The term "crescent" does not appear directly in the Bible; however, it is often associated with the shape of the moon and has cultural and historical significance in biblical times. In the context of the Bible, crescents are mentioned in relation to ornaments and symbols used by various peoples.

Biblical References:

1. Judges 8:21, 26 : The crescent-shaped ornaments are mentioned in the account of Gideon's victory over the Midianites. After the defeat of Zebah and Zalmunna, the Midianite kings, Gideon took the crescent ornaments from their camels' necks. "Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, 'Rise yourself and strike us down, for as a man is, so is his strength.' So Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments that were on the necks of their camels." (Judges 8:21). Later, it is noted that the weight of the gold earrings Gideon collected was significant, including the crescents and pendants. "The weight of the gold earrings he had requested was 1,700 shekels of gold, in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian, as well as the chains on the necks of their camels." (Judges 8:26).

2. Isaiah 3:18 : The prophet Isaiah speaks against the pride and ostentation of the daughters of Zion, mentioning various ornaments, including crescents. "In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents." (Isaiah 3:18). This passage highlights the use of crescents as decorative items, possibly indicating wealth or status.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, crescent-shaped ornaments were commonly used as decorative items and were often associated with lunar deities. The crescent moon was a symbol of various gods and goddesses in neighboring cultures, such as the Mesopotamian moon god Sin. The use of crescent ornaments by the Midianites and their presence among the Israelites suggest cultural exchanges and influences.

The crescent shape, due to its association with the moon, often symbolized fertility, protection, and divine favor. In the biblical narrative, the removal of crescent ornaments from defeated enemies can be seen as a symbolic act of stripping them of their power and divine protection.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the mention of crescents in the Bible serves as a reminder of the Israelites' interactions with surrounding cultures and the constant temptation to adopt foreign practices and symbols. The biblical narrative often emphasizes the need for the Israelites to remain distinct and faithful to Yahweh, avoiding the idolatrous practices of their neighbors.

The removal of crescent ornaments by Gideon can be interpreted as an act of purifying the spoils of war from pagan associations, aligning with the biblical theme of maintaining holiness and devotion to God. Similarly, Isaiah's critique of the daughters of Zion underscores the danger of pride and reliance on external adornments rather than inner righteousness and faithfulness to God.1. (n.) The increasing moon; the moon in her first quarter, or when defined by a concave and a convex edge; also, applied improperly to the old or decreasing moon in a like state.

2. (n.) Anything having the shape of a crescent or new moon.

3. (n.) A representation of the increasing moon, often used as an emblem or badge

4. (n.) A symbol of Artemis, or Diana.

5. (n.) The ancient symbol of Byzantium or Constantinople.

6. (n.) The emblem of the Turkish Empire, adopted after the taking of Constantinople.

7. (n.) Any one of three orders of knighthood; the first instituted by Charles I., king of Naples and Sicily, in 1268; the second by Rene of Anjou, in 1448; and the third by the Sultan Selim III., in 1801, to be conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services.

8. (n.) The emblem of the increasing moon with horns directed upward, when used in a coat of arms; -- often used as a mark of cadency to distinguish a second son and his descendants.

9. (a.) Shaped like a crescent.

10. (a.) Increasing; growing.

11. (v. t.) To form into a crescent, or something resembling a crescent.

12. (v. t.) To adorn with crescents.

7720. saharon -- moon, crescent
... 7719, 7720. saharon. 7721 . moon, crescent. Transliteration: saharon Phonetic
Spelling: (sah-har-one') Short Definition: ornaments. ...
/hebrew/7720.htm - 6k

Gnostic Exposition of the Decalogue.
... First, from being invisible she becomes crescent-shaped, then half moon, then gibbous
and full; and in her wane again gibbous, and in like manner half moon and ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi gnostic exposition of the.htm

Publications
... Crown 8vo. Cloth boards, 5s. CHRISTIANS UNDER THE CRESCENT IN ASIA. By the Rev.
EDWARD L. CUTTS, BA, Author of "Turning Points of Church History," &c. ...
/.../publications.htm

The First Theban Empire
... and the Wady Nazleh; they wind at first along the foot of the hills, and then again
approaching each other, empty themselves into a great crescent or horn ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm

Tertullian Refers Again to the Question of the Origin of all These ...
... these things; that God permitted them; that Esaias finds fault with no garment of
purple, [237] represses no coil, [238] reprobates no crescent-shaped neck ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter x tertullian refers again to.htm

When Diamond Got Round the Corner of the Hay...
... shining. Orion in particular was making the most of his bright belt and golden
sword. But the moon was only a poor thin crescent. There ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 2 when diamond got.htm

Not Wishing to Overload this Long Essay with Too Many Parentheses. ...
... Thus he would not have a right to make millions of Moslems vote with a cross
if they had a prejudice in favor of voting with a crescent. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 47 not wishing to.htm

Guests at an Imperial Banquet
... He was led to a seat at the sigma, or crescent-shaped table of rich mosaic rimmed
with silver, which was pre-eminently the seat of honour. ...
/.../chapter xix guests at an.htm

Of the Fourth Day.
... But the moon wanes monthly, and in a manner dies, being a type of man; then it is
born again, and is crescent, for a pattern of the future resurrection. ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xv of the fourth day.htm

Ep. Iv.
... And you are not to admire the crescent-shaped curves which strangle rather than
cut off the accessible parts of your Highlands, and the strip of mountain ridge ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep iv.htm

The Sun Stayed
... the rocky pass, blind in their fear, behind them the flushed and eager conqueror,
the burst of the sudden tempest and far in the west the crescent moon, the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the sun stayed.htm

Crescent (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Anything having the shape of a crescent or new moon. 3 ... 9. (a.) Shaped
like a crescent. 10. (a.) Increasing; growing. 11. (vt ...
/c/crescent.htm - 8k

Horn (108 Occurrences)
... 16. (n.) One of the curved ends of a crescent; esp., an extremity or cusp
of the moon when crescent-shaped. 17. (n.) The curving ...
/h/horn.htm - 49k

Gorget
... 3. (n.) A small ornamental plate, usually crescent-shaped, and of gilded copper,
formerly hung around the neck of officers in full uniform in some modern armies ...
/g/gorget.htm - 8k

Astronomy
... (b) Chodhesh, "new moon," meaning "new," "fresh." As the Hebrews reckoned their
months from the actual first appearance of the young crescent, chodhesh is most ...
/a/astronomy.htm - 40k

Necklaces (2 Occurrences)
... NIV). Isaiah 3:18 In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their
anklets, the headbands, the crescent necklaces, (WEB NIV). ...
/n/necklaces.htm - 7k

Tiberias (3 Occurrences)
... John 6:23): About the middle of the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, the mountains
fall back from the coast, and leave a roughly crescent-shaped plain ...
/t/tiberias.htm - 15k

Moon (70 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The time occupied by the moon in making one revolution in her orbit;
a month. 4. (n.) A crescent like outwork. See Half-moon. ...
/m/moon.htm - 36k

Crescens (1 Occurrence)

/c/crescens.htm - 7k

Crescents (3 Occurrences)

/c/crescents.htm - 7k

Ashteroth (2 Occurrences)
... the two horns, the abode of the Rephaim (Genesis 14:5). It may be identified with
Ashtaroth preceding; called "Karnaim", ie, the "two-horned" (the crescent moon ...
/a/ashteroth.htm - 7k

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