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βῆμα

bēma

G968 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A platform or raised step, typically used for public speaking, official proclamations, or seats of authority. In official and legal contexts, especially in Hellenistic and Roman settings, it denotes the raised platform from which magistrates, rulers, or judges issued decisions or administered legal proceedings (i.e., tribunal or judgment seat). In other settings, it can refer simply to a step or stair, but the prominent usage in the New Testament and other Koine texts is specifically as the platform of judicial or authoritarian power.

Semantic Range

step, raised platform, judicial tribunal, speaker's platform, judgment seat, official seat of authority, (later: sanctuary area in church)

Root / Etymology

From βάσις (basis, 'a step, base, or foundation'), itself from βαίνω ('to walk, go, step'). βῆμα is thus formed from the idea of 'that which is stepped upon', a 'stepping place' or platform.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, βῆμα initially referred to any kind of step or pace, either as a literal step taken by the foot or as a constructed step or platform. With the development of civic institutions in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term became closely associated with the elevated platforms used in assemblies, courts, or public ceremonies, especially as the standing place for magistrates, orators, or judges. In the Greek East, the βῆμα was the standard term for the judge's seat or tribunal — the position from which verdicts and proclamations were delivered. In the New Testament, βῆμα most often refers to the official tribunal or judgment seat (e.g., Pilate's tribunal in John 19:13, Paul before Gallio in Acts 18:12–17), not merely a literal step or stage. English translations usually render it 'judgment seat', but the sense is that of an official platform for governance or judgment. Over time in Christian liturgy, the word was adopted for the chancel or sanctuary area of the church building (the space around the altar), reflecting the notion of an elevated, authoritative platform. Related terms: The broader term θρόνος (thronos) typically designates a throne or seat of royal dignity, whereas βῆμα emphasizes the functional aspect of public or legal authority borne out through speech, judgment, or proclamation from a particular location. The English translation 'throne' does not capture the procedural or judicial nuances of βῆμα, which is less about sovereign rule and more about judicial or authoritative decision from a public platform.

Translation Consistency

primary "seat" 9 occurrences

βῆμα most often denotes the raised seat or platform of authority—the judgment seat/tribunal. ‘‘Seat’’ is a natural, versatile English noun that conveys both the physical platform and the official place of judgment or authority, and it allows natural renderings like “the judgment seat” while keeping a single consistent base word.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"judgment platform" (1x) "step" (1x) "judicial platform" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from the base of βάσις; a step, i.e. foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e. a tribunal:--judgment-seat, set (foot) on, throne.

Root Family

βῆμα (bēma) — step, raised platform, tribunal, judgment seat, official seat of authority

Root βη- to step, to go, to mount a platform

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G968-03 βήματος bematos N GEN N SG judgment seat of the judgment platform of the judgment seat 9
G968-01 βῆμα bema N ACC N SG a place raised tribunal platform step 2
G968-02 βήματι bemati N DAT N SG judgment seat at the judicial platform judicial platform 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G968-03 Matthew 27:19 βήματος bematos N GEN N SG judgment seat of the judgment platform of the judgment seat
G968-03 John 19:13 βήματος bematos N GEN N SG judgment seat of the judgment platform the judgment platform
G968-01 Acts 7:5 βῆμα bema N ACC N SG a place raised tribunal platform step
G968-03 Acts 12:21 βήματος bematos N GEN N SG throne of the judgment platform of the judgment seat
G968-01 Acts 18:12 βῆμα bema N ACC N SG judgment-seat raised tribunal platform the raised tribunal seat
G968-03 Acts 18:16 βήματος bematos N GEN N SG judgment seat of the judgment platform of the judgment seat
G968-03 Acts 18:17 βήματος bematos N GEN N SG judgment seat of the judgment platform of the judgment seat
G968-03 Acts 25:6 βήματος bematos N GEN N SG judgment seat of the judgment platform judgment seat
G968-03 Acts 25:10 βήματος bematos N GEN N SG judgment seat of the judgment platform judgment seat
G968-03 Acts 25:17 βήματος bematos N GEN N SG judgment seat of the judgment platform of the judgment seat
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