◄ 968. béma ►
Strong's Lexicon béma: Judgment seat, tribunal, platform Original Word: βῆμα Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: béma Pronunciation: BAY-mah Phonetic Spelling: (bay'-ma) Definition: an elevated place ascended by steps, a throne, tribunal. Meaning: A step, a raised place, by implication a tribunal. Word Origin: From the base of βαίνω (bainō), meaning "to go" or "to step." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for βῆμα, the concept of a judgment seat or place of authority can be related to Hebrew terms such as מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, Strong's H4941), meaning "judgment" or "justice," and כִּסֵּא (kisse, Strong's H3678), meaning "throne" or "seat," which can imply a place of authority or judgment. Usage: The term βῆμα is used in the New Testament to refer to a judgment seat or tribunal where decisions are made. It is often associated with a place of authority where judgments are rendered, whether by a Roman official or in a metaphorical sense regarding divine judgment. Context: The Greek term βῆμα (bēma) appears in several New Testament passages, primarily in contexts involving judgment or authority. It denotes a raised platform or seat where a judge or official would sit to hear cases and make decisions. In the Roman context, the βῆμα was a significant place of legal and civic authority, often located in public spaces such as forums or marketplaces. In the New Testament, βῆμα is notably used in the following contexts: • Judicial Authority: In Acts 18:12, Paul is brought before the βῆμα of Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, illustrating the term's use as a place of Roman judicial authority. Similarly, in Acts 25:6, Paul stands before the βῆμα of Festus. • Divine Judgment: The term is also used metaphorically to describe the judgment seat of Christ. In Romans 14:10, Paul writes, "For we will all stand before the judgment seat (βῆμα) of God." This usage emphasizes the accountability of believers before Christ, who will judge their deeds. • Eschatological Significance: In 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul again refers to the βῆμα, stating, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat (βῆμα) of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad." This passage underscores the eschatological aspect of the βῆμα, where believers will be evaluated for their earthly lives. The concept of the βῆμα in the New Testament serves as a reminder of both earthly and divine authority, highlighting the importance of justice and accountability in both temporal and eternal contexts. HELPS Word-studies 968 bḗma (from bainō, "to step, ascend") – properly, a platform to which someone walked up to receive judgment; (figuratively) the administration of justice – literally, given from "a tribunal-chair" (throne) where rewards and punishments are meted out. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin from the same as basis Definition a step, raised place, by impl. a tribunal NASB Translation ground (1), judgment seat (7), rostrum (1), tribunal (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 968: βῆμα βῆμα, βήματος, τό (from ΒΑΩ, βαίνω) (fr. Homer (h. Merc.), Pindar down); 1. a step, pace: βῆμα ποδός the space which the foot covers, a foot-breadth, Acts 7:5 (for כַּף־רֶגֶל, Deuteronomy 2:5, cf. Xenophon, an. 4, 7, 10; Cyril 7, 5, 6). 2. a raised place mounted by steps; a platform, tribune: used of the official seat of a judge, Matthew 27:19; John 19:13; Acts 18:12, 16; Acts 25:6, 10,(17); of the judgment-seat of Christ, Romans 14:10 (L T Tr WH τοῦ Θεοῦ); 2 Corinthians 5:10; of the structure, resembling a throne, which Herod built in the theater at Caesarea, and from which he used to view the games and make speeches to the people, Acts 12:21; (of an orator's pulpit, 2 Macc. 13:26; Nehemiah 8:4. Xenophon, mem. 3, 6, 1; Herodian, 2, 10, 2 (1, Bekker edition)). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance judgment seat, throne. From the base of basis; a step, i.e. Foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e. A tribunal -- judgment-seat, set (foot) on, throne. see GREEK basis Forms and Transliterations βημα βήμα βῆμα βήματα βηματι βήματι βηματος βήματος bema bêma bēma bē̂ma bemati bēmati bḗmati bematos bēmatos bḗmatos Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Matthew 27:19 N-GNS GRK: ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς NAS: While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife KJV: on the judgment seat, his INT: on the judgment seat sent to John 19:13 N-GNS GRK: ἐκάθισεν ἐπὶ βήματος εἰς τόπον NAS: out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place KJV: in the judgment seat in INT: sat down upon [the] judgment seat at a place Acts 7:5 N-ANS GRK: αὐτῇ οὐδὲ βῆμα ποδός καὶ NAS: a foot of ground, and [yet], even when he had no KJV: his foot on: yet INT: it not even a length [of] a foot but Acts 12:21 N-GNS GRK: ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος ἐδημηγόρει πρὸς NAS: took his seat on the rostrum and [began] delivering an address KJV: upon his throne, and INT: on the throne was making an address to Acts 18:12 N-ANS GRK: ἐπὶ τὸ βῆμα NAS: him before the judgment seat, KJV: him to the judgment seat, INT: to the judgment seat Acts 18:16 N-GNS GRK: ἀπὸ τοῦ βήματος NAS: And he drove them away from the judgment seat. KJV: them from the judgment seat. INT: from the judgment seat Acts 18:17 N-GNS GRK: ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ βήματος καὶ οὐδὲν NAS: him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio KJV: [him] before the judgment seat. And INT: before the judgment seat And nothing Acts 25:6 N-GNS GRK: ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος ἐκέλευσεν τὸν NAS: he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered KJV: on the judgment seat commanded INT: on the judgment seat he commanded Acts 25:10 N-GNS GRK: ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος Καίσαρός εἰμι NAS: Caesar's tribunal, where KJV: at Caesar's judgment seat, where I INT: before the judgment seat of Ceasar I am Acts 25:17 N-GNS GRK: ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος ἐκέλευσα ἀχθῆναι NAS: day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered KJV: on the judgment seat, and commanded INT: on the judgment seat I commanded to be brought Romans 14:10 N-DNS GRK: παραστησόμεθα τῷ βήματι τοῦ θεοῦ NAS: stand before the judgment seat of God. KJV: stand before the judgment seat of Christ. INT: we will stand before the judgment seat of God 2 Corinthians 5:10 N-GNS GRK: ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ βήματος τοῦ χριστοῦ NAS: before the judgment seat of Christ, KJV: before the judgment seat of Christ; INT: before the judgment seat of Christ Strong's Greek 968 12 Occurrences βῆμα — 2 Occ. βήματι — 1 Occ. βήματος — 9 Occ.