bema

[bee-muh]

noun

plural

bemata, bemas 

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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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