Garland
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
denotes "a wreath" (from stepho, "to put around, enwreath"), as used in sacrifices, Acts 14:13 .
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [2]
Garland . The ‘garlands’ (Gr. stemmata ) of Acts 14:13 were probably intended to be put on the heads of the sacrificial victims. For the use of a garland (Gr. stephanos ) as a prize to the victor in the games, see art. Crown, § 2 , and cf. Games.
Holman Bible Dictionary [3]
Proverbs 1:9 Proverbs 4:9 Isaiah 61:3 61:10 Acts 14:13
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [4]
( Στέμμα , Acts 14:13). (See Wreath). It was customary in heathen sacrifices to adorn victims with fillets and garlands; but commentators are not agreed as to the purpose to which the "garlands" mentioned in the above passage are to be applied. As the idolaters used to put garlands on the head of their idol before they offered sacrifice, it has been thought by others that they were intended to be set on the heads of the apostles. They were generally composed of such trees or plants as were esteemed most agreeable to the god who was the immediate object of worship (see Kuin Ö l and others, in Ioc.). See Rose, De Στεφανοφορίᾷ (Jgia, 1669); Schmid, De Coronis (Lips. 1701); Gerhard, Id. (Jen. 1646); Schmeizel, Id. (ib. 1713); Paschalis, id. (L.B., 1671); Grefe, De corones epularibus (Lips. 1670). (See Crown); (See Wedding).
Garlands in the marriage service. It was usual in the early Church to crown persons contracted in marriage with garlands (Chrysostom, Hom. 9 in 1 Timothy). This practice was derived from the heathen ceremonies; but, as it was deemed innocent, the Christians made no scruple to adopt it. It is still practised in the Greek Church. At funerals, however, the custom of crowning the corpse and the coffin was rejected as savoring of idolatry (Tertullian, De Corona Militis, c. 10). It was usual to strew flowers on the grave. — Riddle, Christian Antiquities, book 7, chapter 3.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [5]
gar´land ( στέμμα , stémma , "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 .
