The Fish-Gate is a significant historical and biblical landmark mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the city of Jerusalem. It is one of the gates of the city that played a crucial role in the daily life and commerce of ancient Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

1. Nehemiah 3:3 · "The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars." This verse highlights the reconstruction efforts led by Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The rebuilding of the Fish-Gate was part of the larger project to restore the city's walls and gates, which were essential for protection and trade.

2. Zephaniah 1:10 · "On that day, declares the LORD, a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second Quarter, and a loud crash from the hills." This prophecy by Zephaniah underscores the Fish-Gate as a notable location within the city, indicating its prominence and the impact of divine judgment that would befall Jerusalem.

2. 2 Chronicles 33:14 · "After this, Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, from west of the Gihon Spring in the valley to the entrance of the Fish Gate; he encircled the hill of Ophel with it and made it very high. Then he stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah." This passage describes King Manasseh's efforts to fortify Jerusalem, including the area around the Fish-Gate, highlighting its strategic importance.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Fish-Gate likely derived its name from its association with the fish market or the fish trade, which was a vital part of Jerusalem's economy. It is believed that fish from the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee were brought into the city through this gate, making it a bustling hub of commercial activity.

The gate's location is thought to have been on the northern side of Jerusalem, near the present-day Damascus Gate. Its proximity to the fish market would have made it a central point for merchants and traders, contributing to the city's economic vitality.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the Fish-Gate serves as a symbol of restoration and divine providence. The rebuilding efforts led by Nehemiah, as mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah, reflect the faithfulness of God in restoring His people and their city after a period of judgment and exile. The gate's mention in prophetic literature, such as Zephaniah, also serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the consequences of disobedience.

In summary, the Fish-Gate is more than just a physical structure; it represents the intersection of daily life, commerce, and divine interaction in the history of Jerusalem. Its mention in various biblical texts underscores its importance in the narrative of God's people and His dealings with them throughout history.

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
... Hinnom was situate northwardly. Nehemiah 3:3: The Seventy render it by,
The fish-gate. That was also southward. Of it mention is ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 26 the girdle of.htm

Manasseh's Sin and Repentance
... Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon,
in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/manassehs sin and repentance.htm

By the Sea of Galilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and ...
... [2258] It indicates the importance of this traffic, that one of the gates of Jerusalem
was called the fish-gate.' [2259] Indeed, there is a legend [2260] to ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii by the sea.htm

Overcoming Great Difficulties
... of the Furnaces, and I after them, with half of the people, to the broad wall and
above the Gate of Ephraim and past the Old Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/overcoming great difficulties.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... was the hiding of his power." [1487] Zephaniah, that is the bodyguard and knower
of the secrets of the Lord, [1488] hears "a cry from the fishgate, and an ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

Fish-gate (3 Occurrences)
Fish-gate. Fishes, Fish-gate. Fishhook . Multi-Version Concordance
Fish-gate (3 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles 33:14 And ...
/f/fish-gate.htm - 7k

Rebuilt (47 Occurrences)
... 33:14 Now after this he built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side
of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fishgate; and he ...
/r/rebuilt.htm - 20k

Ophel (6 Occurrences)
... 27:3). King Manasseh "built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side
of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fishgate; and he ...
/o/ophel.htm - 14k

Hananel (4 Occurrences)
... The company of Levites coming from the West passed "by the fishgate, and the tower
of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate" (Nehemiah 12 ...
/h/hananel.htm - 9k

Fish (66 Occurrences)
... There was a regular fish-market apparently in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 33:14; Nehemiah
3:3; 12:39; Zephaniah 1:10), as there was a fish-gate which was probably ...
/f/fish.htm - 38k

Fishes (32 Occurrences)

/f/fishes.htm - 16k

Jeshanah (3 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 12:39 and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the fish
gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even to the sheep ...
/j/jeshanah.htm - 8k

Locks (29 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:3 But the fishgate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the
beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars ...
/l/locks.htm - 18k

Fishhook (1 Occurrence)

/f/fishhook.htm - 7k

Tower (74 Occurrences)
... The company of Levites coming from the West passed "by the fishgate, and the tower
of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate" (Nehemiah 12 ...
/t/tower.htm - 52k

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