### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **bōmós**, represented by `{{G1041}}`, is defined as a stand, or more specifically, an **altar**. It appears only **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the Bible, making its single usage highly significant. It refers to a physical structure used for worship.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{G1041}}` is in Acts, where the Apostle Paul is in Athens. He observes the religious landscape of the city, noting their various "devotions." Among them, he finds an **altar** with a particular inscription: "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" [[Acts 17:23]]. Paul uses this physical **altar** as a point of reference to begin his address to the Athenians, identifying the very God they were worshipping in ignorance.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in this passage help clarify the context of the **altar**:
* `{{G4574}}` **sébasma**: This word means "something adored, i.e. an object of worship (god, altar, etc)". Paul beholds the Athenians' "devotions" or objects of worship, and the **altar** (bōmós) is one of these specific items he finds [[Acts 17:23]].
* `{{G2316}}` **theós**: Defined as "a deity, especially... the supreme Divinity," this word is directly linked to the **altar**, as the inscription dedicates it to an unknown **God** [[Acts 17:23]].
* `{{G2151}}` **eusebéō**: Meaning "to worship" or "show piety," this term describes the action associated with the **altar**. Paul explains that the Athenians **worship** a God they do not know, and this **altar** is the physical evidence of that worship [[Acts 17:23]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G1041}}` in its single context is notable.
* **A Bridge to Revelation:** The **altar** serves as a physical and cultural bridge. Paul uses this man-made object, born out of human reverence, as a starting point to reveal the true nature of the God they did not know [[Acts 17:23]].
* **Acknowledged Ignorance:** The inscription on the **altar** represents a form of worship that is earnest yet incomplete. It signifies a spiritual seeking that has not yet arrived at the full truth, a condition Paul aims to correct.
* **From Impersonal to Personal:** Paul's argument effectively transitions the focus from the impersonal **altar** of an "unknown" deity to the declared, knowable God of creation whom he preaches.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{G1041}}` appears only once, its role is pivotal. The word **bōmós** is not just a label for a stone structure; it represents the intersection of human religious searching and divine revelation. Its use in [[Acts 17:23]] provides a powerful illustration of how a tangible object of worship can become the catalyst for declaring the truth about the one, true God.
TRV