(1.) Of cities, as of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 37:13; Nehemiah 1:3; 2:3; 3:3), of Sodom (Genesis 19:1), of Gaza (Judges 16:3).
(2.) Of royal palaces (Nehemiah 2:8).
(3.) Of the temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6:34, 35; 2 Kings 18:16); of the holy place (1 Kings 6:31, 32; Ezek. 41:23, 24); of the outer courts of the temple, the beautiful gate (Acts 3:2).
(4.) Tombs (Matthew 27:60).
(5.) Prisons (Acts 12:10; 16:27).
(6.) Caverns (1 Kings 19:13).
(7.) Camps (Exodus 32:26, 27; Hebrews 13:12).
The materials of which gates were made were,
(1.) Iron and brass (Psalm 107:16; Isaiah 45:2; Acts 12:10).
(2.) Stones and pearls (Isaiah 54:12; Revelation 21:21).
(3.) Wood (Judges 16:3) probably.
At the gates of cities courts of justice were frequently held, and hence "judges of the gate" are spoken of (Deuteronomy 16:18; 17:8; 21:19; 25:6, 7, etc.). At the gates prophets also frequently delivered their messages (Proverbs 1:21; 8:3; Isaiah 29:21; Jeremiah 17:19, 20; 26:10). Criminals were punished without the gates (1 Kings 21:13; Acts 7:59). By the "gates of righteousness" we are probably to understand those of the temple (Psalm 118:19). "The gates of hell" (R.V., "gates of Hades") Matthew 16:18, are generally interpreted as meaning the power of Satan, but probably they may mean the power of death, denoting that the Church of Christ shall never die.
