Bible Dictionary
Pulpit
The pulpit mentioned in Nehemiah was a raised wooden platform or scaffold on which Ezra stood while reading the Law to the assembled people. It was not necessarily a modern preaching desk.
Definition
A pulpit in the biblical account was a raised wooden platform or scaffold. It was a high object on which a speaker stood, not necessarily a modern preaching desk.
Biblical Usage
In Nehemiah 8:4, Ezra stood upon a wooden platform while reading the Law before the assembled people.
Historical Background
The Hebrew term means a high object or structure. The supplied material indicates that “tower” gives a misleading picture; the setting was a scaffold or platform, also represented by the term bema.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Neh. 8:4). (See EZRA.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>pool'-pit: Ne 8:4, "Ezra the scribe stood upon a mighdol of wood." Mighdol is one of the commonest words in the Old Testament and means simply a high object--here a scaffolding or platform (bema, 1 Esdras 9:42). "Tower" (so the Revised Version margin) gives an entirely wrong picture.</p>