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; Ezekiel 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.