βῆμα
bēma
judgement seat
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word βῆμα (bēma) is a term that refers to a judgement seat. This word is used 12 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the context of law and justice. The word βῆμα likely originated from the idea of a raised platform or a tribunal, where judges or magistrates would sit to render verdicts. In its biblical usage, βῆμα is often associated with the concept of accountability and evaluation. It implies a place where individuals or groups are brought to account for their actions, and where their deeds are judged. This word is used in various contexts, including the presence of God, the court of heaven, and the final judgement. The significance of βῆμα lies in its representation of the ultimate authority and the final reckoning that awaits all individuals.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
12 total occurrences across the text
While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.”
John 19:13When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement”, but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.”
Acts 7:5He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his offspring after him, when he still had no child.
Acts 12:21On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them.
Acts 18:12But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,
Acts 18:16So he drove them from the judgment seat.
Acts 18:17Then all the Greeks seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. Gallio didn’t care about any of these things.
Acts 25:6When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.
Acts 25:10But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.
Acts 25:17When therefore they had come together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought.
Romans 14:10But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.