diadem Summary and Overview

the tiara of a king (Ezek. 21:26; Isa. 28:5; 62:3); the turban (Job 29:14). In the New Testament a careful distinction is drawn between the diadem as a badge of royalty (Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 19:12) and the crown as a mark of distinction in private life. It is not known what the ancient Jewish "diadem" was. It was the mark of Oriental sovereigns. (See CROWN T0000929.)

What the "diadem" of the Jews was we know not. That of other nations of antiquity was a fillet of silk, two inches broad, bound round the head and tied behind. Its invention is attributed to Liber. Its color was generally white, sometimes, however, it was of blue, like that of Darius; and it was sown with pearls or other gems, #Zec 9:16| and enriched with gold. #Re 9:7| It was peculiarly the mark of Oriental sovereigns. In #Es 1:11; 2:17| we have cether for the turban worn by the Persian king, queen or other eminent persons to whom it was conceded as a special favor. The diadem of the king differed from that of others in having an erect triangular peak. The words in #Eze 23:15| mean long and flowing turbans of gorgeous colors. [CROWN]

DI'ADEM . See Crown.

(See CROWN.) The diadem in Gentile nations was a white fillet, two inches broad, bound round the head, the badge of the monarch. In Persia the king's diadem differed from that of the queen and the highest princes, in having an erect triangular peak. In Israel mitsenepheth is always the high priest's turbaned cap, "miter," or "diadem," (Isaiah 28:5) "diadem (tsephirah) of beauty."