JUDGMENT HALL is the doubtful KJV rendering of the Gr. πραιτώριον, G4550, in John 18:28, 33; 19:9; Acts 23:35. This Lat. loanword contains no reference to judgment, and is correctly preserved in the RSV praetorium (q.v.).

The latter was originally the tent of the Rom. commander or praetor. By extension it came to denote the army headquarters, residence of a provincial governor, palace, barracks (cf. Matt 27:27; Mark 15:16; Acts 23:35) and also praetorian guard. These would all normally be housed in the same complex of buildings. Philippians 1:13 could refer either to the guard or the buildings. The Rom. procurator of Judea normally resided in the praetorium at Caesarea (Acts 23:35), but there was also one in Jerusalem. It was here that Pilate interrogated Jesus (John 18:28-38; 19:9-11). But it was outside “at a place called The Pavement” that Pilate sat on “the judgment seat” (q.v.) (John 19:13), and handed Jesus over to the Jews. Jesus then was brought back into the praetorium for the soldiers to prepare His execution (Matt 27:27; Mark 15:16).

One of Solomon’s buildings was called “the Hall of Judgment” (KJV porch of judgment; Heb. אֻלָ֥ם הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט or “Hall of the Throne” 1 Kings 7:7). Apart from its cedar paneling, no further details are given. See Praetorium.

Bibliography Arndt, 704; E. M. Blaiklock, “Praetorium,” NBD, 1018; F. D. Gealy, “Praetorium,” IDB, III, 856; C. Kopp, The Holy Places of the Gospels (1963), 354, 366-373.