bema

[ bee-muh ]

noun

, plural be·ma·ta [bee, -m, uh, -t, uh], be·mas.

1. Eastern Church. the enclosed space surrounding the altar; the sanctuary or chancel.
2. (in a Christian basilica) an open space between the end of the nave arcade and the apse.
3. bimah.
4. a platform for public speaking.

bema

/ ˈbiːmə /

noun

1. the speaker's platform in the assembly in ancient Athens
2. Eastern Orthodox Church a raised area surrounding the altar in a church; the sanctuary
3. Judaism another word for almemar

Word History and Origins

Origin of bema¹

1675–85; < Greek bêma step, platform, equivalent to bē- (verbid stem of baínein to step, go; come ) + -ma (noun suffix denoting result of action)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bema¹

C17: via Late Latin, from Greek bēma , from bainein to go

Example Sentences

In the chord of the bema stood the holy table with its ciborium or canopy of gold.

From Project Gutenberg

His friends and relatives tried in vain to stop him making himself ridiculous and being dragged down from the bema.

From Project Gutenberg

Looking out from his place at the foot of the pillar, he saw a man standing far off in the lofty bema.

From Project Gutenberg

The bema, on which he sat to administer justice, was probably the golden throne of Archelaus.

From Project Gutenberg

It is then carried round the building, and forms the impost moulding of the side arches in the bema and of the east window.

From Project Gutenberg