Nehemiah and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem’s Gates
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
Nehemiah, distressed by Jerusalem’s state, was authorized by King Artaxerxes to oversee its reconstruction against local opposition. He developed a strategic plan, assigning families to rebuild specific gates crucial for defense and community. The gates held historical significance, reflecting their role in city governance and security throughout Jerusalem’s 5000-year history. Let’s explore these magnificent gates.
I was reading Nehemiah. He was the cupbearer to Artaxerxes who had learned of the pitiful state of Jerusalem. “The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire,” was the report (Nehemiah 1:3b). This distressed Nehemiah sorely, and he wept, tore his clothes and fasted. The King released Nehemiah to oversee the reconstruction, which Nehemiah did.
It was a difficult, complicated, and dangerous task. The People were opposed by nearby tribes and by the schemes and plots of their leaders. Nehemiah made a calculated and careful inspection of the situation first, then developed a plan. He assigned reconstruction to families who lived near certain sections. That way, they’d be motivated to continue the work, and be on hand to protect their homes and families should an attack arise.
Nehemiah 3 lists ten gates starting from the north end of the wall and moving counterclockwise. As I read the chapter and the continual mention of named gates, I was wondering about the number of these gates and their purpose. Here are the named gates of Nehemiah’s time: Sheep Gate, Fish Gate, Valley Gate, Ancient Gate, Dung Gate, Fountain Gate, Water Gate, Horse Gate, East Gate, Inspection Gate.
Gates were important in biblical times, just as they are today for keeping things inside that they wanted in and keeping people and animals outside that they wanted to keep out. It was also a way to inspect people coming to the city. It was where councils were held, where the elders sat to do city business. You may remember Lot sat at the Gate of Sodom and greeted the angels who journeyed to his city. (Genesis 19:1). The gates were a place of importance. Proverbs 31:23 says of the wise and industrious wife, Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
However, the number and names and locations of gates changed throughout Jerusalem’s 5000 year history. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary has this for its entry describing gates to Jerusalem:
“GATES OF JERUSALEM AND THE TEMPLE Jerusalem’s many gates have varied in number and location with the changing size and orientation of its walls throughout its long history. Persons could enter through an important city gate on the west from Jaffa (Tel Aviv) Road, as they do today. On the east, those coming from the Kidron Valley entered principally through the Sheep Gate (modern Stephen or Lion Gate) in NT times and by a recently found gate (spring 1986) south of the modern city walls in OT times. This latter gate may date to the reign of Solomon, being similar to Solomonic gates found at Megiddo, Gezer, and Hazor. Entrance to the temple itself was on its eastern side through the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:10), near the Golden Gate recently found beneath the city eastern wall. On the north, the principal gateway (Damascus Gate) opened onto the Damascus Road. Seven gates now allow entrance to the old city of Jerusalem.”
Jerusalem has been a fortified city for about 5000 years. Overall, the Bible mentions 19 named gates. I listed 10 of them up above. In the New Testament we read of the Sheep Gate in John 5:2, this was the gate the animals were brought in for the sacrifice, which is probably why Nehemiah assigned the High Priest and his priests to rebuild the Sheep gate. Acts 3:10 mentions a beggar who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate.
Of course there are the MOST beautiful gates of all, the ones described in Revelation surrounding the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:11-13, 21, 25:
It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on the gates, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. … And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. … In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed;
These gates will never be closed, but only the people whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life may pass through them (Revelation 1:27).
The chapter describes the strong foundation, the sturdy walls, the stately gates. Yet, as Matthew Henry says,
Could we, in the glass of a strong imagination, contemplate such a city as is here described, even as to the exterior part of it, such a wall, and such gates, how amazing, how glorious, would the prospect be! And yet this is but a faint and dim representation of what heaven is in itself.
