The gate of their city refers to the place where people gathered to discuss events and to hold court. See 19.1. Many translations say in this context “went to the meeting place at [near] the gate.” If a term for city is used in translation, it should not make readers think of a huge place like cities in the modern world. The word “town” (Anchor Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible) is much more appropriate in English.

The men of their city: the narrator probably means that certain key men of the city would be involved. Anchor Bible calls them “their town council.” However, the Hebrew text does not require this sense, and translators may take account of custom in their own situation; some say, for example, “spoke to all their countrymen” or “… to the other men of the town.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .