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στέφανος

stéphanos

G4735 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A wreath, garland, or crown formed by twining or weaving branches, leaves, or flowers, used as a symbol of honor, victory, distinction, or festivity. In various contexts, denotes (1) a victor’s wreath awarded in athletic or public contests; (2) an honorary garland for recognizing achievement or status; (3) a symbol of royal or imperial distinction, though distinct from a formal diadem (διάδημα); (4) figuratively, represents a reward, culmination of effort, or source of pride.

Semantic Range

wreath, garland, victor’s crown, honorific crown, festive crown, symbol of achievement or distinction, figurative crown or reward

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root στέφω, meaning 'to encircle, to crown, to wreath.' The noun στέφανος thus denotes something that is encircled or wrapped around, typically the head.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, στέφανος primarily denoted a physical wreath or garland worn on the head during festive occasions, religious rites, or as a mark of victory in athletic competitions (such as the Olympic Games) or triumph in war. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, it continued to be awarded for athletic, civic, or military distinction but was generally distinct from διάδημα, the 'diadem,' which signified sovereign power. The Septuagint uses στέφανος for types of crowns or garlands, sometimes translating Hebrew עֲטָרָה (ʿatarah). In the New Testament, στέφανος can refer to a literal wreath or, more commonly, a figurative reward awaiting the righteous (e.g., 'crown of life'); it also appears in the context of mockery (Matthew 27:29, the 'crown of thorns'). English translations usually render στέφανος as 'crown,' but this may obscure the difference between a laurel wreath (a symbol of achievement or honor) and a royal crown (διάδημα).

Translation Consistency

primary "crown" 12 occurrences

'Crown' naturally covers both the literal wreath/garland given to victors and the common figurative sense of an honor or reward. It is the most familiar, natural English term readers expect (and is widely used in translations) while still allowing the more literal sense of a woven wreath. Choosing 'crown' ensures consistent, idiomatic renderings across all forms of στέφανος.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"wreath-crown" (5x) "victors’ wreaths" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an apparently primary (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, διάδημα), literally or figuratively:--crown.

Root Family

στεφ- (stéphanos) — to encircle, to crown, to wreath

Root στεφ- to encircle, to crown, to wreath
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4736 Στέφανος to Stephanos

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4735-02 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG crown a victor’s wreath a victor’s crown 10
G4735-03 στέφανός stephanos N VOC M SG crown wreath-crown wreath-crown 5
G4735-04 στεφάνους stephanous N ACC M PL crowns wreath-crowns crowns 2
G4735-01 στέφανοι stephanoi N NOM M PL crowns victors’ wreaths victors’ wreaths 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4735-02 Matthew 27:29 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG a crown a victor’s wreath a victor’s crown
G4735-02 Mark 15:17 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG a crown a victor’s wreath a victor’s crown
G4735-02 John 19:2 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG a crown a victor’s wreath a victor’s crown
G4735-02 John 19:5 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG crown a victor’s wreath crown
G4735-02 1 Corinthians 9:25 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG wreath a victor’s wreath a victor’s crown
G4735-03 Philippians 4:1 στέφανός stephanos N VOC M SG crown wreath-crown wreath-crown
G4735-03 1 Thessalonians 2:19 στέφανος stephanos N NOM M SG crown wreath-crown wreath-crown
G4735-03 2 Timothy 4:8 στέφανος stephanos N NOM M SG crown wreath-crown wreath-crown
G4735-02 James 1:12 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG crown a victor’s wreath a victor’s crown
G4735-02 1 Peter 5:4 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG crown a victor’s wreath crown
G4735-02 Revelation 2:10 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG crown a victor’s wreath a victor’s crown
G4735-02 Revelation 3:11 στέφανόν stephanon N ACC M SG crown a victor’s wreath a victor’s crown
G4735-04 Revelation 4:4 στεφάνους stephanous N ACC M PL crowns wreath-crowns crowns
G4735-04 Revelation 4:10 στεφάνους stephanous N ACC M PL crowns wreath-crowns crowns
G4735-03 Revelation 6:2 στέφανος stephanos N NOM M SG a crown wreath-crown wreath-crown
G4735-01 Revelation 9:7 στέφανοι stephanoi N NOM M PL crowns victors’ wreaths victors’ wreaths
G4735-03 Revelation 12:1 στέφανος stephanos N NOM M SG a crown wreath-crown wreath-crown
G4735-02 Revelation 14:14 στέφανον stephanon N ACC M SG a crown a victor’s wreath a victor’s crown
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