Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the structure and function of houses were integral to daily life and spiritual symbolism. The entrance to a house, typically through a gate or door, held significant practical and theological importance.Architectural and Cultural Context Houses in ancient Israel and surrounding regions were often constructed with a focus on security and privacy. The entrance, whether a simple door or a more elaborate gate, served as the primary point of access and was crucial for protection against intruders and wild animals. The design of these entrances varied depending on the wealth and status of the inhabitants. Wealthier homes might feature a courtyard with a gate, while simpler dwellings had a single door. Biblical References The Bible frequently mentions doors and gates in both literal and metaphorical contexts. In Genesis 19:6, Lot goes out to meet the men of Sodom at the entrance of his house, illustrating the door as a place of negotiation and protection. Similarly, in Exodus 12:7, the Israelites are instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of the Passover lamb, signifying divine protection and the threshold as a boundary between life and death. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of a door to convey spiritual truths. In John 10:9 , He declares, "I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved." Here, the door symbolizes access to salvation and the kingdom of God, emphasizing the exclusivity and necessity of entering through Christ. Symbolism and Spiritual Significance The door or gate of a house often symbolizes transition and decision. In Deuteronomy 6:9, the Israelites are commanded to write God's commandments on the doorposts of their houses, signifying the importance of keeping God's law at the forefront of daily life. This practice, known as the mezuzah, remains a tradition in Jewish homes today. In Revelation 3:20 , Jesus states, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." This passage highlights the door as a metaphor for the heart, where Christ seeks entry to establish a personal relationship with believers. Covenantal and Communal Aspects The entrance to a house also played a role in covenantal and communal life. In Ruth 4:1, Boaz goes to the town gate to settle legal matters, indicating that gates were places of judgment and community gathering. The door or gate thus served as a threshold not only for individual homes but also for communal interaction and legal proceedings. In summary, the concept of houses entered by a gate or door in the Bible encompasses a rich tapestry of practical, symbolic, and spiritual meanings. These entrances were not merely physical structures but also represented deeper theological truths about protection, transition, and divine relationship. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 43:19And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 12:22 Luke 16:20 Acts 10:17 Library A Description of Some Parts of Ancient Jerusalem. The Great Denial Waiting Only Upon God The Strait Gate; Account of the Bishops Euphratas and vincentius, and of the Plot ... Jewish Homes Peter's Denial and Repentance. Jacob Boehme's "Way of Salvation" Greek and Jew The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements. Resources Summary of the Book of Exodus - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the doctrine of substitution? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about self-gratification / self-pleasure? | GotQuestions.org Houses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Houses in Cities, Built in Streets Houses of Brick or Clay: Easily Broken Through Houses of Brick or Clay: Often Swept Away by Torrents Houses of Brick or Clay: Plastered Houses of Criminals, Desolated Houses: (Building of) of Great Prosperity Houses: (Built and not Inhabited) of Calamity Houses: (Insecurity of) of Earthly Trust Houses: (On a Rock) the Hope of Saints Houses: (On Sand) the Delusive Hope of Hypocrites Houses: (To Inhabit Those, Built by Others) Abundant Feelings Houses: Accessible from the Outside Houses: Admission To, Gained by Knocking at the Door Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Ceiled and Painted Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Hung With Rich Tapestries Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Inlaid With Ivory Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Large and Airy Houses: Apartments of, Were often: Warmed With Fires Houses: Built of Hewn or Cut Stone Houses: Built of Stone and Wood Houses: Custom of Fastening Nails, in Walls of, Alluded To Houses: Deep and Solid Foundations Required For Houses: Desolation of, Threatened As a Punishment Houses: Divided Into Apartments Houses: Doors of, How Fastened Houses: Doors of, Low and Small for Safety Houses: Entered by a Gate or Door Houses: had often Detached Apartments for Secrecy and for Strangers Houses: had often Several Stories Houses: Law Respecting the Sale of Houses: Often Broken Down to Repair City Walls Before Sieges Houses: Often Built on City Walls Houses: Serpents often Lodged in Walls of Houses: Sometimes Built Without Foundation Houses: Street Windows of, High and Dangerous Houses: The Courts of, Large and Used As Apartments Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Booths on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Idolatrous Altars on Them Houses: The Flat Roofs of Often Covered With Week Grass Houses: The Flat Roofs of Resorted to in Grief Houses: The Flat Roofs of Surrounded With Battlements Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Devotion Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Drying Flax Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Exercise Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Making Proclamations Houses: The Flat Roofs of Used for Secret Conference Houses: Upper Apartments of, the Best, and Used for Entertainments Houses: when Finished Were Usually Dedicated Related Terms |
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