Gabbatha

In Bible versions:

Gabbatha: NET AVS NIV NRSV NASB TEV

a platform in front of the praetorium or governor's palace in Jerusalem where individuals were judged

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high; elevated

Google Maps: Gabbatha (31° 46´, 35° 14´)

Greek

Strongs #1042: gabbaya gabbatha

Gabbatha = "elevated or a platform"

1) a raised place, elevation
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In the Greek was called Lithostrotos, or the pavement of stones,
as the Syrian version renders it: it is thought to be the room
Gazith, in which the sanhedrin sat in the temple when they tried
capital causes; and it was so called, because it was paved with
smooth, square hewn stones: "it was in the north part; half of it
was holy, and half of it was common: and it had two doors, one for
that part which was holy, and another for that part that was common;
and in that half that was common the sanhedrin sat." So that into
this part of it, and by this door, Pilate, though a Gentile, might
enter. This place, in the language of the Jews, who at that time
spoke Syrian, was Gabbatha, from its height, as it should seem;
though the Syrian and Persian versions read Gaphiphtha, which
signifies a fence or enclosure. Mention is made in the Talmud of the
upper Gab in the mountain of the house; but whether the same with
this Gabbatha, and whether this is the same with the chamber Gazith,
is not certain. The Septuagint uses the same word as John here does,
and calls by the same name the pavement of the temple on which
Israelites fell and worshipped God, 2Ch 7:3. (Gill)

The Hebrew word for Pavement occurs only once in the Old
Testament. In 2Ki 16:17 we read, "King Ahaz cut off the borders
of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the
sea from off the brazen oxen that were under it, and put it upon the
pavement of stones." In Ahaz's case his act was the conclusive token
of his abject apostasy. So here of Pilate coming down to the
apostate Jews. In the former case it was a Jewish ruler dominated by
a Gentile idolater; in the latter, a Gentile idolater dominated by
Jews who had rejected the Messiah! (AWP Joh 19:13)

1042 gabbatha gab-bath-ah'

of Chaldee origin (compare 1355); the knoll; gabbatha, a vernacular
term for the Roman tribunal in Jerusalem:- Gabbatha.
see HEBREW for 01355

Gabbatha [EBD]

Gab Baitha, i.e., "the ridge of the house" = "the temple-mound," on a part of which the fortress of Antonia was built. This "temple-mound" was covered with a tesselated "pavement" (Gr. lithostroton, i.e., "stone-paved"). A judgement-seat (bema) was placed on this "pavement" outside the hall of the "praetorium" (q.v.), the judgment-hall (John 18:28; 19:13).

Gabbatha [NAVE]

GABBATHA, a place of judgment in Jerusalem, where Pilate passed sentence on Jesus, John 19:13.

GABBATHA [SMITH]

(elevated; a platform) the Hebrew or Chaldee appellation of a place, also called "Pavement," where the judgment-seat or bema was planted, from his place on which Pilate delivered our Lord to death. (John 19:13) It was a tessellated platform outside the praetorium, on the western hill of Jerusalem, for Pilate brought Jesus forth from thence to it.

GABBATHA [ISBE]

GABBATHA - gab'-a-tha: Given (Jn 19:13) as the name of a special pavement (to lithostroton), and is probably a transcription in Greek of the Aramaic gabhetha', meaning "height" or "ridge." Tradition which now locates the Pretorium at the Antonia and associates the triple Roman arch near there with the "Ecce Homo" scene, naturally identifies an extensive area of massive Roman pavement, with blocks 4 ft. x 3 1/2 ft. and 2 ft. thick, near the "Ecce Homo Arch," as the Gabbatha. This paved area is in places roughened for a roadway, and in other places is marked with incised designs for Roman games of chance. The site is a lofty one, the ground falling away rapidly to the East and West, and it must have been close to, or perhaps included in, the Antonia. But apart from the fact that it is quite improbable that the Pretorium was here (see PRAETORIUM), it is almost certain that the lithostroton was a mosaic pavement (compare Est 1:6), such as was very common in those days, and the site is irretrievably lost.

E. W. G. Masterman