Audience
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Audience in the Bible?
An audience refers to the formal reception of petitioners, dignitaries, or subjects by a ruler or high-ranking official. In ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean societies, these structured encounters functioned as critical mechanisms for administering justice, distributing patronage, and visually reinforcing the hierarchical authority of the sovereign.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the protocols of royal audiences illuminates the social dynamics within biblical narratives, showing how characters navigated complex power structures to seek justice, favor, or divine intervention through established customs of respect and access.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Audience in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Audience clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.