στέμμα (G4725) — Greek Lexicon

στέμμα

stémma

G4725 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A wreath, garland, or crown made of foliage or flowers, typically worn on the head as an ornamental headdress. The primary sense denotes a woven or plaited band placed around the head, associated with distinction, victory, ceremonial celebration, or religious ritual.

Semantic Range

wreath, garland, ornamental crown of foliage or flowers, ceremonial fillet, ritual band, headdress

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Greek root στέμ-, ultimately linked to στέφω ('to encircle, to crown, to put around'), and closely related to στέφανος, which more generally means 'wreath, crown.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, στέμμα referred to a fillet, band, or wreath, particularly one used in sacred or ceremonial contexts: for example, on the heads of victors, participants in religious rites, or as decoration for offerings and temples. It could specifically designate a fillet or band used as a ritual ornament, distinct from the more general στέφανος, which could be either a crown or wreath of victory. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, στέμμα retained its ceremonial connotations but could also be used for garlands at banquets or festivals. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term chiefly occurs in references to ritual objects or symbols of honor, rarely if ever as a symbol of political power. Standard English translations often render στέμμα as 'garland' or 'wreath,' but do not always capture the ceremonial or ritual nuance present in ancient usage. In contrast to στέφανος, which by the New Testament period often signifies a victor's or martyr's crown, στέμμα retains a more explicit connection to ritual, offering, or festal ornamentation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of στέφανος; a wreath for show:--garland.

Root Family

στέμμα (stémma) — to encircle, to place around, to adorn; wreath, garland, ornamental crown

Root στέμ- to encircle, to place around, to adorn

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4725-01`	στέμματα	stemmata	`N ACC N PL`	garlands	wreaths	wreaths	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4725-01`	Acts 14:13	στέμματα	stemmata	`N ACC N PL`	garlands	wreaths	wreaths

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