"a gate, Mt. 7:13, 14; Lk. 7:12; Acts 12:10; πύλαι ᾅδου, the gates of hades, the nether world and its powers, the powers of destruction, dissolution, Mt. 16:18"
Definition and meaning
a gate, Mt. 7:13, 14; Lk. 7:12; Acts 12:10; πύλαι ᾅδου, the gates of hades, the nether world and its powers, the powers of destruction, dissolution, Mt. 16:18
In the original Greek the word is written: πύλη
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of pyle (G4439) across the King James Bible.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
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Common questions
Strong's G4439 (pyle) is a Greek word that means: a gate, Mt. 7:13, 14; Lk. 7:12; Acts 12:10; πύλαι ᾅδου, the gates of hades, the nether world and its powers, the powers of destruction, dissolution, Mt. 16:18 It appears 9 times in the King James Bible.
The word pyle (G4439) appears 9 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4439 is pyle, a Greek word defined as: a gate, Mt. 7:13, 14; Lk. 7:12; Acts 12:10; πύλαι ᾅδου, the gates of hades, the nether world and its powers, the powers of destruction, dissolution, M. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pyle is a Greek word found in the New Testament.