Encyclopedia entry
Gate
(1.) Of cities, as of Jerusalem (Jer. 37:13; Neh. 1:3; 2:3; 3:3), of Sodom (Gen. 19:1), of Gaza (Judg. 16:3).
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(2.) Of royal palaces (Neh. 2:8).
(3.) Of the temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6:34, 35; 2 Kings 18:16); of the holy place (1 Kings 6:31, 32; Ezek. 41:23, 24); of the outer courts of the temple, the beautiful gate (Acts 3:2).
(4.) Tombs (Matt. 27:60).
(5.) Prisons (Acts 12:10; 16:27).
(6.) Caverns (1 Kings 19:13).
(7.) Camps (Ex. 32:26, 27; Heb. 13:12).
The materials of which gates were made were,
(1.) Iron and brass (Ps. 107:16; Isa. 45:2; Acts 12:10).
(2.) Stones and pearls (Isa. 54:12; Rev. 21:21).
(3.) Wood (Judg. 16:3) probably.
At the gates of cities courts of justice were frequently held, and hence “judges of the gate” are spoken of (Deut. 16:18; 17:8; 21:19; 25:6, 7, etc.). At the gates prophets also frequently delivered their messages (Prov. 1:21; 8:3; Isa. 29:21; Jer. 17:19, 20; 26:10). Criminals were punished without the gates (1 Kings 21:13; Acts 7:59). By the “gates of righteousness” we are probably to understand those of the temple (Ps. 118:19). “The gates of hell” (R.V., “gates of Hades”) Matt. 16:18, are generally interpreted as meaning the power of Satan, but probably they may mean the power of death, denoting that the Church of Christ shall never die.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
The gate and gateways of eastern cities anciently held and still hold an important part, not only in the defence but in the public economy of the place. They are thus sometimes taken as representing the city itself. (Genesis 22:17; 24:60; 12:12; Judges 5:8; Ruth 4:10; Psalms 87:2; 122:2) Among the special purposes for which they were used may be mentioned.
As places of public resort. (Genesis 19:1; 23:10; 34:20; 24; 1 Samuel 4:18) etc. Places for public deliberation, administration of Justice, or of audience for kings and rulers or ambassadors. (16:18; 21:19; 25:7; Joshua 20:4; Judges 9:35) etc. Public markets. (2 Kings 7:1) In heathen towns the open spaces near the gates appear to have been sometimes used as places for sacrifice. (Acts 14:13) comp 2Kin 23:8 Regarded therefore as positions of great importance, the gates of cities were carefully guarded, and closed at nightfall. (3:5; Joshua 2:5,7; Judges 9:40,44) They contained chambers over the gateway. (2 Samuel 18:24) The doors themselves of the larger gates mentioned in Scripture were two leaved, plated with metal, closed with locks and fastened with metal bars. (3:6; Psalms 107:16; Isaiah 46:1,2) Gates not defended by iron were of course liable to be set on fire by an enemy. (Judges 9:52) The gateways of royal palaces and even of private houses were often richly ornamented. Sentences from the law were inscribed on and above the gates. (6:9; Isaiah 64:12; Revelation 21:21) The gates of Solomon’s temple were very massive and costly, being overlaid with gold and carving. (1 Kings 6:34,35; 2 Kings 18:16) Those of the holy place were of olive wood, two-leaved and overlaid with gold; those of the temple of fir. (1 Kings 6:31,32,34; Ezekiel 41:23,24)
In the Bible
239
Verses where Gate is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 9:18
he was previously stationed at the King’s Gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the Levites.
- 1 Chronicles 11:17
David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”
- 1 Chronicles 11:18
So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD,
- 1 Chronicles 16:42
Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.
- 1 Chronicles 19:9
The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance to the city, while the kings who had come stayed by themselves in the open country.
- 1 Chronicles 26:13
They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
+233 more verses naming Gate.
Scripture on Gate
148
See all 148 +−
- John 10Acts 12Exodus 38Judges 16Ruth 42 Samuel 181 Kings 61 Chronicles 26Nehemiah 2Ezekiel 44Ezekiel 48Genesis 19Exodus 32Joshua 22 Chronicles 23Nehemiah 8Nehemiah 12Esther 5Ezekiel 8Amos 5Acts 3Revelation 21Genesis 22Genesis 23Genesis 34Exodus 27Exodus 40Deuteronomy 22Joshua 20Judges 181 Samuel 42 Samuel 232 Kings 112 Kings 181 Chronicles 11Esther 2Esther 3Esther 4Esther 6Psalms 107Psalms 118Isaiah 29Jeremiah 17Jeremiah 31Jeremiah 37Jeremiah 39Ezekiel 41Ezekiel 43Obadiah 1Micah 1Matthew 7Hebrews 13Genesis 24Genesis 28Exodus 35Exodus 39Numbers 4Deuteronomy 16Deuteronomy 21Deuteronomy 25Deuteronomy 33Joshua 7Joshua 8Judges 51 Samuel 91 Samuel 212 Samuel 32 Samuel 102 Samuel 112 Samuel 152 Samuel 191 Kings 171 Kings 191 Kings 211 Kings 222 Kings 92 Kings 102 Kings 142 Kings 152 Kings 232 Kings 251 Chronicles 91 Chronicles 161 Chronicles 192 Chronicles 82 Chronicles 182 Chronicles 242 Chronicles 252 Chronicles 262 Chronicles 272 Chronicles 312 Chronicles 322 Chronicles 332 Chronicles 35Nehemiah 1Job 5Job 29Job 31Psalms 69Psalms 87Psalms 127Proverbs 1Proverbs 17Proverbs 22Proverbs 24Song of Solomon 7Isaiah 14Isaiah 22Isaiah 24Isaiah 28Isaiah 45Isaiah 46Isaiah 54Isaiah 64Jeremiah 7Jeremiah 19Jeremiah 20Jeremiah 26Jeremiah 36Jeremiah 38Jeremiah 52Lamentations 5Ezekiel 9Ezekiel 10Ezekiel 11Ezekiel 26Ezekiel 42Ezekiel 45Ezekiel 47Daniel 2Micah 2Zephaniah 1Zechariah 14Matthew 16Matthew 27Luke 7Luke 13Luke 16John 5Acts 7Acts 10Acts 14Acts 16
Entries that reference Gate
5
Gate references
25
Voices on Gate
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.