Theatre

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

The ancient Greek theatre (lit.[Note: literally, literature.]‘a place of spectacle,’ ‘a beholding place’) was regularly a building of semicircular ground-plan, open to the sky. On the diameter were the stage and everything pertaining to it. The inner part of the semicircle below the level of the stage had an altar in the middle on which incense was burnt. Around this central part the tiers of stone seats rose to the top, intersected at regular intervals by passages to enable the spectators to reach their places. The entrances for spectators were at the ends of the stage. In origin theatrical exhibitions were in honour of the god Dionysos, and were held only on the days of his festivals. Attendance at the theatre on such occasions was an act of worship. Only in course of time did the theatre become a place of amusement entirely, divorced from all connexion with religion. The size of a theatre varied according to the size of the population of the city in which it was. As a general rule it was of necessity the largest building in the city, and, as on most days of the year it was not required for play-acting, it was available for public meetings. In Athens the meetings of the public assembly (ἐκκλησία) took place in the theatre. So at Ephesus (Acts 19), when the disturbance aroused by Demetrius took place, it was the most natural thing in the world that a rush should be made to the theatre (v. 29).

Literature.-A. E. Haigh, The Attic Theatre 2, ed. A. W. Pickard-Cambridge, Oxford, 1907.

A. Souter.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

The theater was anciently in the open air; semicircular; the seats in tiers above one another the stage on a level with the lowest seats. Besides the performance of dramas, public meetings were often in the theater, as being large enough almost to receive "the whole city" ( Acts 19:29); so at Ephesus the theater was the scene of the tumultuous meeting excited by Demetrius. The remains of this theater still attest its vast size and convenient position. (See Ephesus; Diana.) In  1 Corinthians 4:9 "spectacle" is literally, "theatrical spectacle," a spectacle in which the world above and below is the theater, and angels and men the spectators.  Hebrews 10:33, "made a "gazing stock" (theatrizomenoi ) by afflictions"; as criminals often were exhibited to amuse the populace in the amphitheater, and "set forth last" in the show to fight with wild beasts (Tertullian, de Pudicitia, 14):  Hebrews 12:1. In the theater Herod Agrippa I ( Acts 12:21-23; Josephus, Ant. 19:8, section 2) gave audience to the Tyrian envoys, and was struck dead by God.

King James Dictionary

The'Atre, n. L. theatrum Gr. to see.

1. Among the ancients, an edifice in which spectacles or shows were exhibited for the amusement of spectators. 2. In modern times, a house for the exhibition of dramatic performances, as tragedies, comedies and farces a play-house comprehending the stage, the pit, the boxes, galleries and orchester. 3. Among the Italians, an assemblage of buildings, which by a happy disposition and elevation, represents an agreeable scene to the eye. 4. A place rising by steps or gradations like the seats of a theater.

Shade above shade, a woody theater

Of stateliest view--

5. A place of action or exhibition as the theater of the world. 6. A building for the exhibition of scholastic exercises, as at Oxford, or for other exhibitions.

Anatomical theater, a hall with several rows of seats, disposed in the manner of an amphitheater, and a table turning on a pivot in the middle, for anatomical demonstrations.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) A place or region where great events are enacted; as, the theater of war.

(2): ( n.) That which resembles a theater in form, use, or the like; a place rising by steps or gradations, like the seats of a theater.

(3): ( n.) Any room adapted to the exhibition of any performances before an assembly, as public lectures, scholastic exercises, anatomical demonstrations, surgical operations, etc.

(4): ( n.) An edifice in which dramatic performances or spectacles are exhibited for the amusement of spectators; anciently uncovered, except the stage, but in modern times roofed.

(5): ( n.) A sphere or scheme of operation.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Theatre . The name is Greek (lit. ‘a place for viewing’ [a spectacle]), and the thing appears to be of Greek origin also. From the cities of Greece proper, theatres spread all over the Greek and Roman world. The auditorium consisted regularly of a semicircular cavity cut on the side of a hill, much broader at the upper end than the lower. The seats were placed concentrically, being commonly carved out of the rock. The part level with the ground, the orchestra, was occupied by the choir. The stage and scene were on the diameter, and were of artificial construction, being very often like the front of a temple. The theatres were used for public meetings, as being generally the largest buildings in the cities (  Acts 19:29;   Acts 19:31; cf. also art. Ephesus).

A. Souter.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Theatre. For the explanation of the biblical allusions, two or three points only, require notice. The Greek term, like the corresponding English term, denotes the place where dramatic performances are exhibited, and also, the scene itself , or spectacle, which is witnessed there. It occurs in the first, or local, sense in  Acts 19:29. The other sense of the term "theatre" occurs in  1 Corinthians 4:9.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

A place built for dramatic and other public entertainments, and for meetings of the people. At the uproar at Ephesus they rushed into the theatre.  Acts 19:29,31 . The word is θέατρον, and is translated 'spectacle' in  1 Corinthians 4:9; the apostles were gazed upon both by angels and by men.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Acts 19:29,31

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Theatre'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/t/theatre.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

thē´a - tẽr (  Acts 19:29 ,  Acts 19:31 ). See Games .