Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, doorways often symbolize transition, opportunity, and divine intervention. They serve as physical and metaphorical thresholds between different states of being, places, or spiritual conditions. The concept of doorways is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both literal and spiritual truths.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, doorways frequently appear in narratives and laws, often signifying protection and separation. The Passover in
Exodus 12 is a prime example, where the Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb: "And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it" (
Exodus 12:7). This act served as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from the plague of the firstborn.
Doorways also appear in the context of covenant and law. In
Deuteronomy 6:9, the Israelites are commanded to write the commandments on the doorposts of their houses: "Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates" . This practice served as a constant reminder of God's law and presence in their daily lives.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, doorways continue to hold significant spiritual meaning. Jesus uses the metaphor of a door to describe Himself and His role in salvation. In
John 10:9, He declares, "I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture" . Here, Jesus presents Himself as the exclusive entry point to eternal life and spiritual nourishment.
The imagery of doorways is also present in the teachings of the apostles. In
Revelation 3:20, Jesus speaks to the church in Laodicea, saying, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me" . This passage emphasizes the personal relationship and fellowship available to believers who respond to Christ's invitation.
Symbolism and ThemesDoorways in the Bible often symbolize choices and the presence of God. They represent moments of decision, where individuals must choose to enter into a new phase of life or relationship with God. The act of opening or closing a door can signify acceptance or rejection of divine will.
Moreover, doorways can denote protection and sanctuary. The marked doorways during the Passover provided safety for the Israelites, while the closed door in the parable of the ten virgins (
Matthew 25:10) signifies the finality of judgment and the importance of readiness for Christ's return.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern culture, doorways were significant in both domestic and religious architecture. They were often adorned with inscriptions or symbols to convey messages or invoke divine protection. The practice of marking doorposts with religious texts, as seen in Deuteronomy, reflects a broader cultural understanding of doorways as liminal spaces where the divine and human realms intersect.
ConclusionThroughout Scripture, doorways serve as powerful symbols of transition, choice, and divine presence. They remind believers of the importance of readiness, obedience, and the ever-present invitation to enter into a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Strong's Hebrew
6607. pethach -- opening, doorway, entrance... from pathach Definition opening, doorway, entrance NASB Word Usage door (16), doors
(6), doorway (81), doorway at the entrance (1),
doorways (3), entrance (43
...Library
For what Reason the Worshippers of Janus have Made his Image with...
... Let this god be worshipped only on account of saliva, which has two opendoorways
under the heavens of the palate,"one through which part of it may be...
Many Doors, but one Purpose.
... And no one has such a short, quick road into a man's heart as he who can relieve
his body. These things aredoorways into men's lives; and greatdoorways, too....
Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth
... All thedoorways and gates which were there, were twenty cubits high, and
ten cubits wide, except that in the porch. All thedoorways...
Port of Spain
... Under cool porticoes and through talldoorways are seen dark 'stores,' filled with
all manner of good things from Britain or from the United States....
The New Nature
... I. First, then, the apostle Peter draws A COMPARISON AND CONTRAST BETWEEN
THE TWO BIRTHS WHICH ARE THEDOORWAYS OF THE TWO LIVES....
The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and...
... A few houses of mud and stone with lowdoorways, scattered among heaps of stones
and traces of walls, is all that remains of what even these ruins show to have...
The Close of the Theban Empire
... that there is a confusion in his notes between the prenomen of this sovereign and
that of Seti II., who actually did decorate one of thedoorways of that temple...
The Call Intensified
... group breaks up in a moment, and each unit makes for its separate hole, and stands
in it, looking out; and you look up at those dark littledoorways, and feel...
Under Ban of the Ritual
... perfumed the air with crushed and over-ripe produce; litters with dark-eyed occupants
and fan-bearing attendants stood before thedoorways of lapidaries and...
Naparima and Montserrat
... The living rooms, all on the first floor, opened into each other by doorlessdoorways,
and the walls were of cedar and other valuable woods, which good taste...
Thesaurus
Doorways (26 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Doorways (26 Occurrences). John 5:2 Now in Jerusalem
... named Beth-zatha. It has five
doorways. (BBE). John 5:3
...Locks (29 Occurrences)
... brass. (BBE). 2 Chronicles 8:5 And of Beth-horon the higher and the lower,
walled towns with walls anddoorways and locks; (BBE). 2...
Floor (69 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Ezekiel 40:18 And the stone floor was by the side of thedoorways, and was
as wide as thedoorways were long, even the lower floor. (BBE)....
Viewing (6 Occurrences)
... the dragon's water-spring as far as the place where waste material was put, viewing
the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down, and thedoorways which had...
Wasted (106 Occurrences)
... John 5:3 In thesedoorways there were a great number of people with different diseases:
some unable to see, some without the power of walking, some with wasted...
Water-spring (16 Occurrences)
... the dragon's water-spring as far as the place where waste material was put, viewing
the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down, and thedoorways which had...
Roads (34 Occurrences)
... place; (BBE). Proverbs 8:3 Where the roads go into the town her cry goes
out, at thedoorways her voice is loud: (BBE). Isaiah 33:8...
Dragon's (1 Occurrence)
... the dragon's water-spring as far as the place where waste material was put, viewing
the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down, and thedoorways which had...
Different (87 Occurrences)
... John 5:3 In thesedoorways there were a great number of people with different diseases:
some unable to see, some without the power of walking, some with wasted...
Dophkah (2 Occurrences)
Resources
What was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Passover? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a Mezuzah? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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