In the ancient Near Eastern context, city gates were not merely passageways for entering and exiting a city; they held significant social, economic, and judicial functions. In the biblical narrative, gates often served as the location for important civic activities, including the administration of justice and the exercise of royal authority. The gates of a city were, in many respects, the thrones of kings and leaders, where they would sit to judge, make decrees, and conduct the business of governance.

Judicial and Civic Functions

The gates of a city were central to its judicial system. It was at the gates that elders and judges would sit to hear cases and render decisions. This is evident in the account of Boaz, who went to the gate of Bethlehem to settle the matter of Ruth's redemption (Ruth 4:1-11). The gate served as a public forum where legal transactions were witnessed and validated by the community.

In Deuteronomy 16:18, the Israelites are instructed to appoint judges and officials for each of their tribes in every town, emphasizing the role of the gates as places of judgment: "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly."

Royal Authority and Governance

The gates also symbolized royal authority. Kings and leaders would sit at the gates to exercise their rule and make proclamations. In 2 Samuel 19:8, King David takes his seat at the gate to address the people after the death of his son Absalom: "So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When all the people were told, 'Look, the king is sitting in the gateway,' they all came before him."

Similarly, in the book of Esther, Mordecai is found sitting at the king's gate, a position that indicates his role in the administration of the Persian Empire (Esther 2:19, 21). The gate was a place where matters of state were discussed and where the king's presence was felt, even if he was not physically present.

Symbol of Wisdom and Counsel

The gates were also associated with wisdom and counsel. Proverbs 31:23 describes the husband of the virtuous woman as being "respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." This highlights the gate as a place where wise counsel and leadership were recognized and esteemed.

Prophetic and Eschatological Significance

In the prophetic literature, gates often carry eschatological significance. They are depicted as places where God's justice and righteousness will be established. Isaiah 62:10-11 speaks of preparing the way for the people and raising a banner for the nations at the gates, symbolizing the coming of God's salvation and the establishment of His kingdom.

The gates of Jerusalem hold particular significance in the eschatological vision of the New Jerusalem, as described in Revelation 21:12-13. The twelve gates of the city, each named after one of the tribes of Israel, signify the fulfillment of God's promises and the gathering of His people.

Conclusion

In summary, the gates of ancient cities were multifaceted in their function and symbolism. They served as places of judgment, royal authority, wisdom, and prophetic significance. The biblical portrayal of gates as thrones of kings underscores their importance in the social, political, and spiritual life of the community.1 Kings 22:10
And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
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2 Chronicles 18:9
And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
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Jeremiah 38:7
Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
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Jeremiah 39:3
And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
Nave's Topical Index

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... They had twenty gates made of solid brass, and were ... The Assyrian kings of western
Asia, also invaded the ... The thrones of these ancient monarchies were, at first ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
... Other thrones are unsafe; they stand tottering. ... Having shown wherein the saints in
glory are like kings, let us see ... The gates are of pearl' (Revelation 21:21). ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/5 the poor in spirit.htm

Isaiah's
... voice unto them, wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the ... chief ones
of the earth; It hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/x isaiahs.htm

Pride and Humility
... the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings
of the ... He opens wide the flood-gates of his heart to let men see how deep ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/pride and humility.htm

Pride and Humility
... the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings
of the ... he opens wide the flood-gates of his heart, to let men see how deep ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/pride and humility.htm

Christ's Exaltation
... that condemned him; kings must leave their thrones and come ... clad in his princes'
robes, and the kings of the ... is a pleasant city, streets of gold, gates of pearl ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/7 christs exaltation.htm

Nearest to Christ
... books were in its head, there will be some hope that the gates of heaven ... of the royal
seats for their occupants, and of the kings for their thrones, is the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/nearest to christ.htm

The Millennium in Relation to Israel.
... ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the ... build up thy walls, and their
kings shall minister ... Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the millennium in relation.htm

The Interest of his Biography.
... clothed in soft raiment or found in kings' courts." Not ... Palestine caused to tremble
on their thrones; while he ... origin and mission, behind whom the gates of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/i the interest of his.htm

The Controversy Ended.
... of God, and flows out beyond the gates, flooding the ... majesty and power, the King
of kings pronounces sentence ... of kingdoms, the overturning of thrones, the long ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /42 the controversy ended.htm

What is the significance of the twelve gates in Revelation 21? | GotQuestions.org

What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

What are the gates of hell? | GotQuestions.org

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