the Diadem of Princes. When Moses commanded the Israelites to bind the words of the Law for a sign upon their Hands, See our Comment upon Ex. xxiv. 17. Isai. lxi. 10. Cant. iii. 11.and to have them as Frontlets fixed between their Eyes, he intimates the use of Crowns and Bracelets among them.
New married People of both Sexes wore Crowns, but richer and more beautiful, than were generally used. In prosperity it was customary for People to put on o Bar. Nachman in Bereschit. Rab. c. 22. Thalmud. tract. Sanhedr. c. 4. p Mishna c. 6, 4, 14, 15. Crowns of Flowers, on Festivals, and other joyful occasions.
Wisd. ix. 8. 2 Mac. iv. 7. Isai. xxviii. 5. 1 Chr. xx. 2. 2 Sam. xii. 30. 2 Chr. xxiii. 11.The Crown, Mitre and Diadem, Royal Fillet, and Tiara, are frequently confounded. Crowns were bestowed on Gods, Kings and Princes, as the principal mark of their Dignity. David took the Crown from the God Moloch, or Melcom, which was of Gold, and enriched with Jewels, and placed it on his own Head; or rather he held it suspended over his Head, for it weighed a Talent, that is to say, 173 Marks, six Ounces, three Drams, one half Dram, twenty two Grains and two sevenths. The Amalekite who valued himself upon killing Saul, brought this Prince’s Diadem or Royal Fillet to David. The Spouse in the 2 Sam. i. 10. Cant. iii. 11.Canticles invites her Companions to see King Solomon with the Diadem, whereof his Mother had made a present to him upon his Wedding day. This was a Fillet made of some rich stuff, adorned with embroidery, and wrought in all probability by Queen Bathsheba. The Diadem was placed upon the Head of young King Josiah, when he was presented to the People, in order to be acknowledged by them. Baruch says, the Idols of the Babylonians wore Gold Crowns. Queens too wore Diadems among the Persians. King Ahasuerus honoured Vashti the Queen Consort with this mark of Power; Baruch vi. 9. Esth. ii. 17. Ezek xvi. 12.and after he had divorced her, granted the same favour to Esther. God says, that he had put a Crown of Gold upon the head of the Jewish Nation, which is represented by him as his Spouse. Gold Crowns were sent to Kings and Conquerors.
1 Mac. x. 20, 29. xiii. 33. & 2 Mac. xiv. 4. 1 Mac. xi. 13. Rev. xii. 3.Kings sometimes used several Diadems, when they were possessed of several Kingdoms. For example, King Solomon having conquered Syria, made his entry at Antioch, and put two Diadems upon his Head, that of Egypt and that of Asia. In the Revelations the Dragon with seven Heads had seven Diadems, one to each Head; and in the same Book, the Beast which sprung out of the Sea with ten Horns, had likewise ten Diadems. Lastly, the eternal Word, the true and faithful Rev. xix. 12.One, had many Diadems on his Head. In capite ejus diademata multa.
Isai. lxi. 10. Ezek. xvi. 12.New married Men and Women wore Crowns upon their Wedding day, as we have already observed of Solomon. Isaiah gives us a further proof of it, Quasi sponsum decoratum corona. And Ezekiel, Coronas speciosas in capitibus eorum. The same Prophet intimates the same thing for the Spouse. Dedi coronam decoris in capite tuo.
Persons of an elevated Dignity wore the same Ornament. Haman tells King Aha- Ahasuerus, that he whom the King was pleased to honour in an extraordinary manner, should be cloathed in Royal Robes, and have a Diadem on his Head; these Honours were in reality conferr’d on Esth. viii. 15.Mordecai: He appeared in publick with a Crown of Gold. Fulgebat vestibus regiis—coronam auream portans in capite.
Lastly, in Feasts, in times of Merriment People wore Crowns or Diadems: but there always was a difference either in form or matter between the Crowns of Kings and great Men, and those of private Persons. The Diadem of Kings was generally a white Fillet bound about their Foreheads, the Extremities whereof being tied behind the Head, fell back upon the neck. Sometimes they were made of Gold Tissue, adorned with Jewels. That of the Jewish High Priest, which is the most antient, whereof we have any description, was a Fillet of Gold, placed upon the Forehead, and tied with a Ribbon of Hyacinth colour, or Azure blue; this Diadem or Crown was not put on till after the High Priest had taken his Bonnet.
Our Saviour’s CROWN of Thorns. Pilate’s Guard set a Crown of Thorns upon the Head of Jesus Christ, with an intention to insult him, he calling himself King of the Jews. We cannot tell of what matter it was compos’d, whether of white Thorn, buck Thorn, the Thorns of the Barberry or Gooseberry, the Sea Rush, or the Acacia; all which have their several Advocates. See Thorn.