throne Summary and Overview

(Heb. kiss'e), a royal chair or seat of dignity (Deut. 17:18; 2 Sam. 7:13; Ps. 45:6); an elevated seat with a canopy and hangings, which cover it. It denotes the seat of the high priest in 1 Sam. 1:9; 4:13, and of a provincial governor in Neh. 3:7 and Ps. 122:5. The throne of Solomon is described at length in 1 Kings 10:18-20.

The Hebrew word so translated applies to any elevated seat occupied by a person in authority, whether a high priest, #1Sa 1:9| a judge, #Ps 122:5| or a military chief #Jer 1:16| The use of a chair in a country where the usual postures were squatting and reclining was at all times regarded as a symbol of dignity. #2Ki 4:10; Pr 9:14| In order to specify a throne in our sense of the term, it was necessary to add to the word the notion of royalty; hence the frequent occurrence of such expressions as "throne of the kingdom." #De 17:18; 1Ki 1:46; 2Ch 7:18| The characteristic feature in the royal throne was its elevation: Solomon's throne was approached by six steps, #1Ki 10:19; 2Ch 9:18| and Jehovah's throne is described as "high and lifted up." #Isa 6:1| The materials and workmanship of Solomon's throne were costly. It was made of wood inlaid with ivory and then covered with gold except where the ivory showed. It was furnished with arms or "stays." The steps were also lines with pairs of lions. As to the form of chair, we are only informed in #1Ki 10:19| that "the top was round behind." The king sat on his throne on state occasions. At such times he appeared in his royal robes. The throne was the symbol of supreme power and dignity. #Ge 41:40| Similarly, "to sit upon the throne" implied the exercise of regal power. #De 17:18; 1Ki 16:11|

THRONE , the seat of a king on state occasions. In the East the usual position is squatting or reclining; hence a chair is a seat of some dignity. 2 Kgs 4:10. The word "chair," with the notion of royalty, is the Hebrew word for "throne," the chair of the king, such as David, 2 Sam 3:10, and Solomon sat upon, 1 Kgs 2:12; 1 Kgs 7:7, when they dispensed judgment. The throne of Solomon was quite unique. 1 Kgs 10:20. It was made of wood inlaid with ivory and covered with gold, except where the ivory showed. It was approached by six steps, each step having upon it two lions; thus the twelve lions symbolized the twelve tribes. The chair had arms, upon which were lions. (See cut.) The back was rounded. When the king sat upon his throne he was clad in royal robes. 1 Kgs 22:10; Acts 12:21. Naturally, the throne being the sign A Chair of State or Throne. (From Assyrian Monuments at Khorsabad. After Layard.) of royalty, the word is applied to the centre of divine authority and used in other figurative ways.

(1) Of a king; (2) of a judge or a priest (Psalm 122:5). Solomon's throne (1 Kings 10:19) was a chair of ivory with circular back and arms, overlaid with gold, raised on six steps; on each side of each step was a lion of gold, and there was "a footstool of gold fastened to the throne" (2 Chronicles 9:18). Usually set on a dais and under a canopy (so the "rainbow about the throne" of the Almighty, Revelation 4:3). For "seats" translated, thrones in Revelation 4:4 and Revelation 11:16. So in Revelation 2:13 Satan mimics Christ's "throne." "Thrones" in Colossians 1:16 are a princely order of angels, higher than "dominions" or lordships. Reclining or sitting on the ground being the usual postures, a chair marked dignity (2 Kings 4:10; Proverbs 9:14). To express royalty "throne of the kingdom" was the phrase (1 Kings 1:46). Elevation marked the king's throne, from whence Jehovah's throne is "high and lifted up" (Isaiah 6:1). "The throne of the governor" in Nehemiah 3:7 is his official house where his throne was, on or near the city wall.