Topical Bible: Gates: Design of

◄ Gates: Design of ►

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In biblical times, gates served as critical components of city architecture, functioning not only as points of entry and exit but also as places of social and judicial activity. The design of gates in ancient Israelite cities was both practical and symbolic, reflecting the cultural, religious, and social values of the time.

Structural Design

The design of gates in ancient cities was robust and fortified, often constructed with heavy materials such as stone and wood to withstand attacks. Gates were typically part of a larger defensive wall system, as seen in cities like Jerusalem and Lachish. The Bible provides several references to the strength and fortification of city gates. For instance, in 2 Chronicles 14:7, King Asa of Judah is noted for building fortified cities with walls, towers, gates, and bars, emphasizing the importance of gates in city defense.

Double and Triple Gate Systems

Many ancient cities employed double or triple gate systems to enhance security. These systems included an outer gate, an inner gate, and sometimes a middle gate, creating a series of barriers that attackers would have to breach. This design is evident in archaeological findings at sites such as Megiddo and Gezer. The Bible alludes to such complex gate systems in passages like 2 Samuel 18:24, where the watchman is stationed between the two gates, indicating a layered gate structure.

Gate Chambers and Rooms

Gates often included chambers or rooms that served various functions. These chambers were used for administrative purposes, storage, and as meeting places for elders and judges. The book of Ruth provides an example of this, where Boaz goes to the town gate to settle legal matters (Ruth 4:1-11). The presence of elders at the gate underscores its role as a place of governance and justice.

Symbolic and Religious Significance

Gates held significant symbolic and religious meaning in biblical times. They were seen as places of authority and power, where leaders and judges would sit to make decisions. Proverbs 31:23 describes the husband of the virtuous woman as being "respected at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land," highlighting the gate's role as a center of communal life and leadership.

Moreover, gates were often associated with divine protection and blessing. In Psalm 147:13, the psalmist declares, "For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your children within you," illustrating the belief that God’s favor and protection were manifested through the security of the city gates.

Decorative Elements

While primarily functional, gates could also be adorned with decorative elements that reflected the city's wealth and status. These might include carvings, inscriptions, or metalwork. The gates of Solomon's temple, for example, were overlaid with gold, as described in 1 Kings 6:34-35, where the two doors of cypress wood were carved with cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and overlaid with gold.

Conclusion

The design of gates in biblical times was a complex interplay of functionality, security, and symbolism. They were not only essential for the defense and administration of a city but also served as significant cultural and religious symbols, reflecting the values and beliefs of the Israelite society.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 62:10
Go through, go through the gates; prepare you the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Jonathan was Slain by Treachery; and How Thereupon the Jews ...
... but believed that Trypho gave him this advice out of kindness, and with a sincere
design. ... But when the people of Ptolemais had shut their gates, as it had been ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jonathan was.htm

Psalm C.
... few are all good: it is, nevertheless, a good and praiseworthy design in man ... there,
when we shall reach thereunto, is complete security, when the gates are shut ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm c.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... subservient; yet the steps by which He is carrying forward His design, are, for ... founded
upon the Rock of Ages, is building, advancing, and the gates of hell ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

The Ascension of Messiah to Glory
... display a precision of arrangement in the parts, and an importance of design in
the ... admittance for it in these words, Lift up you heads, O ye gates, etc., and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvi the ascension of.htm

The Unity of the Church.
... to show that it will last, or, as the Divine Speaker proceeds, that "the gates of
hell ... This is the design, of Christ, I say, implied in the institution of the ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xvii the unity of.htm

Why was Evolution the Method Chosen?
... Can we perceive no high design in selecting this particular design, no worthy ... For
unnumbered millions he opens or shuts the gates of happiness, and paves the ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/iii why was evolution the.htm

Commandments to Women.
... fruits of her lips, and let her husband be praised in the gates." [2572] And ... For
although thou dost not these wicked things with design of sinning thyself, but ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii commandments to women.htm

The Arians and the Supporters of the Homoousion' Hold Nocturnal ...
... they paraded through the midst of the city, and so passed out of the gates to go ...
John's design indeed seemed to be good, but it issued in tumult and dangers. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter viii the arians and the.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles
... It was God's design that at this time the people should reflect on His ... measured tread,
chanting meanwhile, "Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 49 at the feast.htm

How Alexander Honored Jonathan after an Extraordinary Manner; and ...
... afraid he would take them by force, and so they opened the gates to him. ... he was very
near to a most unexpected destruction; for a treacherous design was laid ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how alexander honored.htm