### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term ἀκροατήριον (akroatḗrion, `{{G201}}`) is derived from ἀκροατής (akroatēs, `{{G202}}`), meaning "a hearer" or "listener." Its base definition, "an audience-room" or "place of hearing," precisely conveys its function. This word denotes a specific architectural space designed for formal listening, often in a judicial, official, or educational capacity. It implies a designated hall where pronouncements are made, arguments are presented, and judgments or decisions are rendered and heard. The term carries connotations of formality, public display, and the exercise of authority, as such rooms were typically associated with rulers, magistrates, or public assemblies.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἀκροατήριον appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Acts:
* [[Acts 25:23]]: "So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience hall (εἰς τὸ ἀκροατήριον) with the commanders and the prominent men of the city. At Festus’s command, Paul was brought in."
* In this sole occurrence, ἀκροατήριον describes the grand hall in Caesarea where the Roman governor Festus, King Agrippa II, and Bernice held court. The context emphasizes the immense pomp and public spectacle surrounding Paul's appearance. The "audience hall" was not merely a casual meeting place but a formal venue designed to impress and to facilitate official proceedings. It underscores the gravity of Paul's situation, as he, a prisoner, was brought before the highest regional authorities in a setting designed to manifest their power and prestige. This scene highlights the intersection of divine providence with human political and legal structures, as Paul is given a platform to bear witness to Christ before influential leaders.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical root for ἀκροατήριον is ἀκροάομαι (akroaomai, `{{G191}}`), the verb "to hear" or "to listen." From this verb, ἀκροατής (akroatēs, `{{G202}}`), "a hearer" or "listener," is directly formed, and ἀκροατήριον then refers to the *place* where such hearing occurs.
Related concepts include:
* βῆμα (bēma, `{{G968}}`): A "judgment seat" or "tribunal," a raised platform from which official pronouncements or judgments were made. While ἀκροατήριον refers to the entire hall, the βῆμα would be a prominent feature within it.
* κρίσις (krisis, `{{G2920}}`): "Judgment" or "decision," the very purpose for which an audience hall might be used.
* δικαστήριον (dikastērion, `{{G1341}}`): A "court of justice" or "tribunal," a broader term for a judicial assembly or place.
The relationship highlights a progression from the act of hearing (ἀκροάομαι) to the person who hears (ἀκροατής) to the designated place for formal hearing (ἀκροατήριον), all within the context of judgment and official proceedings.
### Theological Significance
Though ἀκροατήριον is a rare term, its singular appearance in [[Acts 25:23]] holds subtle theological significance. It represents a secular space, yet one into which God's divine plan intrudes. Paul, the apostle, is brought into this grand "audience hall" not merely as a criminal, but as a witness to the resurrected Christ. The very formality and public nature of the ἀκροατήριον serve to amplify the platform for Paul's testimony, ensuring that the message of the Gospel reaches the ears of powerful rulers and prominent citizens.
This scene implicitly teaches that no human authority or grand setting is beyond the reach of God's sovereignty. Even in a pagan judicial system, God orchestrates events to advance His kingdom. The "place of hearing" becomes a stage for divine revelation, demonstrating that God's truth can penetrate even the most formidable human institutions. Furthermore, it underscores the public nature of the early Christian mission and the legal challenges it faced, setting a precedent for believers to bear witness to Christ even before hostile or indifferent authorities.
### Summary
The Greek word ἀκροατήριον (akroatḗrion, `{{G201}}`) precisely denotes an "audience-room" or "place of hearing," a formal space designed for official proceedings, often judicial in nature. Its single biblical occurrence in [[Acts 25:23]] vividly describes the grand hall where Paul was brought before Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice. This context emphasizes the pomp and authority associated with such a venue, serving as a public stage for Paul's defense and witness. Lexically, it is directly related to the verb "to hear" (ἀκροάομαι, `{{G191}}`) and the noun "hearer" (ἀκροατής, `{{G202}}`). Theologically, this specific "place of hearing," though secular, becomes an arena where God's providential plan unfolds, allowing the Gospel to be proclaimed before powerful earthly rulers, thereby demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over all human institutions and events.
TRV