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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: The City Gate</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_city_gate.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/proverbs/31-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/c/city.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > The City Gate</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/the_city_clerk.htm" title="The City Clerk">◄</a> The City Gate <a href="/topical/t/the_city_gate_of_sodom.htm" title="The City Gate of Sodom">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The city gate in biblical times was a central feature of ancient Near Eastern cities, serving as more than just an entry and exit point. It was a place of significant social, economic, judicial, and political activity. The city gate was often a large, fortified structure, sometimes with multiple chambers and towers, designed to protect the city from invaders. It was a hub of daily life and a symbol of a city's strength and security.<br><br><b>Social and Economic Hub</b><br><br>The city gate was a bustling center of commerce and social interaction. Merchants would set up stalls to sell their goods, and travelers would gather to exchange news and information. In <a href="/proverbs/31-23.htm">Proverbs 31:23</a>, the virtuous woman's husband is described as being "respected at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land." This indicates the gate's role as a place of social standing and community engagement.<br><br><b>Judicial and Legal Functions</b><br><br>The city gate also served as a courtroom where legal matters were adjudicated. Elders and judges would sit at the gate to hear disputes and render decisions. In <a href="/deuteronomy/21-19.htm">Deuteronomy 21:19</a>, it is instructed that a rebellious son should be brought "to the elders at the gate of his city" for judgment. Similarly, in <a href="/ruth/4.htm">Ruth 4:1-11</a>, Boaz goes to the city gate to settle the matter of redeeming Ruth, highlighting the gate's function as a place of legal transactions and covenant-making.<br><br><b>Political and Administrative Center</b><br><br>Politically, the city gate was a place where leaders and officials conducted city business. Kings and rulers would often make proclamations or hold audiences at the gate. In <a href="/2_samuel/19-8.htm">2 Samuel 19:8</a>, King David sits at the city gate to address his people, demonstrating the gate's role as a venue for political leadership and communication.<br><br><b>Symbol of Protection and Strength</b><br><br>The city gate was a symbol of a city's defense and resilience. It was often the first line of defense against invaders, and its strength was crucial for the city's survival. In <a href="/psalms/147-13.htm">Psalm 147:13</a>, the psalmist praises God for strengthening the bars of the city gates, signifying divine protection and security.<br><br><b>Spiritual and Prophetic Significance</b><br><br>In addition to its practical functions, the city gate held spiritual and prophetic significance. Prophets would sometimes deliver messages at the gate, using it as a platform to reach the people. In <a href="/jeremiah/17-19.htm">Jeremiah 17:19-20</a>, the Lord instructs Jeremiah to stand at the gate of the people and proclaim His message. The gate thus served as a conduit for divine communication and a place of spiritual reflection.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>The city gate was an integral part of ancient city life, embodying the multifaceted nature of community interaction in biblical times. It was a place where social, economic, judicial, and political activities converged, and it held deep symbolic and spiritual meaning within the biblical narrative.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/city.htm">City</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/city_of_confusion.htm">City of Confusion</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/city_of_david.htm">City of David</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/city_of_destruction.htm">City of Destruction</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/city_of_palm_trees.htm">City of Palm Trees</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/city_of_salt.htm">City of Salt</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/city_of_waters.htm">City of Waters</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/city_upon_a_hill.htm">City Upon a Hill</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/side.htm">Side (4225 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/talked.htm">Talked (79 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/refuge.htm">Refuge (111 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/broad.htm">Broad (113 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/city's.htm">City's (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/talk.htm">Talk (164 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/philippians.htm">Philippians (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/city.htm">City</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beyond.htm">Beyond (209 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/street.htm">Street (54 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah (104 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fortified.htm">Fortified (79 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fort.htm">Fort (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fortress.htm">Fortress (75 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fortification.htm">Fortification (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/square.htm">Square (94 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sitting.htm">Sitting (201 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cities.htm">Cities (427 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/reason.htm">Reason (438 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gate.htm">Gate (248 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/babel.htm">Babel (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon (270 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua (211 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/discomfiture.htm">Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/the_city_clerk.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="The City Clerk"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="The City Clerk" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/the_city_gate_of_sodom.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="The City Gate of Sodom"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="The City Gate of Sodom" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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