ἀκροατήριον (akroatērion)
akroatērion
hall
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun akroatērion refers to a hall or room designed for listening, specifically one used for legal proceedings. Derived from the verb meaning "to hear," it describes a space set aside for audience and judgment rather than general assembly. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Acts 25:23.
Here, it denotes the royal auditorium where King Agrippa and Bernice gathered to hear the case against Paul before his appeal to Caesar. The word highlights the formal nature of the setting, emphasizing the act of hearing testimony as a precursor to decision-making. Translators typically render it "judgment seat" or "auditorium," capturing its function as a venue for official hearings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word akroatērion describes a specific kind of room built for listening. It was not a place for casual chat, but a formal hall where important matters were heard and judged. In Acts 25:23, Paul stands in this royal auditorium before King Agrippa. The setting shows that truth often requires a public hearing, even when the listener holds all the power.
This word reminds us that God values being heard. Just as Paul had his day in court, our lives are open before God. He listens to our prayers and our struggles with full attention. We do not need a grand stage to be seen by Him; He is present in every quiet moment of waiting and speaking.
When we feel misunderstood by people, we can find comfort in this image. There is a place where our testimony matters. God invites us to bring our cases to Him, knowing He hears with perfect justice and grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- audience hall1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀκροατήριον1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 25:23
So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
This verse places Paul in the formal hearing room, showing that his defense was a matter of official record before high-ranking leaders.