For the latter purpose “broad” or open places (distinguished from the “streets” in Proverbs 7:12) were provided (1 Kings 22:10 Nehemiah 8:1), and these were the centers of the public life. Unfortunately, Palestine gives us little monumental detail.(2) As even farm labourers slept in the cities, most of the men passed through the gate every day, and the gate was the place for meeting others (Ruth 4:1 2 Samuel 15:2) and for assemblages. Sometimes an inner gate was added (2 Samuel 18:24). As the gate was especially subject to attack (Ezekiel 21:15,22), and as to “possess the gate” was to possess the city (Genesis 22:17 24:60), it was protected by a tower (2 Samuel 18:24,33 2 Chronicles 14:7 26:9), often, doubtless, overhanging and with flanking projections. Sometimes, perhaps, a portcullis was used, but Psalms 24:7 refers to the enlargement or enrichment of the gates. When closed, the doors were secured with a bar (usually of wood, Nahum 3:13, but sometimes of metal, 1 Kings 4:13 Psalms 107:16 Isaiah 45:2), which fitted into clamps on the doors and sockets in the post, uniting the whole firmly (Judges 16:3). Some doors were solid slabs of stone, from which the imagery of single jewels (Isaiah 54:12 Revelation 21:21) was derived. Josephus (BJ, V, v, 3) speaks of the solid metal doors of the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:2) as a very exceptional thing. Ordinarily, the material was wood (Nehemiah 2:3,17), but greater strength and protection against fire was given by plating with metal (Psalms 107:16 Isaiah 45:2). The usual gateway was provided with double doors, swung on projections that fitted into sockets in the sill and lintel. Gate (Hebrew normally (over 300 times) sha`ar occasionally deleth, properly, “gateway” (but compare Deuteronomy 3:5) elsewhere the gateway is pethach (compare especially Genesis 19:6) Aramaic tera` Greek pulon, pule the English Revised Version and the King James Version add caph, “threshold,” in 1 Chronicles 9:19,22 and the King James Version adds delathayim, “double-door,” in Isaiah 45:1 thura, “door,” Acts 3:2):(1). 1901.Encyclopedias – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia – Gate indicates this entry was also found in Easton’s Bible Dictionaryīibliography InformationSmith, William, Dr. ( 1 Kings 6:34 1 Kings 6:35 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. ( 6:9 Isaiah 64:12 Revelation 21:21 ) The gates of Solomons temple were very massive and costly, being overlaid with gold and carving. Sentences from the law were inscribed on and above the gates. ( Judges 9:52 ) The gateways of royal palaces and even of private houses were often richly ornamented. ( 3:6 Psalms 107:16 Isaiah 46:1 Isaiah 46:2 ) Gates not defended by iron were of course liable to be set on fire by an enemy. ( 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. ( 3:5 Joshua 2:5 Joshua 2:7 Judges 9:40 Judges 9:44 ) They contained chambers over the gateway. ( 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. ( 2 Kings 7:1 ) In heathen towns the open spaces near the gates appear to have been sometimes used as places for sacrifice. Places for public deliberation, administration of Justice, or of audience for kings and rulers or ambassadors.( 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. They are thus sometimes taken as representing the city itself. 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.

Bible gates