Bible dictionary for children
City gate
A city gate is an entrance through a city's wall.
In simple words
What does it mean?
A city gate is an entrance through a city's wall. In many ancient towns, the area around it was also a place for meetings and public decisions.
Boaz meets witnesses at the gate in Ruth 4. Their presence makes the agreement a public matter rather than a private conversation.
Talk about it
Why might witnesses be important when people make an agreement?
An example from the Bible
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Boaz Marries Ruth
Ruth 4:1–17
At the town gate, Boaz settles the family redemption in public, marries Ruth, and Naomi’s family receives a son.
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Bible context & readings +
Read the surrounding passage to see who is speaking and how this word or idea is being used. The linked reading opens the full chapter.
Related reading: Ruth 4:1
Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. Boaz said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” He came over, and sat down.Full readings at eBible.org · World English Bible Classic. Read with an adult.
