Dictionary of Bible Themes – 5323 gate
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5323 gate

5323 gate

A point of entry to a walled city or walled-off area, such as the temple. It was a place where business was transacted and where justice and punishment were dispensed. It is used figuratively of the entry to death and also of the starting-point of the Christian life.

The purpose of gates as defended points of entry

Dt 3:5 The gates of Jericho: Jos 2:5,7
Jdg 5:8; 1Sa 23:7; 2Ch 8:5; 2Ch 14:7; Ps 107:16; Ps 147:13; Isa 22:7; Isa 45:1-2 The destruction of Babylon’s gates foretold: Jer 51:30,58
Eze 38:11; Eze 46:9; Hos 11:6; Lk 7:12 Jesus Christ approaches Nain; Ac 9:24; Ac 12:10; Ac 16:13 The new Jerusalem: Rev 21:25; Rev 22:14

Examples of gates

The gates of Jerusalem Ne 2:13-15 See also 2Ki 14:13 pp 2Ch 25:23; Ne 1:3; Ne 2:3,8 The Sheep Gate: Ne 3:1,32; Jn 5:2
Ne 3:3,6,13-15 the Valley Gate, Dung Gate and Fountain Gate; Ne 3:26 the Water Gate; Ne 3:28-29,31; Ne 6:1; Ne 7:3; Ne 11:19; Ne 12:39; Ps 122:2; Isa 60:11; Jer 1:15

The gates of the temple Ac 3:2 See also 2Ch 23:19; 2Ch 24:8; 2Ch 31:2; Jer 20:2; Eze 44:11; Ac 3:10

Other examples of gates Jos 6:26 See also Ge 28:17; 1Sa 17:52; 1Ki 16:34; Mt 16:18; Jn 10:1-3; Ac 10:17

Uses of the area around the gate

A place of (sometimes false) worship 2Ch 31:2 See also 2Ki 23:8; Ps 9:14; Ps 118:19-20; Eze 46:2; Ac 14:13

A place of business Ge 23:10-11 See also Ru 4:1,11; 2Ki 7:1,18; Ne 13:19-22

A place where decisions are made and justice dispensed Ge 34:19-20 See also Dt 21:19; Dt 22:13-19; Dt 25:7-10; Jos 20:4; 2Sa 15:2; 1Ki 22:10; Est 2:19,21; Est 3:2-3

A place of punishment, banishment and begging Dt 17:5 See also Dt 22:23-24; Jos 8:29; 2Ki 7:3; Jer 20:2; Eze 21:15; Lk 16:20; Heb 13:12; Rev 22:14-15

A place of counsel Pr 1:20-21; Pr 8:1-3

Figurative use of the gate

Coming to worship Ps 24:7-10; Ps 100:4

The entrance to death Isa 38:10 See also Job 17:16; Job 38:17; Ps 9:13; Ps 107:18

The entrance to the Christian life Mt 7:13-14 See also Jn 10:7-10

The entry to the heavenly city of God Rev 22:14 See also Eze 48:30-34; Rev 21:12-15,21,25

See also

2377kingdom of God, entry into
4841narrowness
5256city
5299door
5315fortifications
5316fortress
5324gatekeepers

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