The Sheep Gate holds significant historical and theological importance in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the city of Jerusalem. It is mentioned specifically in the Book of Nehemiah and is associated with the restoration efforts led by Nehemiah upon his return from exile.

Biblical References:

1. Nehemiah 3:1 : "Then Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests set to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel." This verse highlights the Sheep Gate as the starting point of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. The involvement of the high priest Eliashib and his fellow priests underscores the gate's spiritual significance, as they consecrated it, indicating its dedication to God.

2. Nehemiah 12:39 : "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 describes the procession during the dedication of the wall, marking the Sheep Gate as a key landmark in the city's defenses and religious life.

Historical and Theological Significance:

· Location and Purpose: The Sheep Gate was located in the northeastern part of Jerusalem's wall, near the Temple Mount. It was named for its primary function, which was to facilitate the movement of sheep into the city, particularly those destined for sacrifice in the Temple. This practical purpose underscores the gate's connection to the sacrificial system central to Jewish worship.

· Symbolism of Sacrifice: The Sheep Gate's association with sacrificial animals points to its deeper theological symbolism. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, sheep were often used as offerings to atone for sin, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Thus, the Sheep Gate can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work.

· Restoration and Renewal: The rebuilding of the Sheep Gate by the priests, as recorded in Nehemiah, symbolizes spiritual renewal and the restoration of proper worship. It reflects the broader theme of Nehemiah's mission to restore Jerusalem not only physically but also spiritually, reestablishing the city as a center of worship and covenant faithfulness.

· Prophetic Implications: The Sheep Gate's mention in the context of Nehemiah's restoration efforts can also be viewed through a prophetic lens. The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and gates is seen by some as a precursor to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom, where true and perfect worship would be restored.

In summary, the Sheep Gate serves as a significant biblical symbol, representing sacrifice, spiritual renewal, and the anticipation of the Messiah's ultimate sacrifice. Its role in the narrative of Nehemiah highlights the importance of worship and the centrality of the Temple in the life of God's people.

On the Words of the Gospel, John v. 2, "Now There is in Jerusalem ...
... testament. Sermon LXXIV. On the words of the Gospel, John v. 2, "Now there
is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool," etc. [CXXIV. Ben.] ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxiv on the words.htm

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
... The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose,
was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 26 the girdle of.htm

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
... Passover.] 2 Now there is [the present tense is used, for while the city was destroyed,
the pool evidently still existed.] in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxvii jesus heals on the.htm

Sabbath Cure at Bethesda.
... to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which
is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these ...
/.../xii sabbath cure at bethesda.htm

The Greatest Trial on Record
... He was led into Jerusalem by the sheep-gate, the gate through which the lambs
of the Passover and the sheep for sacrifice were always driven. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the greatest trial on record.htm

Overcoming Great Difficulties
... to the broad wall and above the Gate of Ephraim and past the Old Gate, the Fish
Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred to the Sheep Gate. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/overcoming great difficulties.htm

The Third Miracle in John's Gospel
... our present purpose which Feast it was on which Jesus went up to Jerusalem, nor
whether the pool was by the sheep-market or by the sheep-gate, nor whereabouts ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the third miracle in johns.htm

At the Unknown' Feast in Jerusalem, and by the Pool of Bethesda.
... All we know is, that it was a pool enclosed within five porches, by the sheep-market,
presumably close to the Sheep-Gate.' [2218] This, as seems most likely ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii at the unknown.htm

The Gospel According to St. John
... We may notice viii.20; ix.7; x.23; xviii.1, 15; xix.17, 41; and particularly the
pool near the sheep-gate, having five porches (v.2), and the place which is ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter vi the gospel according.htm

A Sabbath Healing in Jerusalem.
... to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which
is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/a sabbath healing in jerusalem.htm

Sheep-gate (2 Occurrences)
Sheep-gate. Sheepgate, Sheep-gate. Sheep-'gate . Easton's Bible Dictionary
One of the gates of Jerusalem mentioned by Nehemiah (3:1, 32; 12:39). ...
/s/sheep-gate.htm - 7k

Sheep-'gate (1 Occurrence)
Sheep-'gate. Sheep-gate, Sheep-'gate. Sheepherders . Multi-Version
Concordance Sheep-'gate (1 Occurrence). John 5:2 and there is ...
/s/sheep-'gate.htm - 6k

Bethesda (1 Occurrence)
... kolumbethra, "a swimming bath") with five porches, close to the sheep-gate or Market
(Nehemiah 3:1; John 5:2). Eusebius the historian (AD 330) calls it "the ...
/b/bethesda.htm - 11k

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

Market (24 Occurrences)
... SHEEP MARKET. (John 5:2, the Revised Version (British and American) "sheepgate"):
The Greek (he probatike) means simply something that pertains to sheep. ...
/m/market.htm - 19k

Sheep (413 Occurrences)
... Alfred Ely Day. SHEEPGATE. (sha ... corner. See JERUSALEM. For the "sheepgate"
of John 5:2, see BETHESDA; SHEEP MARKET. SHEEP MARKET. ...
/s/sheep.htm - 52k

Sheep-market (1 Occurrence)
Sheep-market. Sheepmarket, Sheep-market. Sheepmaster . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Occurs only in John 5:2 (marg., also RV, "sheep-gate"). ...
/s/sheep-market.htm - 7k

Gate (248 Occurrences)
... Masterman. SHEEPGATE. (sha`ar ... northeast corner. See JERUSALEM. For the "sheep
gate" of John 5:2, see BETHESDA; SHEEP MARKET. VALLEY GATE. (sha ...
/g/gate.htm - 63k

Hammeah (2 Occurrences)
... It was the most important point on the walls of Jerusalem in going West from the
SheepGate, and is mentioned along with the T. of HANANEL (which see ...
/h/hammeah.htm - 8k

Rebuilt (47 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests,
and they built the sheepgate; they sanctified it, and set up its doors; even ...
/r/rebuilt.htm - 20k

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