Bible Dictionary
CHIEF SEATS
The chief seats were places of honor in the synagogues, positioned before the ark and reader’s platform facing the congregation. Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for loving these prominent seats.
Definition
Chief seats were places of honor in a synagogue. They stood before the ark containing the Scriptures and the reader’s platform, facing the congregation.
Biblical Usage
Jesus reproached the scribes and Pharisees for loving the chief seats in the synagogues, exposing their desire for public honor.
Historical Background
The seats were reserved for persons held in highest honor. The great synagogue of Alexandria is said to have had seventy-one such seats for members of its council.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>chef sets (protokathedria): It was one of the reproaches urged by our Lord against the scribes and Pharisees that they loved the chief seats in the synagogues (Mt 23:6; Mr 12:39; Lu 11:43; 20:46). These were special seats set in front of the ark containing the Scriptures and of the reader's platform, and facing the congregation. They were specially reserved for those who were held in the highest honor in the congregation. There were seventy-one such seats in the great synagogue of Alexandria, which were occupied by the members of the great Council in that city (see SYNAGOGUE).</p><p>J. Macartney Wilson</p>