στεφανόω

From the study of Hebrews 2:7

Range of meaning

To put a stephanos (a wreath or garland, sometimes of gold) on someone. Wreaths were given to athletic victors, to benefactors honored by cities, at feasts, and to rulers. Figuratively it means to honor or reward. Hebrew ʿiṭṭer (Ps 8:6) means 'surround, crown.'

Against the English

'Crowned' is right. Modern readers may picture only a jeweled royal crown. A stephanos was often the victor's or the benefactor's wreath, and Greek separated it from the diadēma, the band worn by kings. In the Psalm, though, the image is royal.

How it drifted

English 'crown' has narrowed to monarchy, but the ancient word covered victory, civic honor and kingship together.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in the Septuagint for crowning with honor (Ps 8:6; Ps 65:11 → LXX 64:12, 'you crown the year'). In the New Testament it describes the athlete who 'is not crowned' unless he competes by the rules (2 Tim 2:5). Matching nouns appear in Revelation and in honorific inscriptions.

From the study of Hebrews 2:9

Range of meaning

στεφανόω means 'to put a wreath (στέφανος) on'. Wreaths went to athletic victors, honoured benefactors, kings and banquet guests. δόξα means reputation, splendour, and in the Bible God's radiant presence. τιμή means honour, recognised worth, price.

Against the English

'Crowned' can suggest a jewelled royal crown to modern ears. The Greek covers a victor's wreath and civic honours as well as royal status. 'Glory and honor' is accurate, but English readers may hear it as vague praise rather than a public change in someone's standing.

Used elsewhere in the period

Psalm 8:6 LXX: δόξῃ καὶ τιμῇ ἐστεφάνωσας αὐτόν. There it is humanity's royal status over creation, echoing Genesis 1:26–28. Greek inscriptions regularly honour benefactors with 'a golden crown' and 'honours' (τιμαί). Hebrews 12:2 speaks of Jesus 'despising the shame' of the cross and sitting at God's right hand.

From the study of 2 Timothy 2:5

Range of meaning

To put a stephanos (a wreath or garland) on someone. The wreath was given for athletic victory, civic honour, festivals or banquets. Figuratively it meant to honour or reward. It differs from diadēma, the royal headband that marked kingship.

Against the English

English 'crown' makes most readers picture a king's jewelled gold crown. Paul's readers pictured a ring of leaves: wild olive at Olympia, laurel at Delphi, wild celery at Nemea, pine or dried celery at Isthmia near Corinth. NASB and NLT use 'win the prize', which keeps the idea of reward but loses the image. NIV's 'the victor's crown' is the clearest.

How it drifted

The English word 'crown' covers both the king's diadem and the victor's wreath. In church use the royal sense has come to dominate.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament the verb appears here and in Hebrews 2:7, 9, quoting Psalm 8 ('crowned with glory and honour'). The noun stephanos is used for the victory wreath in 1 Cor 9:25 ('a perishable wreath… an imperishable one') and for the 'crown of righteousness' in 2 Tim 4:8. Greek inscriptions constantly record cities 'crowning' benefactors and victors.