JUDGMENT SEAT

(bema, "a raised place," "platform," "tribune," Matthew 27:19 John 19:13; see GABBATHA; Acts 12:21 margin (text "throne"); 18:12, 16;; 25:6, 17): In Greek law courts, one bema 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 kriterion, "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.

SEAT

set: This word is used to translate the Hebrew words (moshabh, shebheth, kicce', and tekhunah), once (Job 23:3). It translates the Greek word (kathedra) (Matthew 21:12; Matthew 23:2 Mark 11:15), and "chief seat" translates the compound word (protokathedria) (Matthew 23:6 Mark 12:39 Luke 20:46). In the King James Version it translates (thronos) (Luke 1:52 Revelation 2:13; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 11:16; Revelation 13:2; Revelation 16:10), which the Revised Version (British and American) renders "throne." It denotes a place or thing upon which one sits, as a chair, or stool (1 Samuel 20:18 Judges 3:20). It is used also of the exalted position occupied by men of marked rank or influence, either in good or evil (Matthew 23:2 Psalm 1:1).

Jesse L. Cotton