Topical Bible: Gates: Criminals Generally Punished Without

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In biblical times, the gates of a city held significant importance not only as physical structures but also as centers of social, economic, and judicial activity. The gates served as the primary entry and exit points of a city, and they were often the location where important civic and legal matters were conducted. This included the administration of justice, where criminals were often judged and punished.

The concept of administering justice at the city gates is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern tradition, where the gates functioned as a public forum. Elders and judges would gather at the gates to hear cases and render decisions. This practice is reflected in several biblical passages, underscoring the gates' role as a place of judgment and punishment.

In Deuteronomy 21:18-21, the law concerning a rebellious son illustrates the judicial function of the city gates. The passage instructs that if a man has a stubborn and rebellious son, the parents are to bring him to the elders at the gate of his city. There, the elders are to hear the case and, if the son is found guilty, he is to be stoned to death by the men of the city. This demonstrates the gates as a place where serious offenses were addressed and punishment was meted out.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 22:24, the gates are mentioned as the place where a man and a woman caught in adultery are to be brought and stoned. The passage states, "you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you." This reinforces the idea that the gates were a place for public justice and the execution of punishment.

The Book of Proverbs also alludes to the gates as a place of judgment. 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 suggests that the gates were a place where respected leaders and judges gathered to deliberate and make decisions.

In the New Testament, the gates continue to symbolize a place of judgment and authority. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus speaks of the "gates of Hades" not prevailing against His church, using the imagery of gates as a metaphor for the powers of death and evil. This metaphorical use highlights the gates as a place of authority and decision-making.

The practice of punishing criminals at the gates served both as a deterrent to crime and as a means of maintaining public order. By conducting judicial proceedings in a public setting, the community was involved in the process of justice, reinforcing societal norms and values. The gates, therefore, were not only physical structures but also symbolic of the community's commitment to uphold justice and righteousness according to the laws given by God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 24:23
And Moses spoke to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
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John 19:17
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
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Hebrews 13:12
Why Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
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Library

The Invisible Patriarch
... be with His Church forever and that the gates of Hell ... refused to accept the Arian
creed were treated as criminals. ... to give the most money being generally chosen ...
/.../forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 8 the invisible patriarch.htm

Questions on the Explanations
... 225. What are the "gates of Heaven"? 226. ... 284. Why were no criminals put to death
in Jerusalem? 285. ... 519. What works are generally enjoined for indulgences? ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/questions on the explanations.htm

The Sixth Book
... control, and in these they are criminals; they yield ... feasts when the enemy were actually
entering the gates. ... of the phrase, and its generally symbolic meaning ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the sixth book.htm

Conclusion --Repent Ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.
... The excited crowd, generally deluded by their leaders, don't ... sends the army to war
and orders criminals to be ... Toula, I saw once again at the gates of the ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xii conclusionrepent ye for.htm

Matt. xv. 21, 22
... we, on seeing the places in which the criminals are beheaded ... For if it opened the
gates of hell, and ... The English versions generally disregard the plural form.--R ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lii matt xv 21.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... would have time to close his gates, and take ... I have adopted the generally received
meaning ... by creditors of their liberty, and criminals judicially condemned. ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... this year the Republican troops were generally pious men. ... of them betrayed one of
the gates; the women ... practiced in the king's presence were signally punished. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm