"a step, footstep, foot-breadth, space to set the foot on, Acts 7:5; an elevated place ascended by steps, tribunal, throne, Mt. 27:19; Acts 12:21"
Definition and meaning
a step, footstep, foot-breadth, space to set the foot on, Acts 7:5; an elevated place ascended by steps, tribunal, throne, Mt. 27:19; Acts 12:21
In the original Greek the word is written: βῆμα
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of bema (G968) across the King James Bible.
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
And he drave them from the judgment seat.
Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
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Common questions
Strong's G968 (bema) is a Greek word that means: a step, footstep, foot-breadth, space to set the foot on, Acts 7:5; an elevated place ascended by steps, tribunal, throne, Mt. 27:19; Acts 12:21 It appears 12 times in the King James Bible.
The word bema (G968) appears 12 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G968 is bema, a Greek word defined as: a step, footstep, foot-breadth, space to set the foot on, Acts 7:5; an elevated place ascended by steps, tribunal, throne, Mt. 27:19; Acts 12:21. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
bema is a Greek word found in the New Testament.