Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Dung Gate

◄ Jerusalem: Dung Gate ►

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The Dung Gate is one of the notable gates of ancient Jerusalem, mentioned in the Bible as part of the city's fortifications. It holds historical and spiritual significance, particularly in the context of the rebuilding efforts led by Nehemiah. The gate is referenced in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Nehemiah, which provides insight into its purpose and the role it played in the life of the city.

Biblical References:

The Dung Gate is mentioned in Nehemiah 2:13 and Nehemiah 3:14. In Nehemiah 2:13 , it is written: "So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire." This passage highlights Nehemiah's inspection of the city's walls and gates, emphasizing the need for restoration after the Babylonian exile.

In Nehemiah 3:14 , the text states: "The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem. He rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars." This verse underscores the collaborative effort in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, with various leaders and families taking responsibility for different sections, including the Dung Gate.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Dung Gate, as its name suggests, was traditionally associated with the disposal of waste and refuse from the city. It was located in the southern part of Jerusalem, near the Valley of Hinnom, which was historically used as a place for burning waste. The gate's function was practical, serving as an exit point for refuse to be taken out of the city, thus maintaining cleanliness and sanitation within the walls.

In the context of Nehemiah's time, the rebuilding of the Dung Gate was part of a larger project to restore Jerusalem's defenses and infrastructure. The reconstruction of the city's walls and gates was crucial for the security and re-establishment of the Jewish community after their return from exile. The effort to rebuild the Dung Gate, along with other gates, symbolizes the renewal of the covenant community and their commitment to restoring the city as a center of worship and governance.

Spiritual Significance:

From a spiritual perspective, the Dung Gate can be seen as a metaphor for purification and the removal of sin. Just as the gate facilitated the removal of physical waste from the city, it can symbolize the need for spiritual cleansing and the discarding of moral impurities. The rebuilding of the gate under Nehemiah's leadership reflects the broader theme of repentance and renewal that characterizes the post-exilic period in Jewish history.

The Dung Gate's mention in the Bible serves as a reminder of the practical and spiritual aspects of maintaining a holy community. It highlights the importance of both physical and spiritual restoration in the life of God's people, as they seek to live in accordance with His commandments and purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 2:13
And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
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Nehemiah 3:13
The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall to the dung gate.
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Nehemiah 12:31
Then I brought up the princes of Judah on the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand on the wall toward the dung gate:
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Library

Overcoming Great Difficulties
... people drew lots that one out of every ten should live in Jerusalem, the sacred ... The
first marched to the right upon the wall toward the Dung Gate; and behind ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/overcoming great difficulties.htm

Nehemiah's Answer to a Call for Help
... I went out by night through the Valley Gate, toward the Dragon's Well and to the
Dung Gate; and I examined carefully the walls of Jerusalem which were broken ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/nehemiahs answer to a call.htm

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
... subtily; for they seem to have perished, if so be they perished near Jerusalem,
in the ... And, 2. A thousand cubits thence, "The Esquiline, or Dung-gate," verse 14 ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 26 the girdle of.htm

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
... himself set as a governor at that gate, yet was ... dunghills of cattle, and to eat the
dung which they ... consumed incredible numbers of Jews in Jerusalem during its ...
/.../chapter 13 the great slaughters.htm

The Last Agony
... Jerusalem fell not by assault, but by famine ... high-born women picked garbage from
dung-heaps, and ... Babylonians planted themselves at 'the middle gate,' probably a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the last agony.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

Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven.
... a great and holy city, named the heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21 ... the world
(ver.13), and at each gate an angel ... in respect of it) to be but dung (Philippians ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the blessed state.htm

Jesus About his Father's Business
... offer, on the day when he rode into Jerusalem upon a ... Thou shalt find the door of
heaven's gate not creaking on ... and to pluck that jewel from a dung-hill which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/jesus about his fathers business.htm

Acts viii. 26, 27
... if one were to bury them in dung, that he ... Jewish non-residents, to go up to Jerusalem
to worship. ... an uncircumcised heathen--a "proselyte of the gate," since he ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix acts viii 26.htm

The Sinner's Friend
... with whole showers of tears when he said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem . ... and harlots come,
he always has the gate of mercy ... and I will dig about it, and dung it, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the sinners friend.htm