In biblical times, garlands were often used as symbols of joy, celebration, and honor. They were typically made from flowers, leaves, or vines and were worn on the head or around the neck. The use of garlands is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, reflecting their cultural and religious significance in ancient societies.

Old Testament References

Garlands are mentioned in the context of wisdom and instruction in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 1:8-9 states, "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck." Here, the garland symbolizes the beauty and honor that come from adhering to parental guidance and wisdom.

In the Song of Solomon, garlands are associated with love and beauty. Song of Solomon 1:10-11 says, "Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels. We will make you ornaments of gold, studded with silver." While the term "garland" is not explicitly used, the imagery of adornment and beauty is consistent with the cultural use of garlands.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, garlands appear in the context of idolatry and mistaken worship. In Acts 14:13 , during Paul and Barnabas's visit to Lystra, the priest of Zeus brought bulls and garlands to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them, mistakenly believing them to be gods. "The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them." Here, garlands are associated with pagan rituals and the misdirected worship of false gods.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Garlands in biblical times were not merely decorative; they held deep cultural and religious meanings. They were often used in celebrations, such as weddings and festivals, symbolizing joy and festivity. In religious contexts, garlands could signify honor and reverence, as seen in their use in both true and false worship practices.

The use of garlands in the Bible reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern customs, where they were commonly used in various ceremonies and as symbols of victory and honor. In the Greco-Roman world, garlands were also associated with athletic victories and were awarded to victors in games, a practice that may have influenced some of the New Testament imagery related to crowns and rewards.

Symbolism and Interpretation

From a symbolic perspective, garlands in the Bible can represent the beauty and honor that come from living a life aligned with God's wisdom and commandments. They can also serve as a reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of directing worship and honor to the one true God. The imagery of garlands as adornments of grace and beauty underscores the biblical theme of inner transformation and the outward expression of a life devoted to God.(Acts 14:13). In heathen sacrifices the victims were adorned with fillets and garlands made of wool, with leaves and flowers interwoven. The altar and the priests and attendants were also in like manner adorned. 4725. stemma -- a wreath
... Word Origin from the same as stephanos Definition a wreath NASB Word Usage garlands
(1). garland. From the base of stephanos; a wreath for show -- garland. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4725.htm - 6k

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... They stood upon bases, measuring 6 feet by 4 1/2 feet, ornamented carefully on each
side with garlands hanging in festoons, literally, "garlands, pensile work ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

An Abandoned Heathen Temple.
... where sat the grim image of Runga, incrusted in the congealed oil and ghee of many
anointings, with the lightless lamp before him, faded garlands hanging round ...
/.../hodson/old daniel/chapter sixteen an abandoned heathen.htm

Argument: Christians Abstain from Things Connected with Idol ...
... and Scent of Flowers, for They are Accustomed to Use Them Scattered About Loosely
and Negligently, as Well as to Entwine Their Necks with Garlands; But to ...
/.../chapter xxxviii argument christians abstain from.htm

The Worship of the Church. The Religion of the Primitive ...
... The heathen worship was little better than a solemn show. Its victims adorned
with garlands. CHAPTER I. THE WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the worship of.htm

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... moving in spread-eagle fashion, hung in a jacket of sail-cloth attached to cables,
across the fronts of buildings, looping garlands, besticking banners and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

C the Coronet
... My Saviour's head have crown'd,. I seek with garlands to redress that wrong: Through
every garden, every mead,. ... Footnotes: [99] towers, garlands to crown a girl. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/c the coronet.htm

Happy Children and Prosperous Days
... The little girls of Kallias wreathed garlands of laurel and parsley, entwined
with roses, with which they were to crown the victors. ...
/.../chapter lxxi happy children and.htm

Deified and Stoned
... Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands
unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.14. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/deified and stoned.htm

Plus Ultra Vs. Ne Plus Ultra.
... Loving hands were impatient to wreathe their brows with the garlands of victory.
But, alas! those hopes have been blighted and those garlands have withered. ...
/.../iii plus ultra vs ne plus.htm

Acts XIV
... (13) "Then the priest of the Jupiter that was before the city brought bulls and
garlands to the gates, and, with the people, wished to offer sacrifices to them ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiv.htm

Garlands (4 Occurrences)
... In heathen sacrifices the victims were adorned with fillets and garlands made of
wool, with leaves and flowers interwoven. ...Garlands (4 Occurrences). ...
/g/garlands.htm - 7k

Garland (6 Occurrences)
... gar'-land (stemma, "wreath"): Mentioned only in Acts 14:13, where it is said that
the priest of Jupiter brought oxen and garlands unto the gates with which to ...
/g/garland.htm - 9k

Garlic (1 Occurrence)

/g/garlic.htm - 8k

Zeus (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:13 And the priest of Zeus--the temple of Zeus being at the entrance to the
city--brought bullocks and garlands to the gates, and in company with the ...
/z/zeus.htm - 8k

Oxen (176 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:13 The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought
oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with ...
/o/oxen.htm - 38k

Jupiter (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:13 The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought
oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with ...
/j/jupiter.htm - 10k

Gates (156 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:13 The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought
oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with ...
/g/gates.htm - 40k

Garnish (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Overlay with stones (2 Chronicles 3:6), adorn (Revelation
21:19), deck with garlands (Matthew 23:29), furnish (12:44). ...
/g/garnish.htm - 9k

Wreaths (9 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:13 The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought
oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with ...
/w/wreaths.htm - 9k

Intending (24 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:13 And the priest of Zeus--the temple of Zeus being at the entrance to the
city--brought bullocks and garlands to the gates, and in company with the ...
/i/intending.htm - 13k

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