Bible Dictionary
Doors
Doors were hinged, barred, or locked entrances to houses and sacred buildings. Scripture also uses the door figuratively for access, opportunity, heaven, and, in Jesus’ teaching, Christ Himself as the entrance to salvation.
Definition
Doors are movable entrances secured by hinges, locks, or bars. In ancient Oriental houses, curtains could sometimes serve in place of doors, and curtains formed the entrances of the tabernacle.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses door imagery for hope, opportunity, heavenly access, and the spread of the gospel. Jesus declares Himself to be the door, and John describes a door opened in heaven.
Historical Background
Doors moved on wooden pivots fitted into sockets above and below. They could be secured with locks or bars; interior Oriental entrances frequently used curtains instead.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Moved on pivots of wood fastened in sockets above and below (Prov. 26:14). They were fastened by a lock (Judg. 3:23, 25; Cant. 5:5) or by a bar (Judg. 16:3; Job 38:10). In the interior of Oriental houses, curtains were frequently used instead of doors. The entrances of the tabernacle had curtains (Ex. 26:31-33, 36). The “valley of Achor” is called a “door of hope,” because immediately after the execution of Achan the Lord said to Joshua, “Fear not,” and from that time Joshua went forward in a career of uninterrupted conquest. Paul speaks of a “door opened” for the spread of the gospel (1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3). Our Lord says of himself, “I am the door” (John 10:9). John (Rev. 4:1) speaks of a “door opened in heaven.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary
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