Bible Encyclopedias
Judgment Seat

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

( βῆμα , bḗma , "a raised place," "platform," "tribune," Matthew 27:19; John 19:13; see GABBATHA; Acts 12:21 margin (text "throne"); Acts 18:12 , Acts 18:16 ff; Acts 25:6 , Acts 25:17 ): In Greek law courts, one bēma was provided for the accuser, another for the accused; but in the New Testament the word designates the official scat of a judge, usually of the Roman governor; also of the emperor (Acts 25:10 ); then of God (Romans 14:10 ), of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10 ). The word κριτήριον , kritḗrion , "a tribunal," "bench of judges" (James 2:6 ) occurs also in 1 Corinthians 6:2-4 , and is there translated in the Revised Version margin by "tribunals." See also JUDGE .