( 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 .
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
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