βῆμα
bēma
a place
A platform or raised step, typically used for public speaking, official proclamations, or seats of authority. In official and legal contexts, especially in Hellenistic and Roman settings, it denotes the raised platform from which magistrates, rulers, or judges issued decisions or administered legal proceedings (i.e., tribunal or judgment seat). In other settings, it can refer simply to a step or stair, but the prominent usage in the New Testament and other Koine texts is specifically as the platform of judicial or authoritarian power.
Acts 7:5 · Word #9
Lexicon G968
| Lemma | βῆμα |
| Transliteration | bēma |
| Strong's | G968 |
| Definition | A platform or raised step, typically used for public speaking, official proclamations, or seats of authority. In official and legal contexts, especially in Hellenistic and Roman settings, it denotes the raised platform from which magistrates, rulers, or judges issued decisions or administered legal proceedings (i.e., tribunal or judgment seat). In other settings, it can refer simply to a step or stair, but the prominent usage in the New Testament and other Koine texts is specifically as the platform of judicial or authoritarian power. |
Morphology N ACC N SG
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Case | ACC — Accusative — Direct object or extent |
| Gender | N — Neuter — Grammatical neuter |
| Number | SG — Singular — One |
Common Translation
| Phrase | a place |
| Literal | step-place |
Lexical Info
| Lemma | βῆμα |
| Strong's | G968 |
SIBI-P1 Translation G968-01
raised tribunal platform
| Morphological Notes | Noun, accusative singular, neuter (Gr,N,,,,,ANS): one raised platform functioning as direct object. |
| Rendering Rationale | "Platform" preserves the root idea of something stepped upon, while "tribunal" reflects its primary Koine usage as an official judicial seat. The accusative singular form indicates a single direct object. |
View full lexicon entry for G968 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
step
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | P1's 'raised tribunal platform' is lexically accurate root-wise but contextually the phrase is a Hebraism (step/footstep), meaning 'not even a footstep'. Rendering as 'step' is more congruent with the sense needed, avoiding unnecessary expansion. This is still root-faithful but context adjusted. |