Topical Bible: Gates of Cities: Markets Held At

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In ancient biblical times, the gates of cities held significant importance not only as defensive structures but also as central hubs of social, economic, and judicial activity. The gates served as the primary entry and exit points of a city, making them ideal locations for various public gatherings, including markets.

Economic Activity at the Gates

The gates of cities were bustling centers of commerce. Merchants and traders would set up their stalls and booths at these strategic locations to sell their goods to both city dwellers and travelers. The constant flow of people through the gates ensured a steady stream of potential customers, making it a prime location for market activities. The Bible provides several references to the economic activities that took place at the city gates.

In 2 Kings 7:1, the prophet Elisha prophesies about the abundance of food that would be sold at the gate of Samaria: "Elisha replied, 'Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.'" This passage highlights the role of city gates as marketplaces where essential goods were traded.

Judicial and Social Functions

Apart from their economic significance, city gates also served as venues for legal and social interactions. Elders and leaders of the community would often gather at the gates to discuss and resolve legal matters, making it a place of judgment and decision-making. This is evident in passages such as Ruth 4:1-2, where Boaz goes to the town gate to settle a legal matter concerning the redemption of land: "Meanwhile Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom Boaz had spoken came along. Boaz said, 'Come over here, my friend, and sit down.' So he went over and sat down. Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, 'Sit here,' and they did so."

The gates also served as places for public announcements and proclamations. In Proverbs 31:23, the virtuous woman's husband is described as being "respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." This indicates the gates' role as a place of honor and public recognition.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The gates of cities were not only centers of commerce and justice but also held cultural and religious significance. They were often the sites of important religious and communal events. In Nehemiah 8:1-3, we see the gathering of the people at the Water Gate to hear the reading of the Law: "All the people gathered as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand."

The gates thus served as focal points for the community, where economic, judicial, social, and religious activities intersected, reflecting the multifaceted role they played in the life of ancient cities.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 7:1,18
Then Elisha said, Hear you the word of the LORD; Thus said the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Farewell
... The Fora were of two kinds"fora venalia, "markets," and fora ... Its gates were of brass,
and it was adorned with ... to the Capitol was the asylum (Cities of refuge ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter i farewell.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... the king would have time to close his gates, and take ... In great cities such as Babylon
the palace occupied a ... affirms that in his time marriage markets were held ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The Persecutions of the Church.
... was made throughout the streets of the cities, and men ... The city gates were guarded
that none might escape; and ... period all provisions sold in the markets, in some ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the persecutions of.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... mixed population in touch with the court and markets of Nineveh ... As many as thy cities
in number So many O ... his throne In the openings of the gates of Jerusalem ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... army: Babylon threw open its gates without resistance ... opportune submission had preserved
his cities and country ... by the closing of the Greek and Italian markets. ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Close of the Theban Empire
... principally into the Delta and the cities of Middle ... majority of the citadels shut
their gates in the ... with manufacturing countries, and with the markets of Asia ...
/.../chapter iiithe close of the.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... Arvad was, among Phoenician cities, the nearest neighbour ... much modification, to the
markets of the ... the Phoenicians who employed them held continuous commercial ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... supreme there, but the coalition of those cities on which ... previous to their advent,
Babylon had held undivided sway ... the campaign, and there, at the gates of the ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... Jerusalem, description of, in time of Herod, i.111-113; shops and markets in, 115,
117, 118; ... Hellenic and Herodian cities in, 87, 88; ... its gates, 244; ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/index i of subjects.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... The gates of heaven are mentioned in the account of the ... all kinds, the rules for
the founding of cities, and the ... were amassed, no one of which was held to be ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm