The chief seats in the synagogues (tēn prōtokathedrian en tais sunagōgais). Singular here, plural in Mat 23:6. This semi-circular bench faced the congregation. Mat 23:6 has also the chief place at feasts given by Luke also in that discourse (Luk 20:46) as well as in Luk 14:7, a marked characteristic of the Pharisees.