What are the names of Jerusalem's gates?

Introduction

Jerusalem’s gates—both ancient and modern—have stood throughout centuries of history and remain central to biblical narratives. These portals served not only as points of entry and defense but also as gathering places for judicial affairs, commerce, and worship. In the Old Testament, the book of Nehemiah provides crucial details about the wall and gates of Jerusalem during the rebuilding period after the Babylonian exile. In more recent centuries, the city’s walls and gates have undergone various reconstructions, yet they continue to mirror insights that align with Scripture and historical records.

Below follows a comprehensive examination of notable gates mentioned in the Bible—especially from the book of Nehemiah—as well as a discussion of post-biblical (yet historically significant) gates visible in present-day Jerusalem.

I. Biblical Background and Historical Significance

Jerusalem, known in antiquity as the City of David, expanded during the reign of King Solomon and underwent multiple reconstructions over centuries. By Nehemiah’s time (mid-5th century BC), the city lay in ruins after foreign invasions. Nehemiah 3 recounts the concerted effort of the Jewish people to rebuild the walls and gates under Nehemiah’s supervision:

• “Then Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests arose and built the Sheep Gate...” (Nehemiah 3:1)

The gates mentioned in this chapter are essential for understanding city life, trade, defense, and worship. Archaeological excavations in the vicinity of the ancient City of David and the Old City of Jerusalem have uncovered remnants of wall segments attributed to the time of Nehemiah and earlier periods, supporting both the biblical record and the continuous habitation of Jerusalem.

II. Gates in the Book of Nehemiah

Beginning in Nehemiah 3, there are several gates named, each with unique historical and spiritual significance:

1. Sheep Gate

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:1, 3:32

• Description: The very first gate mentioned in the rebuilding project. It was near the Temple area, where sacrificial animals (sheep, in particular) would be brought in for offerings.

2. Fish Gate

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:3

• Description: Named likely because of nearby fish markets or the route fish traders used, bringing goods from the Mediterranean coast to supply Jerusalem’s inhabitants.

3. Old Gate (sometimes called the “Jeshanah Gate” in some Bible translations)

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:6

• Description: One of the older entrances to the city, possibly retaining an ancestral name due to its historical roots.

4. Valley Gate

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:13

• Description: Overlooking the Hinnom or Tyropoeon Valley, this gate facilitated movement toward outlying areas. Archaeological work in the southwestern portions of the Old City has identified sections of wall thought to correspond to the area around the Valley Gate.

5. Dung Gate

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:14

• Description: Aptly named for its function, as refuse was carted out through this gate to the nearby Hinnom Valley. Even in modern times, the area near this gate in Jerusalem’s Old City is associated with disposal and lower city quarters.

6. Fountain Gate

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:15

• Description: Adjacent to the Pool of Siloam and the lower city, thus near a reliable water source. This made it vital for the city’s water supply and everyday life.

7. Water Gate

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:26

• Description: Not to be confused with the Fountain Gate, the Water Gate led to another important water access point. In Nehemiah 8:1–6, it appears as the location where Ezra read the Law to the people.

8. Horse Gate

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:28

• Description: Near the royal palace area in earlier times, soldiers and royal horses could exit this gate. The prophet Jeremiah also mentions the Horse Gate in a context of judgment (Jeremiah 31:40), underscoring its recognized importance.

9. East Gate (sometimes called the “Golden Gate” in later periods)

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:29 (implicitly connected to the Temple entry from the east)

• Description: Traditionally associated with significant messianic expectations. It faces the Mount of Olives and is often called the “Golden Gate” in post-biblical references.

10. Inspection Gate (or “Miphkad Gate”)

• Reference: Nehemiah 3:31

• Description: Comes from the Hebrew idea of “assignment” or “appointment,” implying a place where people or troops were counted or inspected.

III. Post-Biblical and Present-Day Gates in Jerusalem

Over the centuries, Jerusalem’s walls have been rebuilt or restored multiple times—most notably under the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the early 16th century AD. The gates in the modern Old City differ somewhat from those listed in Nehemiah, but many carry on the city’s historical memory:

1. Jaffa Gate – On the western side, leading toward the road to Jaffa (modern-day Tel Aviv).

2. Damascus Gate – On the north side, facing the road to Nablus and Damascus.

3. Herod’s Gate – Also on the northern wall, named by pilgrims in later history (though not directly tied to Herod himself).

4. Lion’s Gate – On the eastern side, also called St. Stephen’s Gate.

5. Dung Gate – Retaining its biblical reference, located near the southwest corner leading to the Western Wall area.

6. Zion Gate – On the south, connecting to Mount Zion.

7. Golden Gate – The post-biblical name often understood to refer to the ancient East Gate, sealed up for centuries. Tradition holds messianic associations with this gate.

8. New Gate – A more recent addition (19th century), constructed to facilitate passage to Christian institutions north of the Old City.

IV. Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

• Nehemiah’s Wall: Excavations by various archaeologists, including Eilat Mazar, have uncovered remains of wall segments and fortifications that align with the time of Nehemiah and earlier biblical periods.

• Ancient Seals and Inscriptions: Clay seals (bullae) and epigraphic remains found in Jerusalem’s City of David area occasionally mention officials and practices associated with the First Temple and post-exilic periods, reinforcing the historicity of Jerusalem’s administrative system.

• Pilgrim Accounts: Throughout the Roman, Byzantine, and later medieval eras, pilgrims recorded the names and conditions of Jerusalem’s gates, providing continuity between the biblical record and subsequent descriptions of the city.

V. Spiritual and Cultural Dimensions

Jerusalem’s gates point to more than historical landmarks; they also symbolize facets of faith, covenant, and community life. In biblical literature, gates were where elders sat for judicial decisions (Ruth 4:1–11), where prophets proclaimed oracles (Jeremiah 17:19–27), and where significant civic events occurred (Nehemiah 8:1–6).

New Testament references to Jerusalem retain the sense of holiness, culminating in Christ’s final week of ministry around these city environs (Matthew 21:1–11). The gates reflect the reliability of the Scriptures, the depth of Jewish and Christian heritage, and the city’s pivotal role in God’s plan.

Conclusion

The gates of Jerusalem—both in the biblical era and as seen today—offer an essential window into the city’s storied past. From Nehemiah’s Sheep Gate and Dung Gate to the modern Jaffa Gate and Damascus Gate, they showcase continuity, resilience, and the unfolding narrative of a place revered across centuries.

Scripture reveals the significance of these portals in worship, trade, and communal life, underscoring the consistency of biblical testimony with archaeological findings and historical accounts. As the walls rose and fell across time, the biblical record stands verified by the evidence found among Jerusalem’s ancient stones, echoing the truth of the word of God through the city’s enduring portals.