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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: City Gate</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/c/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/genesis/23-10.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> > 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/c/city_elders.htm" title="City Elders">◄</a> City Gate <a href="/topical/c/city_gates.htm" title="City Gates">►</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 crucial element of urban life, serving as more than just an entry or exit point for a city. It was a place of significant social, economic, judicial, and political activity. The city gate was often a large, fortified structure, sometimes with multiple gates and chambers, designed to protect the city from invaders while facilitating commerce and governance.<br><br><b>Social and Economic Hub</b><br><br>The city gate was a bustling center of activity. Merchants and traders would set up their stalls near the gate to sell goods to travelers and locals alike. This is evident in the account of Abraham purchasing a burial plot for Sarah from Ephron the Hittite, which took place at the city gate of Hebron (<a href="/genesis/23-10.htm">Genesis 23:10-18</a>). The gate served as a marketplace where business transactions were conducted and witnessed by the community.<br><br><b>Judicial and Legal Functions</b><br><br>The city gate was also the place where legal matters were addressed and justice was administered. Elders and judges would sit at the gate to hear disputes and make legal decisions. This is illustrated in the account of Boaz, who went to the city gate to redeem Ruth and settle the matter of her marriage in the presence of the town elders (<a href="/ruth/4.htm">Ruth 4:1-11</a>). The gate functioned as a courtroom where legal proceedings were public and transparent.<br><br><b>Political and Administrative Center</b><br><br>City gates were often the site of important political announcements and decisions. Kings and leaders would use the gate to address the people, as seen in the account of King David, who sat at the gate to meet with his troops and subjects (<a href="/2_samuel/19-8.htm">2 Samuel 19:8</a>). The gate was a place where leaders could communicate directly with the populace and where civic matters were discussed.<br><br><b>Symbol of Authority and Power</b><br><br>The city gate symbolized authority and power. Control of the gate meant control of the city. This is reflected in the biblical blessing given to Rebekah: "May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies" (<a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Genesis 24:60</a>), signifying victory and dominion over adversaries. The gate was a strategic point in warfare, and its capture often signaled the fall of a city.<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 often delivered messages from God at the gates, as they were places where people gathered. Jeremiah was instructed to stand at the gate of the Lord's house to proclaim God's word (<a href="/jeremiah/7-2.htm">Jeremiah 7:2</a>). The gates also served as metaphors in prophetic literature, symbolizing access to divine blessings or judgment.<br><br><b>Cultural and Architectural Features</b><br><br>Architecturally, city gates varied in design but were typically robust and imposing. They might include towers, chambers, and benches for elders. Archaeological discoveries, such as the gates of ancient cities like Megiddo and Gezer, provide insight into their construction and significance. The gates were often adorned with inscriptions or symbols representing the city's identity and values.<br><br>In summary, the city gate was a multifaceted institution in biblical times, integral to the social, economic, judicial, and spiritual life of the community. It was a place where the everyday and the extraordinary intersected, reflecting the complex dynamics of ancient urban life.</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/c/city_elders.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="City Elders"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="City Elders" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/c/city_gates.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="City Gates"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="City Gates" /></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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