The 10 Gates of Jerusalem - Part 2 (Nehemiah 3)
10 Gates of Jerusalem - Nehemiah 3:15-31
In the last post, we discussed the first 5 gates of Jerusalem from Nehemiah 3. In this post, we’ll look at the remaining 5. As previously mentioned, the gates are in counter-clockwise order.
FOUNTAIN GATE:
(vs. 15) Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David.
The next gate mentioned is the Fountain Gate. It was named as such because it was where the Siloam Tunnel emerged from the ground with water from the Gihon Spring.
What is the significance of this gate?
When we think of a fountain, we think of a burst of water, which from a spiritual perspective can be seen as the filling of the Holy Spirit. After we are saved, the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in our hearts. It guides us and helps us, and remains with us for all time. This can be seen in Isaiah and John below.
Isaiah 44:3 - For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And flood on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;
John 7:37-39 - On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But his He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
WATER GATE:
(vs. 26) Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower.
The Water Gate was named this because it had the city’s main source of water - the Gihon Spring. It was also a large area that was used for the reading of the law (Nehemiah 8:1,3,16). When examining the verse a bit more, we can see that this gate didn’t actually require repairs. The repairs were done right up to the gate and then on the tower.
What is the significance of this gate?
The Water Gate symbolizes the Word of God. Christ is the Word and we need to learn from it. The Word of God is very important for our Christian life. It is the source by which the Spirit speaks to us. This is similar to how the water from this gate leads to the water flowing at the Fountain Gate. Christ has given us Himself and the living Word of God to succeed in our Christian walk. See the verses below from John and Revelation.
John 4:10 - Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink.’ you would have asked HIm, and He would have given living water.”
John 4:13,14 - Jesus answered and said to her, “whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Revelation 21:6 - And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
HORSE GATE:
(vs. 28) Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.
The Horse Gate was the entrance to the palace grounds. It was near the king’s stables. Solomon kept stables that housed 12,000 horses. Surprisingly, horses were not common in Israel. When horses left this gate, it was a sign of impending war.
What is the significance of this gate?
The Horse Gate reminds us that as believers, we are constantly in spiritual warfare. As Christians, we must be ready when the devil tries to tempt and lead us astray. We must be strong in the Lord to withstand. In Ephesians, we see that the armor of God will help us stand against our enemy. We are advised to be vigilant to resist the devil, seen in 1 Peter.
Ephesians 6:10-13 - Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
1 Peter 5:8,9 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
EAST GATE:
(vs. 29) After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.
The East Gate is directly east of the Temple area in Jerusalem and was located below the present-day Golden Gate. It also opens toward the Mount of Olives.
What is the significance of this gate?
The East Gate symbolizes the Coming of Christ. Since it opens towards the Mount of Olives, it is believed that this gate will give a clear view to Christ when He comes again (see Zechariah below). It also reminds us to look forward to the coming of Christ. The hope of our salvation is that Christ will return for the Church and have victory over Satan and the world. We should be living our lives in anticipation of that day. This can be seen in Titus and 2 Peter.
Zechariah 14:4 - And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
Titus 2:11-13 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ,
2 Peter 3:11,12 - Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
MIPHKAD GATE:
(vs. 31) After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner.
The final gate is the Miphkad gate or the gate of inspection. According to tradition, this was the gate that David would go out of to meet and inspect his troops.
What is the significance of this gate?
The Miphkad or Inspection Gate represents our judgment before God. We are to be held accountable for every action, whether good or bad. That’s a scary idea that our every thought and action will be examined by God and judged. So, this gate reminds us that we should live a life pleasing to God.
Matthew 7:2 - For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Romans 14:10-12 - But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:9,10 - There we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
