Topical Bible: Ephraim: A Gate of Jerusalem

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Topical Encyclopedia

Ephraim, in the context of Jerusalem, refers to one of the gates of the ancient city. The gates of Jerusalem held significant importance in biblical times, serving not only as points of entry and exit but also as places of gathering, judgment, and commerce. The Gate of Ephraim is mentioned in the context of the city's fortifications and its historical and prophetic significance.

Biblical References:

The Gate of Ephraim is specifically mentioned in the book of Nehemiah, which details the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah 12:39 states: "over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate; and they stopped at the Gate of the Guard." This passage highlights the Gate of Ephraim as part of the procession route during the dedication of the wall, indicating its importance in the city's structure.

Historical and Geographical Context:

The Gate of Ephraim likely derived its name from the tribe of Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This tribe was descended from Joseph's son Ephraim, who was blessed by Jacob (Genesis 48:14-20). The gate's name suggests a connection to the northern kingdom of Israel, where the tribe of Ephraim held significant influence.

Geographically, the exact location of the Gate of Ephraim is not definitively known today, as the ancient walls of Jerusalem have undergone numerous reconstructions and expansions over the centuries. However, it is generally believed to have been situated on the northern side of the city, aligning with the direction toward the territory traditionally associated with the tribe of Ephraim.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In biblical times, city gates were more than mere entry points; they were centers of social and civic life. The Gate of Ephraim, like other gates, would have been a place where elders gathered to make legal decisions, where prophets might proclaim messages, and where merchants conducted trade. The gates were also strategic military points, crucial for the defense of the city.

Theologically, the mention of the Gate of Ephraim in the context of Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts underscores the theme of restoration and renewal. After the Babylonian exile, the returnees' efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls symbolized the re-establishment of the Jewish community and their covenant relationship with God. The dedication of the wall, including the procession over the Gate of Ephraim, reflects a moment of communal joy and divine blessing.

Prophetic Implications:

While the Gate of Ephraim is not directly associated with specific prophecies, its inclusion in the narrative of Jerusalem's restoration can be seen as part of the broader prophetic vision of the city's future glory. Jerusalem holds a central place in biblical prophecy, often depicted as the focal point of God's redemptive plan for His people and the world.

In summary, the Gate of Ephraim serves as a historical and symbolic element within the biblical narrative, representing both the physical and spiritual fortification of Jerusalem. Its mention in the scriptures invites reflection on themes of identity, restoration, and divine providence.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 14:13
And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
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2 Chronicles 25:23
And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Bethshemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
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Nehemiah 8:16
So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one on the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
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Nehemiah 12:39
And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even to the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
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Library

Overcoming Great Difficulties
... people, to the broad wall and above the Gate of Ephraim and past ... Then they stood
in the Gate of the Guard ... too, so that the cries of joy at Jerusalem were heard ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/overcoming great difficulties.htm

Journey to Jericho. --The Healing of Blind Bartimeus. (Matt. ,
... CHRIST did not go directly from Ephraim to Jerusalem, but ... out his plan of a solemn
Messianic entry into Jerusalem. ... there sat, not far from the gate of the town ...
/.../section 236 journey to jericho the.htm

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
... for they seem to have perished, if so be they perished near Jerusalem, in the ... on
the left hand, towards the south west, and to the gate of Ephraim, and the ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 26 the girdle of.htm

From the Talmud and Hebraica
... Chapter 21 Jerusalem. Chapter 22 The parts of the City. Sion. ... Chapter 30 The Gate
of Nicanor, or the East Gate of the Court of Israel. ... Chapter 53 Ephraim. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/

The Assyrian Captivity
... good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be ... was pronounced the dread sentence:
"Ephraim is joined ... important reforms in the temple service at Jerusalem. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

The Strait Gate;
... A gate, you know, is of a double use. ... to let in or to keep out; and to do both these
at the season; as he said, "Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... one sets his foot over the threshold of hell gate. ... once, and twice, and thrice, to
these Jerusalem sinners ... my wrath, I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... On this mountain was a town with a name which sounded like Ephraim. ... by Herod's soldiers
in a sunken road outside the Bethlehem Gate of Jerusalem, from which ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... Even idolatrous Ephraim, and backsliding Judah; ver.13. ... God took him a glorious church
out of bloody Jerusalem, yea, out of the chief of the sinners there, and ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... The sum is, God will, at the day of his rebuilding the New Jerusalem, so visibly ...
that hath been laid against them], they have passed through the gate, and are ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm