The materials of which gates were made were,
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" (RSV, "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.