Bible Dictionary
Pavement
The Pavement was the paved place outside the Roman governor’s judgment hall where Pilate sat to judge Jesus. It was also called Gabbatha, though its exact location is uncertain.
Definition
The Pavement was a stone-paved place outside the Roman governor’s judgment hall. It was the location where Pilate sat to give judgment concerning Jesus. Its Hebrew or Aramaic name was Gabbatha, though the precise location has not been identified.
Biblical Usage
The Pavement appears in the account of Jesus’ trial before Pilate. Pilate brought Jesus outside and sat on the judgment seat at the place called the Pavement, also known as Gabbatha.
Historical Background
Roman governors commonly placed their tribunals in open locations such as marketplaces, circuses, or highways. The Pavement was probably a prepared mosaic of colored stones in front of the judgment hall or praetorium.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
It was the custom of the Roman governors to erect their tribunals in open places, as the market-place, the circus, or even the highway. Pilate caused his seat of judgment to be set down in a place called “the Pavement” (John 19:13) i.e., a place paved with a mosaic of coloured stones. It was probably a place thus prepared in front of the “judgment hall.” (See GABBATHA.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Gabbatha]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>pav'-ment: In the Old Testament, with the exception of 2Ki 16:17, the Hebrew word is ritspah (2Ch 7:3; Es 1:6; Eze 40:17, etc.); in Sirach 20:18 and Bel and the Dragon verse 19 the word is edaphos; in Joh 19:13, the name "The Pavement" (lithostrotos, "paved with stone") is given to the place outside the Pretorium on which Pilate sat to give judgment upon Jesus. Its Hebrew (Aramaic) equivalent is declared to be GABBATHA (which see). The identification of the place is uncertain.</p>