In biblical times, gateways held significant importance both in the physical and spiritual realms. They served as entry points to cities, temples, and homes, and were often places of judgment, commerce, and social interaction. The concept of gateways is rich with symbolism and meaning throughout the Scriptures.

Physical Gateways

1. City Gates: City gates were crucial for defense and control. They were often fortified and guarded to protect against invaders. In ancient Israel, city gates were more than just physical structures; they were centers of community life. Leaders and elders would sit at the gates to administer justice and conduct business. For example, in the Book of Ruth, Boaz goes to the city gate to settle the matter of Ruth's redemption (Ruth 4:1-11).

2. Temple Gates: The gates of the temple in Jerusalem were significant for worship and religious observance. Psalm 100:4 encourages believers to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." The temple gates were a place of entry into the presence of God, symbolizing the transition from the secular to the sacred.

3. Household Gates: Gates of homes also held importance. They were places where families would inscribe the words of the Law, as instructed in Deuteronomy 6:9 : "Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates." This practice served as a constant reminder of God's commandments.

Spiritual and Symbolic Gateways

1. Gateways to the Heart and Mind: Scripture often uses the metaphor of gates to describe the entry points to a person's heart and mind. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." Just as physical gates protect a city, spiritual gates protect one's inner being from harmful influences.

2. Heavenly Gates: The Bible speaks of heavenly gates, symbolizing access to God's eternal kingdom. In Revelation 21:12 , the New Jerusalem is described as having "a great, high wall with twelve gates," each gate representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. These gates signify the inclusivity and order of God's divine plan.

3. Christ as the Gate: Jesus Christ is described as the gate through which believers enter into eternal life. In John 10:9 , Jesus declares, "I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved." This metaphor emphasizes the exclusivity of Christ as the only way to salvation and the security found in Him.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, gates were not only functional but also symbolic of power and authority. They were often adorned with inscriptions and reliefs that conveyed the might of the city or ruler. The gates of Babylon, for instance, were famously grand and served as a testament to the city's strength and splendor.

Judgment and Prophecy

Gateways also appear in prophetic literature as places of judgment and decision. In Amos 5:15 , the prophet calls for justice to be established at the gate: "Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate." This reflects the role of gates as places where societal values and divine justice intersect.

Conclusion

Gateways in the Bible are multifaceted, serving as physical structures, spiritual symbols, and cultural icons. They represent points of transition, decision, and access, both in the temporal world and in the spiritual journey of faith. Through the imagery of gates, Scripture communicates profound truths about protection, community, and the path to salvation.

He Wishes, Indeed, to Compare the Articles of Our Faith to those ...
... the Egyptians; "among whom, as you approach their sacred edifices, are to be seen
splendid enclosures, and groves, and large and beautiful gateways, [3480] and ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xvii he wishes indeed.htm

Jeremiah and Deuteronomy. (Chs. vii, viii. 8, xi. )
... for their priests beside the priests of the Temple.(264) In any case we find Jeremiah
henceforth in Jerusalem, delivering his Words in the gateways or courts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 jeremiah and deuteronomy chs.htm

Babylon.
... There were one hundred brazen gates in the wall, besides two larger gateways upon
the Euphrates, which ran through the middle, dividing the city into two parts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm

An Unwalled City
... In the Europe of today there are still fortified places, but for the most part,
battlements are turned into promenades; the gateways are gateless; the sweet ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/an unwalled city.htm

What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... A flagged avenue, closed by two gateways, divides this court from the basilica,
properly so called, which is reached by a staircase between two columns. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii what was heard in.htm

The Old Gravestone
... Through thee shall the old couple again walk arm-in-arm through the ancient gateways,
and sit with smiling faces on the bench under the lime tree, greeting ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the old gravestone.htm

The Sethians Support their Doctrines by an Allegorical ...
... for pros we should read eis. [544] pleiosi: Miller would read puleosi. ie,
gateways. [545] Or petrotos, intended for petrodes, "made ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xv the sethians support their.htm

The Epistle to the Philippians.
... even a village on the site, but only a caravansary, a mile or more from the ruins,
which consist of a theatre, broken marble columns, two lofty gateways, and a ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 97 the epistle to.htm

Ezekiel
... Chs. xl.-xliii. embrace the description and measurement of the temple, with its
courts, gateways, chambers, decorations, priests' rooms and altar. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... This latter object is by far the most considerable relic of ancient Italica; it
is oval in its form, with two gateways, fronting the east and west. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 17.htm

Gateways (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gateways (6 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 22:3 And
David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the ...
/g/gateways.htm - 7k

Assur (2 Occurrences)
... The wall was pierced with several gateways; the names "Gate of Assur,"
"Gate of the Tigris," "Gate of the Sun God" have survived. ...
/a/assur.htm - 13k

Asshur (133 Occurrences)
... The wall was pierced with several gateways; the names "Gate of Assur,"
"Gate of the Tigris," "Gate of the Sun God" have survived. ...
/a/asshur.htm - 46k

Sherghat
... The wall was pierced with several gateways; the names "Gate of Assur,"
"Gate of the Tigris," "Gate of the Sun God" have survived. ...
/s/sherghat.htm - 12k

Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... NINEVEH AND ITS SURROUNDINGS 1. Its Walls 2. Principal Mounds and Gateways 3. Extent
and Population within the Walls 4. Extent outside the Walls 5. Calah ...
/n/nineveh.htm - 52k

Gateway (40 Occurrences)

/g/gateway.htm - 18k

Fenced (61 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 14:10). The gateways of such cities were also fortified (Nehemiah
2:8; 3:3, 6; Judges 16:2, 3; 1 Samuel 23:7). The Hebrews ...
/f/fenced.htm - 27k

Erech (2 Occurrences)
... This space is very full of remains of buildings; and the foundations of the walls,
with their various windings, gateways and defenses, are traceable even now. ...
/e/erech.htm - 13k

Babel (3 Occurrences)
... says, there was a deep and broad moat full of water, and then came a wall 50 royal
cubits thick and 200 cubits high, pierced by 100 gateways with brazen gates ...
/b/babel.htm - 63k

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