Original Word: סוּר
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: Cuwr
Pronunciation: soor
Phonetic Spelling: (soor)
KJV: Sur
NASB: Sur
Word Origin: [the same as H5494 (סוּר - To turn aside)]

1. Sur, a gate of the temple

Sur

The same as cuwr; Sur, a gate of the temple -- Sur.

see HEBREW cuwr

Word Origin
from sur
Definition
"a turning aside," a gate of the temple
NASB Translation
Sur (1).

II. סוּר proper name of a temple-gate; — ׳שַׁעַר ס 2 Kings 11:6 (> "" 2 Chronicles 23:5 שַׁעַר הַיְסוֺד, see יְסוֺד), but strike out ver. as gloss We^{Bleek, Einl. 4, 258} Kmp^Kau Benz.

Textual Location

2 Kings 11:6: “…one third shall be at the Sur Gate, and one third at the gate behind the guards. Then you are to take turns watching the palace.” This is the sole biblical occurrence of Strong’s Hebrew 5495, rendered “Sur” or “Sur Gate.”

Historical Setting

After Queen Athaliah seized the throne of Judah, Jehoiada the high priest preserved the lone Davidic heir, Joash, in the temple. In the seventh year he orchestrated a coup that stationed armed Levites and royal guards at three points—the palace, the Sur Gate, and the gate behind the guard—to protect the boy‐king during his public installation. Their vigilance enabled the overthrow of Athaliah (2 Kings 11:15–16) and the restoration of the Davidic line, safeguarding the messianic promise (2 Samuel 7:12–16).

Geographical and Architectural Considerations

The Sur Gate was likely on the western or southwestern edge of the royal‐temple complex, an exit or “turning” point between palace and sanctuary. The root meaning “to turn aside” suggests a passage for diverting traffic away from the inner courts. The parallel narrative (2 Chronicles 23:5) calls the same entrance the “Foundation Gate,” either an alternate name or a nearby section within the fortification.

Levitical Gatekeepers

Gatekeeping belonged to Levites (1 Chronicles 9:17–27). They protected sacred space, controlled access, and upheld ritual purity. Jehoiada’s placement of troops at the Sur Gate wove royal security into priestly duty, reinforcing that civil authority must submit to covenant worship—a pattern ultimately perfected in the Priest-King, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:1–17).

Theological and Symbolic Significance

• Separation from Idolatry—A “gate of turning” embodies repentance and decisive departure from apostasy (2 Kings 11:17–18).
• Watchfulness—Guard duty at the gate prefigures the believer’s call to spiritual vigilance (Nehemiah 7:3; Mark 13:33).
• Preservation of Promise—Protecting Joash at the Sur Gate maintained the lineage leading to Christ, displaying God’s unstoppable sovereignty (Galatians 4:4).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Leaders must plan strategically under Scripture, as Jehoiada did, combining prudence with faith.
• Pastors and elders function as spiritual gatekeepers, discerning influences that enter the congregation (Acts 20:28–31).
• Every Christian “stands guard” by prayer, doctrinal fidelity, and personal holiness, ensuring that Christ alone reigns in the community (Colossians 4:2–6; 2 Timothy 1:14).

Summary

Though mentioned only once, Strong’s 5495 (Sur) marks a critical location where covenant guardianship, priestly service, and royal preservation converged. The Sur Gate narrative showcases God’s faithfulness to His promises, the necessity of vigilant holiness, and the foreshadowing of the perfect Guardian-King who secures His people eternally.

ס֔וּר סור Sur sūrInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts