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 hours before the president spoke, attendees chatted excitedly, until a Jewish a cappella group from the University of Maryland, Rak Shalom, began performing on the bema.

From Washington Post

Its fall was followed by that of the eastern half of the great dome itself; and in the ruin perished the altar, the tabernacle, and the whole bema, with its costly furniture and appurtenances.

From Project Gutenberg

When Demosthenes ended and came down from the bema, the Assembly drew a long breath, and instantly each man fell to discussing with his neighbor what was best to be decided.

From Project Gutenberg

Twice I went to the bema and spoke to those priests and that mangy rabble.

From Project Gutenberg

Plutarch’s statement that the Thirty Tyrants removed the bema so as to face the land instead of the sea is probably due to a misunderstanding.

From Project Gutenberg