There are several gateways in the Bible. Some of them are the Western Gate, the Dung Gate, the Temple gates, and the Cave of Machpelah. They are all places where people entered or left the land of Israel. And each one of them had its own significance.
Cave of Machpelah
The Cave of Machpelah is a burial site in Hebron, Israel. It is one of the two most important Jewish sites in the world, along with the Temple Mount.
According to the Bible, Abraham had an encounter with God at the cave. It was there that he bought a burial plot for Sarah. Aside from establishing the concept of a way to reach Godliness as a society, Abraham also made a new approach to Godliness.
When Abraham was negotiating the purchase of the cave, he insisted on having elders of the Hittites witness the transaction. At this point, the Hittites agreed to sell it to him, but the final price was not as agreed upon. In fact, Abraham paid 400 silver shekels for the cave.
Dung Gate
Dung Gate is a gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is located just south of the Temple Mount and behind Western Wall Plaza. In the past, Dung was the primary trash removal gate, but it is now mostly used for ceremonial purposes.
The gateway is not an insignificant feat of modern architecture. The gate is topped off by a short tunnel, and is one of the few gateways left in the city. Until 1967, the Mughrabi quarter was located between the gates of the Old City and the Temple Mount. A major renovation took place after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, and today’s gate is much larger.
The name Dung Gate comes from an ancient city where garbage was a daily occurrence. This tradition continued into the Roman era, and the gates have been renovated a number of times in the last two centuries.
Eastern Gate
The Eastern Gate of the Bible is a mysterious and significant structure located on the eastern wall of the Old City of Jerusalem. This area is known for its supernatural activity.
It is also associated with the Messianic expectation. In Jewish tradition, it is believed that the Messiah will enter through this gate when He comes to rule. However, there are questions surrounding the identity of the person who will use the Eastern Gate.
In the book of Ezekiel, the eastern gate of the temple is described as being closed. This is because God’s glory was leaving the temple.
The Hebrew word for “gate” is hamesh. Historically, the Eastern Gate has been considered a “gate of mercy”. It has become synonymous with the coming of the Messianic leader, Jesus of Nazareth.
Western Gate
The Golden Gate of the Bible holds a special place in the future of Jerusalem. It plays an active role in ushering in the New Heaven and New Earth.
Many people believe that the gate is awaiting its grand opening by the Messiah. In Muslim tradition, it is the site of Allah’s final judgement. This gate is also the gateway to the tomb of Abraham.
The aforementioned gate has a long history. It was constructed in the 5th century B.C., in response to Cyrus’ decree to rebuild Jerusalem. A shield of David is embedded in its walls.
A similar gate was built by Solomon. However, it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Sha’ar Ha’araiot, or the Gate of the Lions, is a Hebrew term for this gate. In fact, it is the name of the gate that appears in Ezekiel. According to Ezekiel, the gate was the portal through which the Prince of God would return to Israel.
Temple gates
There are many references in the Bible to temple gates. Some believe that these are a type of the Judgment Seat of Christ. Others argue that they are the power of Satan. It is important to consider the differences between these two interpretations.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday through the East Gate. The Old Gate and the Corner Gate are identified in 2 Kings 14:13 and Jeremiah 31:38. A Jewish tradition says that the Eastern Gate will open when the Messiah returns.
King Solomon built the first Temple in Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the Temple in 586 BCE. During the Babylonian captivity, people dealt with disputes at the gate. Until the Crusader period, Herodian Temples were built inside the city wall.
One of the earliest biblical references to a gate is found in Genesis 23. The ancient city of Dan has an Israelite gate with a stone bench.