στέφανος, -ου, ὁ
(< στέφω, to encircle), [in LXX chiefly for עֲטָרָה;]
1. that which surrounds or encompasses (as a wall, a crowd: Hom., al.).
2. a crown, i.e. the wreath, garland or chaplet given as a prize for victory, as a festal ornament, or as a public honour for distinguished service or personal worth (so to sovereigns, especially on the occasion of a παρουσία, q.v.; cf. Deiss., LAE, 372 ff.; on its use in LXX for the golden crown of royalty (prop., διάδημα, q.v., cf. Hort and Mayor on Ja 1:12): Mt 27:29, Mk 15:17, Jo 19:2, 5, I Co 9:25, Re 4:4, 106:29:712:114:14. Metaph.: Phl 4:1, Re 3:11; τ. δικαιοσύνης (cf. Deiss., LAE, 312), II Ti 4:8; τ. δόξης, I Pe 5:4; καυχήσεως, I Th 2:19 (v. M, Th., in l.); τ. ζωῆς (gen. appos.), Ja 1:12, Re 2:10.†