In biblical times, the term "crest" is not explicitly mentioned in the Scriptures; however, the concept can be related to various symbols of authority, honor, and identity that are found throughout the Bible. A crest, in historical and heraldic terms, often represents a family, tribe, or nation, signifying lineage and heritage. In the biblical context, similar symbols can be seen in the use of banners, seals, and other emblems that denote identity and authority.

Symbolism and Representation

1. Banners and Standards: In the Bible, banners and standards served a similar purpose to crests, representing tribes and families. Numbers 2:2 states, "The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance from it, each man under his standard, with the banners of his family." These banners were significant in identifying the tribes of Israel and were used during their travels and encampments.

2. Seals and Signets: Seals in the Bible often functioned as a mark of authority and authenticity, akin to a crest. In Genesis 38:18 , Judah gives his seal, cord, and staff as a pledge to Tamar, signifying his identity and authority. Similarly, in Esther 8:8 , the king's edict is sealed with his signet ring, underscoring the irrevocable nature of the decree.

3. Crowns and Diadems: While not crests in the traditional sense, crowns and diadems symbolize authority and honor. In Revelation 19:12 , it is written of Christ, "His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns." These crowns represent His ultimate authority and victory.

4. Tribal and Familial Identity: The concept of a crest can also be seen in the emphasis on tribal and familial identity in the Bible. The genealogies and tribal divisions, such as those detailed in 1 Chronicles, highlight the importance of lineage and heritage, which a crest would traditionally represent.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, symbols akin to crests were used to denote power, authority, and lineage. Kings and nobles often had unique emblems or symbols that represented their rule and family heritage. These symbols were displayed on banners, shields, and other items to convey authority and identity.

Spiritual Significance

From a spiritual perspective, the concept of a crest can be related to the identity and authority believers have in Christ. In 1 Peter 2:9 , it is stated, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This passage emphasizes the spiritual identity and authority bestowed upon believers, akin to a divine crest marking them as God's own.

In summary, while the term "crest" is not directly found in the Bible, its symbolic elements are present in various forms, representing identity, authority, and heritage. These elements are woven throughout the biblical narrative, reflecting the cultural and spiritual significance of such symbols in the lives of God's people.1. (n.) A tuft, or other excrescence or natural ornament, growing on an animal's head; the comb of a cock; the swelling on the head of a serpent; the lengthened feathers of the crown or nape of bird, etc.

2. (n.) The plume of feathers, or other decoration, worn on a helmet; the distinctive ornament of a helmet, indicating the rank of the wearer; hence, also, the helmet.

3. (n.) A bearing worn, not upon the shield, but usually above it, or separately as an ornament for plate, liveries, and the like. It is a relic of the ancient cognizance. See Cognizance.

4. (n.) The upper curve of a horse's neck.

5. (n.) The ridge or top of a wave.

6. (n.) The summit of a hill or mountain ridge.

7. (n.) The helm or head, as typical of a high spirit; pride; courage.

8. (n.) The ornamental finishing which surmounts the ridge of a roof, canopy, etc.

9. (n.) The top line of a slope or embankment.

10. (v. t.) To furnish with, or surmount as, a crest; to serve as a crest for.

11. (v. t.) To mark with lines or streaks, like, or regarded as like, waving plumes.

12. (v. i.) To form a crest.

1890. epaphrizo -- to foam up
... Phonetic Spelling: (ep-af-rid'-zo) Short Definition: I foam out Definition: I foam
out (a metaphor from the seaweed and refuse borne on the crest of waves ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1890.htm - 6k

Herodotus and Xenophon.
... It bore upon its crest the royal line of Astyages and his successors.
Cyrus was, however, the first of the princes whom it held ...
/.../abbott/cyrus the great/chapter i herodotus and xenophon.htm

Hymn for all Hours
... Thou didst chide the raging tempest, when the waves with foaming crest Leaped about
the fragile vessel, buffeted and sore distressed; Wind and wave, their fury ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ix hymn for all hours.htm

Stillness in Storm
... which the fishermen and folk dwelling by the Sea of Galilee with its sudden squalls
would understand: 'Be not pitched about'; now on the crest, now in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/stillness in storm.htm

The Wind Blew Loud, but Diamond Slept a Deep Sleep...
... taken the silver buttons off and put brass ones instead, because they did not think
it polite to Mr. Coleman in his fallen fortunes to let his crest be seen ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 16 the wind blew.htm

The Fig-Tree.
... Let us join, then, the Master and His disciples, as they stand on the crest above
Bethany, and, gazing on that fruitless leaf-bearer, "hear this parable of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xix the fig-tree.htm

Christ's Mission the Revelation of God's Love
... We know what it ought to say. It ought to carry, as on the crest of a great wave,
the conviction of that divine love into our hearts, to be fruitful there. ...
/.../christs mission the revelation of.htm

Continued.
... Lebanon rock with all its woods"leaping across the deep valley of Coelo-Syria, and
smiting Hermon (for which Sirion is a Sidonian name), the crest of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iii early dayscontinued.htm

Sailors' Hymns.
... God of God, "Peace! It is I!". Ridge of the mountain wave, Lower thy crest!
Wall of Euroclydon, Be thou at rest! Sorrow can never ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter x sailors hymns.htm

By the Wayside
... As they reached the crest of a series of ridges there lay before them a long gentle
slope smooth and dun-colored as some soft pelt, dropping down into a tender ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter v by the wayside.htm

The Entry into Jerusalem.
... One of these is a steep footpath, which runs direct over the crest of the hill;
the second runs round its northern shoulder; while the third crosses the ...
/.../ii the entry into jerusalem.htm

Crest (2 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To furnish with, or surmount as, a crest; to serve as a crest for. 11. ... 12.
(vi) To form a crest. Multi-Version Concordance Crest (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/crest.htm - 8k

Comb (3 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) The naked fleshy crest or caruncle on the upper part of the bill or hood
of a cock or other bird. It is usually red. ... (n.) The curling crest of a wave. ...
/c/comb.htm - 8k

Wreath (21 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A garland; a chaplet, esp. one given to a victor. 3. (n.) An appendage to
the shield, placed above it, and supporting the crest (see Illust. of Crest). ...
/w/wreath.htm - 12k

Peacock
... The peacock has a bill of moderate size with an arched tip, its cheeks are bare,
the eyes not large, but very luminous, a crest of 24 feathers 2 inches long ...
/p/peacock.htm - 11k

Zorah (10 Occurrences)
... 31). It was situated on the crest of a hill overlooking the valley of Sorek,
and was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:10). ...
/z/zorah.htm - 11k

Lapwing (2 Occurrences)
... universally admitted to be incorrect. The lapwing had a crest, and resembled
in size and color the hoopoe (Upupa epops). It appears in the ...
/l/lapwing.htm - 8k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... the altars of Baal and cut down the asherah which was upon it, and then blew the
trumpet of alarm, and the people flocked to his standard on the crest of Mount ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Timber (32 Occurrences)
... and twenty; -- called also timmer. 2. (n.) The crest on a coat of arms.
3. (vt) To surmount as a timber does. 4. (n.) That sort ...
/t/timber.htm - 18k

Ridge (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The back, or top of the back; a crest.
2. (n.) A range of hills or mountains, or the upper part ...
/r/ridge.htm - 8k

Etam (5 Occurrences)
... and Eshtaol. On the crest of a rocky knoll, under the village, is a long
tunnel, which may be the "cleft" in which Samson hid. (2 ...
/e/etam.htm - 11k

Crest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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