of Latin origin; the prætorium or governor's courtroom (sometimes including the whole edifice and camp):--(common, judgment) hall (of judgment), palace, prætorium.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **praitṓrion**, represented by `{{G4232}}`, is a term of Latin origin for a governor's residence or courtroom. It appears **8 times** across **7 unique verses** in the Bible. It is variously translated as a **hall of judgment**, **palace**, or **common hall**, referring to the official edifice where a Roman governor held court and resided.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{G4232}}` is a key location during the passion of Christ. Jesus `{{G2424}}` is brought before Pilate at the **hall of judgment** [[John 18:28]], and it becomes the setting for Pilate's questioning of Jesus about his kingship ([[John 18:33]], [[John 19:9]]). The governor's soldiers take Jesus into the **common hall** [[Matthew 27:27]], also identified as the **Praetorium** [[Mark 15:16]], where they gather the whole band around him. The term is also used for Herod's **judgment hall**, where Paul was kept [[Acts 23:35]], and as the **palace** where Paul's imprisonment became a testimony [[Philippians 1:13]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the events occurring at the praitṓrion:
* `{{G2232}}` **hēgemṓn** (a leader, i.e. chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province): This term for a **governor** is central, as the praitṓrion was the official seat of his authority. It is the governor's soldiers who take Jesus into the common hall [[Matthew 27:27]].
* `{{G4757}}` **stratiṓtēs** (a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior): The **soldiers** are the enforcers of the governor's will within the praitṓrion, leading Jesus away into the hall [[Mark 15:16]] and gathering the whole band `{{G4686}}` there [[Matthew 27:27]].
* `{{G4091}}` **Pilâtos** (close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman): As the Roman governor, **Pilate** is the primary figure associated with the praitṓrion during the trial of Jesus, entering the judgment hall to interrogate him [[John 18:33]].
* `{{G2264}}` **Hērṓdēs** (heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings): The praitṓrion is not exclusively Pilate's domain; Paul is commanded to be kept in **Herod's** judgment hall, showing its use by other rulers [[Acts 23:35]].
### Theological Significance
The narrative significance of `{{G4232}}` is demonstrated in several ways:
* **Center of Worldly Judgment:** The praitṓrion symbolizes the pinnacle of human and Roman authority, where Jesus, the King `{{G935}}` of the Jews `{{G2453}}`, is subjected to questioning and judgment by a worldly **governor** `{{G2232}}` like Pilate [[John 18:33]].
* **Site of Religious Hypocrisy:** A profound irony unfolds as the Jewish leaders refuse to enter the **judgment hall** to avoid ritual defilement `{{G3392}}` before the Passover `{{G3957}}`, while simultaneously orchestrating the condemnation of Jesus [[John 18:28]].
* **Venue for Proclamation:** The meaning of the praitṓrion is transformed in Paul's experience. From a place of judgment and confinement, it becomes a place where his **bonds** `{{G1199}}` in Christ `{{G5547}}` become **manifest** `{{G5318}}` throughout the entire **palace**, turning his imprisonment into a powerful testimony [[Philippians 1:13]].
### Summary
In summary, **praitṓrion** `{{G4232}}` is more than a mere architectural term. It is a charged location in the New Testament, representing the formal seat of Roman power where the fate of Jesus was debated and sealed. It serves as the backdrop for profound themes of justice, hypocrisy, and the confrontation between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of God. From the trial of Jesus before Pilate to the imprisonment of Paul, the **praitṓrion** is consistently a place where divine truth is proclaimed in the face of worldly authority.
TRV