In biblical times, garlands were decorative wreaths or crowns made from flowers, leaves, or other plant materials. They were often used in various cultural and religious contexts, symbolizing honor, celebration, and victory. The use of garlands is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, reflecting their significance in ancient Near Eastern customs.

Old Testament References

Garlands are not explicitly mentioned in the Old Testament, but the concept of wreaths or crowns made from natural materials can be inferred from various texts. For example, in Proverbs 1:9, wisdom and instruction are metaphorically described as "a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck" . This imagery suggests that garlands were associated with beauty, honor, and the adornment of one's life with wisdom.

In the context of religious practices, garlands may have been used in celebrations and rituals. The Israelites were familiar with the customs of surrounding nations, where garlands were often part of festive occasions and religious ceremonies.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, garlands are mentioned in the context of pagan practices. In Acts 14:13, during the account of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra, the priest of Zeus brought bulls and garlands to the city gates, intending to offer sacrifices to them after the people mistook them for 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" . This incident highlights the use of garlands in Greco-Roman religious rituals, where they symbolized offerings and honor to deities.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

Garlands in the biblical context often symbolize victory, celebration, and honor. They were used in various cultural settings, from religious ceremonies to public festivities. In the Greco-Roman world, athletes and victors in games were crowned with garlands as a sign of their triumph. This cultural practice is echoed in the New Testament's metaphorical language, where believers are encouraged to strive for the "crown of life" (James 1:12) and the "crown of righteousness" (2 Timothy 4:8), drawing on the imagery of garlands as symbols of spiritual victory and eternal reward.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, garlands can be seen as a representation of the honor and glory bestowed upon those who live according to God's wisdom and righteousness. The metaphorical use of garlands in Scripture underscores the value of spiritual adornment and the pursuit of virtues that reflect God's character. The imagery of garlands as crowns also points to the ultimate reward for believers who remain faithful, emphasizing the eternal significance of living a life pleasing to God.

In summary, while garlands are not a central theme in the Bible, their presence in the text provides insight into the cultural and religious practices of the time. They serve as a powerful symbol of honor, victory, and the beauty of a life adorned with wisdom and righteousness.1. (n.) The crown of a king.

2. (n.) A wreath of chaplet made of branches, flowers, or feathers, and sometimes of precious stones, to be worn on the head like a crown; a coronal; a wreath.

3. (n.) The top; the thing most prized.

4. (n.) A book of extracts in prose or poetry; an anthology.

5. (n.) A sort of netted bag used by sailors to keep provision in.

6. (n.) A grommet or ring of rope lashed to a spar for convenience in handling.

7. (v. t.) To deck with a garland.

GARLAND

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 offer sacrifices unto Barnabas and Paul. The rendering "oxen and garlands," instead of "oxen garlanded," seems to imply that the garlands were for the priests and altar and worshippers themselves, as well as for the victims sacrificed. Only occasionally did the Hebrews use such ornaments for themselves, and that almost altogether in their later history.

See CROWN.

4725. stemma -- a wreath
... a wreath. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: stemma Phonetic Spelling:
(stem'-mah) Short Definition: a garland Definition: a garland, wreath, crown. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4725.htm - 6k

4735. stephanos -- that which surrounds, ie a crown
... ie a crown. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: stephanos Phonetic
Spelling: (stef'-an-os) Short Definition: a crown, garland Definition: a crown ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4735.htm - 7k

6287b. peer -- headdress, turban
... 6287a, 6287b. peer. 6288 . headdress, turban. Transliteration: peer
Short Definition: garland. Word Origin from paar Definition ...
/hebrew/6287b.htm - 5k

3880. livyah -- a wreath
... 3879, 3880. livyah. 3881 . a wreath. Transliteration: livyah Phonetic
Spelling: (liv-yaw') Short Definition: garland. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3880.htm - 6k

8333. sharsherah -- chain
... chain. From sharash (compare sharshah); a chain; (arch.) Probably a garland -- chain.
see HEBREW sharash. see HEBREW sharshah. 8332, 8333. sharsherah. 8334 > ...
/hebrew/8333.htm - 6k

"How Might any Pain be More to Me than to See Him that is all My ...
... How it was done I saw not; but understood it was with the sharp thorns and the violent
and grievous setting on of the Garland of Thorns, unsparingly and ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xvii how might any.htm

Argument: Christians Abstain from Things Connected with Idol ...
... And in this respect I the more wonder at you, in the way in which you apply to a
lifeless person, or to one who does not feel, a torch; or a garland [1837] to ...
/.../chapter xxxviii argument christians abstain from.htm

January the Fifth the Flowers that Never Fade
... The world's garland begins to fade as soon as it is laid upon the brow. ... But the garland
of God's praise acquires new grace and beauty with the years. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/january the fifth the flowers.htm

On the Immeasurable Joys of Heaven.
... times brighter than the sun's light, swift, subtle, and to suffering, impassive;
then I shall put on her the crown of delight, and on the crown a golden garland ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xii on the immeasurable.htm

As Regards Our Reverend Friend Epiphanius, this is Strange ...
... you. This is the garland of praise which he gives you to parade in. ... you. This
is the garland of praise which he gives you to parade in. ...
/.../23 as regards our reverend.htm

Let These Dealers in Crowns Then Recognize in the Meantime the ...
... To Priapus also the same author assigns fillets; and to Ariadne a garland of gold
and of Indian gems, the gift of Vulcan, afterwards of Bacchus, and ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter vii let these dealers.htm

Thus was all the Earth Afflicted; and from East to West...
... whom, by repeated trials, he had found unconquerable; and he abstained from challenging
you any more, lest you should have laid hold on the garland of victory ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xvi thus was all.htm

"I Saw . . . As it were in the Time of his Passion . . . And in ...
... IN this [moment] suddenly I saw the red blood trickle down from under the Garland
hot and freshly and right plenteously, as it were in the time of His Passion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/julian/revelations of divine love/chapter iv i saw.htm

'Concerning the Crown'
... idea is expressed, as a rule, by another word in Scripture, which we have Anglicised
as 'diadem.' The 'crown' in all these passages is a garland twisted out of ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/concerning the crown.htm

The Coming of the Pharaoh
... In the center of the group, a pair of hands put forth under the chin of an older
girl, held the ends of the garland with a determined grip. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xiii the coming of.htm

Garland (6 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A grommet or ring of rope lashed to a spar for convenience in handling.
7. (vt) To deck with a garland. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GARLAND. ...
/g/garland.htm - 9k

Headdress (1 Occurrence)
... The Hebrew word peer, used in Isaiah 61:3, there rendered "beauty" (AV) and "garland"
(RV), is a head-dress or turban worn by females (Isaiah 3: 20, "bonnets ...
/h/headdress.htm - 8k

Head-dress (22 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew word peer, used in Isaiah 61:3, there rendered "beauty" (AV) and "garland"
(RV), is a head-dress or turban worn by females (Isaiah 3: 20, "bonnets ...
/h/head-dress.htm - 14k

Garlands (4 Occurrences)

/g/garlands.htm - 7k

Garizim
Garizim. Gareb, Garizim. Garland . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia GARIZIM.
gar'-i-zim. See GERIZIM. Gareb, Garizim. Garland . Reference Bible.
/g/garizim.htm - 6k

Wreath (21 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Something twisted, intertwined, or curled; as, a wreath of smoke; a wreath
of flowers. 2. (n.) A garland; a chaplet, esp. one given to a victor. ...
/w/wreath.htm - 12k

Terebinths (12 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 61:3 to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland
for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit ...
/t/terebinths.htm - 10k

Decks (2 Occurrences)
... for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the
robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a ...
/d/decks.htm - 7k

Diadem (9 Occurrences)
... he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe
of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a ...
/d/diadem.htm - 11k

Priestly (16 Occurrences)
... he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe
of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a ...
/p/priestly.htm - 11k

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