The origin and historical significance of Jerusalem's seven gates

¶ … Gates

Jerusalem is a city cloaked in intrigue and the city is of great importance to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike. There are many aspects of the city that have been studied, including the ancient infrastructure of the city. The purpose of this discussion is to provide information concerning the origin and meaning of the seven gates of Jerusalem. The research will demonstrate that the History of the Seven Gates of Jerusalem is meaningful to the ancient city.

History of the seven gates

There were originally 11 gates of Jerusalem at the current time only seven of these gates are in use. The gates were built. The names of the seven gates that are still in use are the Damascus Gate, the dung Gate, Zion Gate, Lion's gate, Jaffa Gate, Gate of Flowers and the New Gate. The remaining for gates that are closed includes the Golden gate, the single gate, the double gate and the Huldah gate. For the purposes of the discussion we will focus on the seven gates that are still open.

To better understand the location of the gates it is essential to know that Jerusalem is divided into four main quarters the Armenian quarter, the Jewish quarter, the Muslim quarter and the Christian quarter. The following map depicts the quarters and gates.

It is also important to recognize the tumultuous history of Jerusalem. Strubbe (1998) explains

Though Jerusalem means "City of Peace" in Hebrew, its history has been anything but tranquil. It was besieged and occupied over three dozen times, and most conquerors altered the fortifications. In the time of Kings David and Solomon, the walls enclosed only the Temple Mount and a small district to the south, subsequently destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. And then by the Romans in 70 B.C. The Crusaders and Turkish Ottomans further altered it, with the present walls and gates dating from 1537-1541 (Strubbe, 1998)."

With these things understood let us now discuss each gate separately. This aspect of the discussion will focus on when the various gates were built and the historic significance of the gates.

Damascus Gate (Shechem Gate)

This gate is located on the Northern Wall. The current gate was built in 1853.

The Damascus gate is so named because it leads to the ancient city of Damascus (current day Syria). It was on the road to Damascus that Saul was blinded by the light of God and was renamed Paul. Currently this is the busiest of the seven gates. It was originally built for those of high status and the side entrances of this gate were designed for those of lower social status. This is a grand gate and the largest of all eleven gates (the Old City Gates).

During the Byzantine period this was known as Saint Stephens's gate (Jerusalem's Gate). It was believed during this time that Saint Stephen was killed close to the sight of this gate. In addition to the Damascus gate, Lion's gate is also referred to as Saint Stephens Gate because some believe that St. Stephen was martyred near that gate which is located on the East wall. This will be explored in further detail later on in the discussion.

Dung Gate

The original Dung Gate was believed to have been an estimated 500 yards away from the valley gate (Walton et al., 2000). In addition, the Dung Gate led into the Valley of Hinnom. It also led to the spring of En Rogel. The current Dung Gate came into existence under the Ottoman Empire.

The current dung gate is located on the south wall, is the gate nearest to the temple mount. It is located at the southern tip of Jerusalem.

It is so named because it has been used to carry refuse (waste/sewage) away from the city.

Zion Gate

The Zion gate, once referred to as the Mount Zion Gate is located on the South Wall. According to Boas (2001) the southern city wall was realigned in the eleventh century. Since this time the southern most section of Mount Zion stopper at the old Mount Zion Gate. The old Mount Zion Gate is located 100 meters east of the current Zion gate. The current Zion gate was created during the sixteenth century on top of the ruins of a medieval tower.

The author also explains that excavations that took place in 1974 found a partially refurbished medieval Zion Gate tower. The excavation also found an inscription at the sight which is believed to be evidence that the gate was erected during the Ayyubid period around 1212 (Boas, 2001). It is believed that it was erected by, al-Malik al-Mu'azzam Sharf al-D" n 'Isa, the Ayyubid ruler of Damascus (Boas, 2001). Although the gate that is currently present is most likely Ayyubid, it can also be assumed that another gate was located here during the end of Cardo, this would have been prior to the erecting of the Zion gate tower by al-Mu'azzam 'Isa (Boas, 2001). The author also asserts that some aspects of the old gate may have been integrated into the current gate (Boas, 2001).

The site of the current Zion gate has historical significance because it was through this gate that the old city was capture in 1967 by the Israel defense forces (the Old City Gates). It also serves as the entrance to the Jewish and Armenian quarters of Jerusalem.

This gate is located to the South near mount Zion.

According to one author

Mount Zion is regarded as one of the holiest areas in Jerusalem, associated with Christ's last days on earth. He held his Last Supper here. After the Crucifixion it was on Mount Zion that He appeared to his disciples and his Mother. Mary lived and died here in a house that became known as the Holy Cenacle (Carlson, 1951)."

As you can see this particular gate is historic and vitally important as it pertains to religious beliefs of Christians and Jews. The gate leads the way to a very historic and important site.

Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate/Gate of the Pillar)

The Lion's gate on the East wall is so named for the four lions that surround the gate. There are two lions on each side of the gate. This gate leads to the Via Delarosa (Jerusalem's Gate). The Via Delarosa is the road that leads to the place where it is believed that Jesus Christ was crucified. This gate also has historical significance to Israel because it was through this gate that paratroopers entered the city during the sixth day war and placed the Israeli flag above the temple mount (Jerusalem's Gate).

Lion's Gate is also known as St. Stephens Gate, as it was called St. Stephens gate during the time of the Crusaders. It was named this because it is located close to the place where some believe that St. Stephen was martyred. As with many places in Jerusalem, the true location of historic events is sometimes unknown because there have been so many changes to the city over time. Lion's gate is just one instance of this in Jerusalem.

According to Boas (2001), at the current time it is also sometimes referred to as the Gate of our Lady Mary because it leads to the place of Mary's tomb. Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ. She is revered in the Christian faith and is of particular importance to those that practice Catholicism.

Herod's Gate (Gate of Flowers)

This gate is also located on the Northern wall and serves as an entrance into the Muslim quarter. This particular gate serves as an entrance to the main market place. The gate was named Herod's gate during the Middle Ages when the palace of Herod Antipas was located near the gate (Jerusalem's Gates). According to a book entitled, the Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700,

The original entrance for the gate can be found in the east face of the tower. In 1099 it is believed that the Crusaders established a bridgehead on the walls of this gate.

In present times the gate serves as the entry to the market area. It is often referred to as the gate of flowers because merchants sell flowers near the entrance of the gate (Jerusalem's Gates). Today Herod's gate serves as a critically important gate for merchants and commerce.

New Gate

This gate is referred to as the new gate because it was the last gate built. It was constructed in 1898-1899. This gate leads to the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem.

This particular gate was sealed off during the 1948 war. It was opened again in 1967 when Israel was established as a Jewish State.

The reopening of the New Gate was extremely important to the survival of the Christian quarter. This was the case because the Christian quarter was cut off from the market center when it was sealed during the 1948 war. Today it serves as a vital gate in the old city, for who live there.

Conclusion

The purpose of this discussion was to provide information concerning the origin and meaning of the seven gates of Jerusalem. The research demonstrated that the History of the Seven Gates of Jerusalem is meaningful to the ancient city. The research contained in this discussion demonstrates the manner in which each gate has a historical significance and has served a purpose in the ancient city. The research confirms that the gates are important as it pertains to providing various entry points into the four quarters of the city.

The gates also mark historical landmarks including Mount Zion and the Tower of David. These landmarks and locations where important religious events took place are vitally important to Christians Jews and Muslims. People of these different faiths some from all over the world travel to the Old City each year to see these locations and the gates serve as vital guides to these historic places.

The gates are also important because they provide historical insight into the various empires and rulers that have captured the city or been conquered in the city. Some of the gates have been moved from their historical locations as different rulers came into power. Other gates, such as Dung Gate, served specific purposes such as carrying waste away from the city.

In any case the research has established the significance of the gates that are contained in the ancient city. The gates that are closed or sealed also hold significant meaning, particularly as it pertains to Judaism and Christianity. It is apparent that Jewish landmarks including the gates of the city will continue to be at the center of research well into the future.