Quick Definition
βῆμα, ατος, τό n.n. the space covered by a step of the foot, a tribunal
Strong's Definition
from the base of 939; a step, i.e. foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e. a tribunal
KJV Usage: judgment-seat, set (foot) on, throne
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, n. | -τος | βεβαιόω
7.63 · Constructions · Miscellaneous Constructions
judgement seat, judgment place a raised platform mounted by steps and usually furnished with a seat; used by officials to address an assembly, often on judicial matters, with a focus on judgement The association of a βῆμα with judicial procedures means that there is almost always an important component of judicial function associated with this term. Therefore in translating βῆμα, it is often best to use a phrase such as ‘a place where a judge decides’ or ‘a place where decisions are made’ or ‘a judge’s seat.’ The focus upon judgment is particularly important in those passages which refer to the judgment seat of God (ROM 14:10) and of Christ (2CO 5:10).
MAT 27:19 · JHN 19:13 · ACT 12:21 · ACT 18:12 · ACT 18:16 · ACT 18:17 · ACT 25:6 · ACT 25:10 · ACT 25:17 · ROM 14:10 · 2CO 5:10
80.3 · Space · Space, Place
Collocation: βῆμα ποδός
a square yard, a square meter (an idiom, literally: a step of a foot (a distance of approximately two and a half feet or a little less than a meter)) an extremely limited or restricted space
1 ACT 7:5 Despite certain differences in size, in some languages the closest natural equivalent of the phrase βῆμα ποδός is simply ‘a square foot,’ while in other languages employing the metric system, a phrase such as ‘a square meter’ would be more appropriate. Some languages, however, may employ expressions such as ‘the measure of an arm’s length’ or ‘the ground of one stride.’ The focal point in ACT 7:5 is not so much the specific measurement, but rather the very limited space.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
βῆμα, -ros, τό, (fr. BAO, Baivw), [fr. Hom. (h. Merc.), Pind. down]; 1. a step, pace: βῆμα ποδός the space which the foot covers, a foot-breadth, Acts vii. 5 (for 537-4)3 Deut. ii. δ, cf. Xen. an. 4, 7,10; Cyr. 7, 5, 6). 2. a raised place mounted by steps; a platform, tribune: used of the official seat of a judge, Mt. xxvii. 19; Jn. xix. 13; Acts xviii. 12, 16 sq.; xxv. 6, 10, [17]; of the judgment-seat of Christ, Ro. xiv. 10 (LT Tr WH τοῦ θεοῦ); 2 Co. v.10; of the structure, resembling a throne, which Herod built in the theatre at Czsarea, and from which he used to view the games and make speeches to the people, Acts xii. 21; (of an orator’s pulpit, 2 Mace. xiii. 26; Neh. viii. 4. Xen. mem. 3, 6,1; Hdian. 2, 19, 2 [1 ed. Bekk.]).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
βῆμα bēma 12x
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
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
βῆμα, -τος, τό
(< βαίνω), [in LXX: De 2:5 (מִדְרָךְ), Ne 8:4 (מִגְדָּל), I Es 9:42, Si 19:30 45:9, II Mac 13:26*;]
a step, stride, pace: Ac 7:5.
a raised place, a platform reached by steps, originally that in the Pnyx at Athens from which orations were made; freq. of the tribune or tribunal of a Roman magistrate or ruler: Mt 27:19, Jo 19:13, Ac 12:21, 18:12, 16, 17 25:6, 10, 17; β. τοῦ θεοῦ, Ro 14:10; τ. Χριστοῦ, II Co 5:10.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
βῆμα. The collocation βῆμα ποδός (Ac 7°, from Dt 2°) is found in Preisigke 42842! (A.D. 207) οὐλ(ὴ) βήματι ποδὸς δεξιοῦ : this of course is not a measure as in Ac /.c. but literal. On Sy// 763: ᾿Απατούριος Διοδώρου Μιλήσιος τὰ βήματα ἀνέθηκεν Ἴσιδι Δικαιοσύνηι Dittenberger notes that two footprints are carved in the stone, asin other monuments intended to commemorate the safe accomplishment of a journey to the shrine. Most commonly in inserr. 8. = dases- so Syl/ 583° (2i/A.D.) καὶ ἔστιν αὐτὸς ὁ θεὸς ἐπὶ βήματος pappaplvov καὶ ἡ παρακειμένη τῷ θεῷ τράπεζα λίθου Λεσβίου, of Apollo: the image of Artemis is ἐπὶ παραστάδι μυλίνῃ, and that of Men ἐπὶ βάσει μαρμαρίνη. So OG/S 21g%° (iii/p.c.) ἐπὶ βήματος τοῦ λευκοῦ λίθου, 2. 299) (ii/B.C.) ἐπιγράψαι ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος, AJagn 9241" (ii/A.D.) εἰς τὸ βῆμα [Tis εἰκ]όvos, In the papyri it is very common in the official sense “tribunal, judgement-seat,’ as in NT. P Oxy I. 37} 3 (A.D. 49) (= Selectéors, p. 48) ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος, [ΠΠ]Ἰεσοὔρι[ς] πρὸς Σιαραεῦν, ‘in court, Pesouris versus Saraeus,” P Tebt 11. 316" (A.D, 99) τὸν ἀπὸ βήματος χρηματισμόν, “the deed issued by the court,” P Oxy II. 237. 15. (a.p. 186) πρὸ βήματος ἐσιώπησεν, and similarly P Amh 11. 807 (A.D..232=3),. P Strass I. 57 (a.p. 262) etc. ‘In P’ Lond 3581 (c. A.D. 150) (= II. p. 172) we have ἐπὶ τὸ ἱερώτατον τοῦ ἵγεμόνος βῆμα with reference to the Praefect’s court, and in BGU II. 613%® (time of Antoninus Pius) ἀξιῶ προσκυνῶν τὸ ἱερώτατον βῆμα τοῦ. [blank follows], and ‘so elsewhere. A unique phrase in P Grenf 11. 151 °(p.c. 139) ἐφ᾽ ἱερέω]ν Πτολεμαίου σωτῆρος... καὶ τοῦ βήματος Ato :]νύσου, Part II.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
βῆμα (bēma) — judgement seat. βῆμα· πρόβατα, [Refs 5th c.AD+]