Deuteronomy 22:24

22:24 you must bring the two of them to the gate of that city and stone them to death, the young woman because she did not cry out though in the city and the man because he violated ¹  his neighbor’s fiancée; ²  in this way you will purge ³  evil from among you.

Job 29:7

29:7 When I went out to the city gate

and secured my seat in the public square, ⁴ 

Isaiah 28:6

28:6 He will give discernment to the one who makes judicial decisions,

and strength to those who defend the city from attackers. ⁵ 

Jeremiah 7:2

7:2 “Stand in the gate of the Lord’s temple and proclaim ⁶  this message: ‘Listen, all you people of Judah who have passed through these gates to worship the Lord. ⁷  Hear what the Lord has to say.

¹ tn Heb “humbled.”

² tn Heb “wife.”

³ tn Heb “burn.” See note on the phrase “purge out” in Deut 21:21.

⁴ sn In the public square. The area referred to here should not be thought of in terms of modern western dimensions. The wide space, plaza, or public square mentioned here is the open area in the gate complex where legal and business matters were conducted. The area could be as small as a few hundred square feet.

⁵ tn Heb “and [he will become] a spirit of justice for the one who sits [i.e., presides] over judgment, // and strength [for] the ones who turn back battle at the city gate.” The Lord will provide internal stability and national security.

⁶ tn Heb “Proclaim there…” The adverb is unnecessary in English style.

⁷ sn That is, all those who have passed through the gates of the outer court and are standing in the courtyard of the temple.