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Pavement

Locations
Modern Location Jerusalem, Israel
Coordinates 31.7784, 35.2297

Geographical Setting

A paved stone area in the Antonia Fortress or Praetorium where Pontius Pilate conducted judicial proceedings.

What is the meaning of Pavement in the Bible?

The Pavement (Lithostrotos) denotes the stone-paved courtyard within the Roman Praetorium in Jerusalem where Pontius Pilate presided over the trial of Jesus, corresponding to the Aramaic term Gabbatha.

SIGNIFICANCE

Identifying the Pavement clarifies the physical setting of the trial, illustrating the Roman administrative structures present in first-century Jerusalem and the specific spatial dynamics between the Roman governor and Jewish authorities.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Pavement (located near modern Jerusalem, Israel) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Pavement in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Pavement 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.

How to Cite This Entry

"Pavement." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pavement/
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