Brief overview of διάδημα (G1238: diádēma)

Transliteration: diádēma (pronounced dee-AH-day-mah)
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter

The Greek word διάδημα (diádēma) is derived from the verb διαδέω (diadéō), meaning “to bind around.” This root emphasizes the idea of something being wrapped or bound around, typically used in the context of a crown or a royal headband. In ancient times, diádēma referred to a diadem, a type of crown that symbolized authority, royalty, and power. Unlike the typical laurel wreaths awarded in athletic or cultural competitions, a diádēma was specifically associated with kingship and sovereignty. It was often made of fabric, sometimes adorned with jewels, and worn around the head as a symbol of dominion.

Scripture References

Revelation 12:3 – “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns (diádēmata) upon his heads.”

Revelation 13:1 – “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns (diádēmata), and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”

Revelation 19:12 – “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns (diádēmata); and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.”

In these passages from Revelation, the word diádēma is used to signify crowns of authority and dominion. In the first two verses, the crowns are associated with the dragon and the beast, symbolizing their power and influence. In the final verse, the crowns are worn by Christ, representing His supreme and ultimate authority.

Detailed Lexicon Description

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich) defines diádēma as a “royal headband” or “crown,” emphasizing its role as a symbol of authority and kingship. BDAG also notes the usage of diádēma in the New Testament, particularly in Revelation, where it underscores the concept of sovereignty, whether used in reference to Christ or figures of evil.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon similarly highlights the term as a symbol of royal authority. Thayer’s expands on the idea that the diádēma was not just a crown but a specific type of crown that denoted a higher level of power, often associated with rulers and monarchs.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) also aligns with these definitions, describing diádēma as a band or fillet, often worn by royalty. LSJ provides additional context by referencing the use of the term in ancient Greek literature, where it was often used to describe the royal insignia of kings and emperors.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

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1. Herodotus, Histories 8.120 – Herodotus uses the term diádēma to describe the headband worn by Xerxes, the Persian king, as a symbol of his royal authority during his reign.
2. Plutarch, Alexander 45 – Plutarch mentions diádēma in his biography of Alexander the Great, describing the crown worn by the king as a symbol of his imperial power and dominion over the known world.
3. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 855 – In Aeschylus’s tragedy, the diádēma is referenced as a royal symbol worn by kings, underscoring the idea of the diadem as a mark of authority and nobility.

Summary

The Greek word διάδημα (diádēma) is a significant term in both classical and biblical contexts, symbolizing royal authority, kingship, and sovereignty. Derived from the verb διαδέω (diadéō), meaning “to bind around,” diádēma refers to a headband or crown worn by monarchs and rulers as a mark of their power and dominion. In the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Revelation, diádēma is used to denote the crowns of authority worn by figures such as the dragon, the beast, and ultimately, Christ Himself.

Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and LSJ emphasize the royal and authoritative connotations of the term, aligning with its usage in classical Greek literature, where it often appears as a symbol of imperial power. The diádēma was not just an ornamental piece but a crucial element of royal regalia, representing the legitimacy and supreme authority of the wearer.

In summary, diádēma is a profound symbol of rulership and power, both in ancient Greek culture and in the biblical narrative, where it underscores the ultimate authority of Christ as King of Kings.