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    Gate

    שַׁעַר (Sha'ar)

    A gate or entrance — the place of authority, justice, and spiritual access.

    Hebrew
    Strong's H8179
    Pronunciation: shah-AHR
    Quick Answer

    The Hebrew word sha'ar means gate or entrance, representing in Scripture a place of authority, justice, and spiritual access to God's presence.

    "Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter." — Psalm 118:19-20 (KJV)

    Key Verses

    Psalm 118:19-20

    “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.”
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    Psalm 24:7

    “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.”
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    Genesis 22:17

    “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.”
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    Strong's Concordance

    Strong's H8179 — Gate (שַׁעַר (Sha'ar))

    Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where שַׁעַר (Sha'ar) appears.

    Open Strong's H8179

    The Meaning of Sha'ar

    Sha'ar refers to the gate or entrance of a city. In the ancient world, the gate was far more than a doorway — it was the center of civic life. Elders sat at the gate to render judgments, business was conducted there, and community decisions were made. To 'possess the gate' of a city meant to hold authority over it.

    Gates of Righteousness

    The Psalms use gate imagery to describe access to God's presence. 'Open to me the gates of righteousness' is a plea for entrance into worship, into God's courts, into His holy presence. These gates are open to the righteous — those who approach God with clean hands and pure hearts.

    Gates in Spiritual Warfare

    Jesus promised that 'the gates of hell shall not prevail' against His church (Matthew 16:18). Gates represent strongholds and authority. This promise declares that no spiritual stronghold can stand against the advancing kingdom of God. The church is on the offensive, and hell's defenses cannot withstand it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What do gates symbolize in the Bible?

    Gates symbolize authority, justice, access, and power. City gates were places of governance and decision-making. Spiritually, gates represent access to God's presence and authority over spiritual territories.

    What does 'gates of hell shall not prevail' mean?

    Jesus promised that the defensive strongholds of death and evil cannot withstand the advance of His church. The gates of hell are defensive barriers that will fall before the power of the gospel.

    What is the Hebrew word for "Gate" in the Bible?

    שַׁעַר (Sha'ar), pronounced "shah-AHR." It means a gate or entrance — the place of authority, justice, and spiritual access. Its Strong's number is H8179. It is the word behind "Gate" in the Old Testament, for example in Psalm 118:19-20.

    What does "Gate" mean in the Bible?

    A gate or entrance — the place of authority, justice, and spiritual access. The underlying Hebrew word is שַׁעַר (Sha'ar) ("shah-AHR"), Strong's H8179. The Hebrew word sha'ar means gate or entrance, representing in Scripture a place of authority, justice, and spiritual access to God's presence.

    Related Words

    Door (Thura)
    Temple (Hieron)
    King
    Judge

    Related Reading

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    Word Meaning

    Gate (שַׁעַר (Sha'ar))

    A gate or entrance — the place of authority, justice, and spiritual access.

    Strong's

    Strong's H8179 — Gate

    שַׁעַר (Sha'ar) • A gate or entrance — the place of authority, justice, and spiritual access.

    Word Meaning

    Righteousness (Tsedaqah) (צְדָקָה (tsedaqah))

    Right standing and right action — conformity to God's character and covenant requirements.

    Strong's

    Strong's H6666 — Righteousness (Tsedaqah)

    צְדָקָה (tsedaqah) • Right standing and right action — conformity to God's character and covenant requirements.

    Dream Meaning

    Biblical Meaning of the Sun in a Dream (KJV)

    God's glory, Christ the Sun of righteousness, or His favor.

    Commentary

    Hebrews 12:11 Commentary

    In-depth study • Discipline & Growth

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