Topical Encyclopedia
The city-gate in biblical times was a crucial element of urban life, serving as more than just an entryway into a city. It was a place of significant social, economic, judicial, and political activity. The city-gate was often a large, fortified structure that provided security and control over who entered and exited the city. It was typically located at the main entrance of the city wall and was a focal point for community life.
Social and Economic HubThe city-gate was a bustling center of commerce and social interaction. Merchants and traders would set up their stalls near the gate to sell goods to travelers and locals alike. This is evident in the account of Abraham purchasing the cave of Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite, where the transaction took place at the city-gate of Hebron (
Genesis 23:10-18). The gate served as a marketplace where people gathered to buy, sell, and exchange goods.
Judicial and Legal FunctionsThe city-gate was also the place where legal matters were addressed and justice was administered. Elders of the city would sit at the gate to hear disputes and make judgments. This is illustrated in the book of Ruth, where Boaz goes to the city-gate to settle the matter of redeeming Ruth and the property of her deceased husband (
Ruth 4:1-11). The presence of witnesses at the gate ensured that legal transactions were conducted openly and with accountability.
Political and Administrative CenterIn addition to its economic and judicial roles, the city-gate was a place of political activity. Leaders and officials would gather at the gate to discuss matters of governance and to make public announcements. The gate served as a venue for the king or city rulers to address the people, as seen in the account of King David, who sat at the city-gate to meet with his troops and the people after Absalom's rebellion (
2 Samuel 19:8).
Symbol of Authority and PowerThe city-gate symbolized authority and power, as control over the gate meant control over the city. In biblical literature, the gates of a city often represented its strength and security. For example, in the book of Psalms, the psalmist declares, "Lift up your heads, O gates, be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter!" (
Psalm 24:7), signifying the welcoming of divine presence and authority.
Spiritual and Prophetic SignificanceThe city-gate also held spiritual and prophetic significance. Prophets would often deliver their messages at the gates, where they could reach a wide audience. Jeremiah, for instance, was instructed by God to stand at the gate of the Lord's house and proclaim His message to the people of Judah (
Jeremiah 7:2). The gate served as a place where spiritual truths were communicated and where the people were called to repentance and obedience.
In summary, the city-gate was a multifaceted institution in biblical times, integral to the social, economic, judicial, political, and spiritual life of the community. Its significance is reflected in numerous biblical narratives and teachings, underscoring its role as a vital component of ancient urban society.
Greek
1580. ekkomizo -- to carry out (for burial)... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekkomizo Phonetic Spelling: (ek-kom-id'-zo) Short
Definition: I carry out Definition: I carry out (of the
city gate for burial
...Library
Elisha's Way of Treating Enemies
... Now, come, let us go and tell those in the palace." So they called the watchmen
at thecity gate and said to them, "We went to the camp of the Arameans, but...
The Story of David
... wanting to visit it must needs climb the long winding road that led from the plain
beneath, through olive groves and sheepfields, up to thecity gate"a steep...
A Talk About the Breath of God.
... He found out where the camp of the Galilean company was, and one night went out
of thecity gate, across the Kedron bridge and up the slope of the Mount of...
Walls and Gates
... pitched on the sands of the flat desert. II. Praise is to be thecity's gate.
As to the Church, this prophecy anticipates the Apostle's...
David's Sorrow.
... Then the king went up to the room over thecity gate and wept, and as he
went he cried,. "O my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom!...
Whether Christ Suffered in a Suitable Place?
... in the Temple. Therefore it seems that Christ ought to have suffered in the
Temple, and not outside thecity gate. Objection 3: Further...
The Revolution of 1911
... the military forces, sent to restore peace in a neighbouring city, provided himself
with the badge of either party, that he might, at thecity gate, affix that...
Why Paul Went to Macedonia
... In that city we spent some days. On the Sabbath we went outside thecity gate
by the river, where we believed there was a place of prayer....
The Massacre
... terror without? It was the 12th of July, 399. At thecity gate of the
Blachern?? suburb sat habitually an old beggar-woman. It was...
The Right to Privacy
... We hurriedly slipped out the back gate, around the pond, through the back streets,
and out thecity gate. "Which way do you want to go?" my sister asked....
Thesaurus
City-gate (1 Occurrence)City-
gate. City,
City-
gate. City's . Multi-Version Concordance
City-
gate (1 Occurrence). Joshua 20:4 And he shall flee
...Side (4225 Occurrences)
... Within the walls the more important of the remains are three theaters near the harbors,
and streets with covered porticoes leading from thecitygate to the...
Talked (79 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath we went beyond thecitygate to the riverside, where we
had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer; and sitting down we...
Refuge (111 Occurrences)
... instituted. Open highways were to be maintained along, which the manslayer
might have an unobstructed course to thecitygate. 3...
Broad (113 Occurrences)
... to destruction" (Matthew 7:13); the ostentatious piety of the Pharisees: "They make
broad (platuno, "widen") their phylacteries" (Matthew 23:5). SeeCITY;GATE...
City's (2 Occurrences)
Talk (164 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath we went beyond thecitygate to the riverside, where we
had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer; and sitting down we...
Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... but a little company of Jews gathered for Sabbath worship at "a place of prayer"
(proseuche, Acts 16:13), about a mile to the West of thecitygate on the...
City
... SeeHIGH PLACE. 3. Broad Place: The Broad Place (Nehemiah 8:1, 3, 16 Jeremiah 5:1)
seems to have been, usually, immediately inside thecitygate....
Beyond (209 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath we went beyond thecitygate to the riverside, where we
had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer; and sitting down we...
Resources
What is the significance of a city gate in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
