A diadem is a type of crown or headband that symbolizes authority, royalty, and honor. In biblical times, it was often associated with kingship and divine favor. The term "diadem" appears in several passages throughout the Bible, each highlighting its significance in different contexts.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the diadem is often mentioned in relation to the adornment of kings and the high priest. Isaiah 28:5 states, "On that day the LORD of Hosts will be a crown of glory, a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of His people." Here, the diadem symbolizes God's glory and the honor bestowed upon His faithful remnant. It signifies divine approval and the beauty of holiness.

Ezekiel 21:26 provides another reference: "This is what the Lord GOD says: Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are; exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted." In this passage, the diadem represents the authority and status that God can give or take away according to His will. It underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over human affairs.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the imagery of the diadem is used to describe the majesty and authority of Christ. Revelation 19:12 describes the victorious Christ: "His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows." The "many crowns" or diadems signify Christ's supreme authority and His rightful rule over all creation. This imagery emphasizes His ultimate victory and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Symbolism and Significance

The diadem, as a symbol of authority and honor, is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative. It represents not only earthly kingship but also divine authority and the ultimate sovereignty of God. In the context of biblical prophecy and eschatology, the diadem serves as a reminder of the coming reign of Christ, who will establish His kingdom with justice and righteousness.

Throughout Scripture, the diadem is a powerful symbol of the relationship between God and His people. It reflects the honor and glory that God bestows upon those who are faithful to Him, as well as the ultimate authority of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords.The tiara of a king (Ezek. 21:26; Isaiah 28:5; 62:3); the turban (Job 29:14). In the New Testament a careful distinction is drawn between the diadem as a badge of royalty (Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 19:12) and the crown as a Mark of distinction in private life. It is not known what the ancient Jewish "diadem" was. It was the Mark of Oriental sovereigns. (see CROWN.) 1. (n.) Originally, an ornamental head band or fillet, worn by Eastern monarchs as a badge of royalty; hence (later), also, a crown, in general.

2. (n.) Regal power; sovereignty; empire; -- considered as symbolized by the crown.

3. (n.) An arch rising from the rim of a crown (rarely also of a coronet), and uniting with others over its center.

4. (v. t.) To adorn with a diadem; to crown.

DIADEM

di'-a-dem: There are seven Bible references to the diadem, four in the Old Testament and three in the New Testament. The Hebrew words do not mark any clear distinctions.

(1) tsaniph, tsanoph, tsaniphah (all from tsanaph, primarily "to wrap," "dress," "roll") mean a headdress in the nature of a turban or piece of cloth wrapped or twisted about the head. The word is also rendered "hood," "mitre." Job 29:14: "My justice was as a robe and a diadem" (RVm, "turban"); Isaiah 62:3: "a royal diadem in the hand of thy God."

(2) tsephirah, means "a crown," "diadem," i.e. something round about the head; Isaiah 28:5 "a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people."

(3) mitsnepheth, means an official turban or tiara of priest or king, translated also "mitre." Ezekiel 21:26: "Remove the mitre, and take off the crown."

(4) diadema, the Greek word in the New Testament for "diadem," means "something bound about the head." Found 3 t, all in Revelation 12:3: "a great red dragon. and upon his heads seven diadems" (the King James Version "crowns"); Revelation 13:1: "a beast. and on his horns ten diadems"; 19:11, 12: "a white horse. and upon his head are many diadems." See CROWN.

William Edward Raffety

1238. diadema -- a diadem, a crown
... a diadem, a crown. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: diadema Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-ad'-ay-mah) Short Definition: a head-wreath, crown Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1238.htm - 7k6843. tsephirah -- a plait, chaplet, perhaps doom
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a plait, chaplet, perhaps doom
NASB Word Usage diadem (1), doom (2). diadem, morning. ...
/hebrew/6843.htm - 6k

6797. tsaniph -- a turban
... turban. Word Origin from tsanaph Definition a turban NASB Word Usage diadem
(1), turban (3), turbans (1). diadem, hood, mitre. Or ...
/hebrew/6797.htm - 6k

4701. mitsnepheth -- turban (of the high priest)
... diadem, mitre. From tsanaph; a tiara, ie Official turban (of a king or high priest) --
diadem, mitre. see HEBREW tsanaph. 4700, 4701. mitsnepheth. 4702 . ...
/hebrew/4701.htm - 6k

3804. kether -- a crown
... Word Origin from kathar Definition a crown NASB Word Usage crown (3). circlet, diadem.
From kathar; properly, a circlet, ie A diadem: see HEBREW kathar. ...
/hebrew/3804.htm - 6k

How Aristobulus was the First that Put a Diadem About his Head ...
... CHAPTER 3. How Aristobulus Was The First That Put A Diadem About His Head; And After
He Had Put His Mother And Brother To Death, Died Himself, When He Had ...
/.../chapter 3 how aristobulus was.htm

How Aristobulus, when He had Taken the Government First of all Put ...
... How Aristobulus, When He Had Taken The Government First Of All Put A Diadem On His
Head, And Was Most Barbarously Cruel To His Mother And His Brethren; And How ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how aristobulus when.htm

The Profane and Wicked Prince of Israel
... "And thou, profane wicked Prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall
have an end, thus saith the Lord God; remove the diadem, and take off the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/19 the profane and wicked.htm

Herod is Confirmed in his Kingdom by Caesar, and Cultivates a ...
... However, the king resolved to expose himself to dangers: accordingly he sailed to
Rhodes, where Caesar then abode, and came to him without his diadem, and in ...
/.../chapter 20 herod is confirmed.htm

In the Birth of the Son Light Dawned, --And Darkness Fled from the ...
... he has not"the diadem of a king and of a throne;"and what have ye seen that ye should
pay honour to Him,"as to a king, with your treasures?". 23. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xv in the birth.htm

A Crown Op Pride or a Crown of Glory
... looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.5. In that day
shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a crown op pride or.htm

The Best Introduction to this Production Will be the Following ...
... And when this word was spoken, all the statues fell upon their faces, that of Pege
alone standing, on which also a royal diadem was found placed, having on its ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/the best introduction to this.htm

The Crown Book
... II."THE CROWN BOOK. "All hail the power of Jesus' Name! Let angels prostrate
fall: Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown Him Lord of all. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/ii the crown book.htm

Thy Hidden Ones
... No thought of man has pictured them,. No hand may touch that diadem; ... And when
to make His diadem. He bringeth forth each hidden gem,. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/thy hidden ones.htm

Lo! Death was Prompt Beforehand, to Mock Satan
... thou be: for through thee they put a reed in His hand, Who upholds all."9. With
a crown of thorns was He crowned, to signify: that He took the diadem of the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lviii lo death was.htm

Diadem (9 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament a careful distinction is drawn between the diadem as a badge
of royalty (Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 19:12) and the crown as a Mark of ...DIADEM. ...
/d/diadem.htm - 11k

Hood
... Rendered "diadem," Job 29:14; high priest's "mitre," Zechariah 3:5; "royal
diadem,Isaiah 62:3. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) State; condition. ...
/h/hood.htm - 9k

Crown (94 Occurrences)
... The same Hebrew word so rendered (ne'zer) denotes the diadem worn by Saul in battle
(2 Samuel 1:10), and also that which was used at the coronation of Joash (2 ...
/c/crown.htm - 58k

Fasten (28 Occurrences)
... ephod; (See NIV). Exodus 29:6 And thou shalt put the turban upon his head,
and fasten the holy diadem to the turban, (DBY). Exodus 36:13 ...
/f/fasten.htm - 14k

Royalty (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 62:3 And thou hast been a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah, And
a diadem of royalty in the hand of thy God, (YLT). Jeremiah ...
/r/royalty.htm - 9k

Rejoices (30 Occurrences)
... God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with
the robe of victory, as a bridegroom putteth on a priestly diadem, and as a ...
/r/rejoices.htm - 14k

Royal (154 Occurrences)
... the city of the kingdom, meaning here that part of the city (Rabbah) in which the
royal palace was situated (2 Samuel 12:26); "royal diadem," literally, turban ...
/r/royal.htm - 42k

Diadems (1 Occurrence)

/d/diadems.htm - 6k

Thin (39 Occurrences)
... Exodus 39:30 And they made the thin plate, the holy diadem, of pure gold, and wrote
on it with the writing of the engravings of a seal, Holiness to Jehovah! ...
/t/thin.htm - 19k

Mitre (10 Occurrences)
... 21:26, this Hebrew word is rendered "diadem," but in the Revised Version, "mitre."
It was a twisted band of fine linen, 8 yards in length, coiled into the form ...
/m/mitre.htm - 12k

What does diadem mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Diadem: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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