doorpost

A supporting beam for a city gate or for the doorway of a sanctuary or private house. The Israelites sprinkled the blood of the Passover sacrifice on their doorposts to avoid the killing of their firstborn (Exod 12:7; Exod 22-23:7). Samson pulled out the gate and gateposts of Gaza (Judg 16:3). The Israelites were enjoined to write divine exhortations upon their doorposts, in addition to reciting and teaching them, and binding them to the hand and forehead (Deut 6:9; Deut 11:20).