Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

GABBATHA

(Gk. Gabbathá)

The location of the judgment seat (Gk. bḗma), where Pilate sat for Jesus’ trial (John 19:13). The name is an Aramaic word of unknown origin. Suggestions for its meaning have included “elevated,” “open space,” “ridge,” or a transliteration of Lat. gabata, “platter.” According to John it was also known by the Greek term lithóstrōton, “pavement.” It was most probably a raised paved area outside Herod’s palace which functioned as the Praetorium, the residence of the Roman prefects. Philo specifically references Pilate’s residence there during one Jewish feast (Leg. 38).

Earlier attempts to identify the Gabbatha with the stone pavement excavated beneath the Sisters of Zion Convent have been discounted because of evidence that this pavement was not yet constructed at the time of the Roman destruction in a.d. 70. A more recent suggestion for its location has been provided with the discovery of the foundation of a large podium measuring 613 sq. m. (2200 sq. ft.) in the Armenian quarter of Jerusalem.

David R. Beck

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

GABBATHA

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)