Bible Encyclopedias
Beth-Din

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Heb. בֵּית דַּין, house of justice), a tribunal in religious causes among the Jews. The Jewish Church is governed by a presiding rabbi in the city or town where they maybe settled. He generally attaches to himself two other rabbins, and these combined form the Beth-Din. Their power was partly civil, partly ecclesiastical, and they received the name of Rulers of the Synagogue, because the chief government was vested in them. The Beth- Din had power to inflict corporal punishment, as scourging, but they could not condemn to death. (See SYNAGOGUE).

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Beth-Din'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​b/beth-din.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.