'Locking' in the Bible

All of these cities were fortified by high walls, gates, and locking bars; in addition there were a great many open villages.

Ben-Geber was in charge of Ramoth Gilead; he controlled the tent villages of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead, as well as the region of Argob in Bashan, including sixty large walled cities with bronze bars locking their gates.