The Water-gate is a significant location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Nehemiah. It is one of the gates of Jerusalem, which played a crucial role during the time of the rebuilding of the city walls under Nehemiah's leadership. The Water-gate is particularly noted for its association with the public reading of the Law.

Biblical References:

1. Nehemiah 3:26 · "And the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower."

In this passage, the Water-gate is mentioned as a landmark in the reconstruction efforts of Jerusalem's walls. The temple servants, or Nethinim, were involved in the repairs, indicating the gate's proximity to the temple area and its importance in the city's religious and civic life.

2. Nehemiah 8:1-3 · "At that time all the people gathered together as one in the square before the Water Gate. And they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand. So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law."

This passage highlights the Water-gate as a central location for the spiritual renewal of the people of Israel. The public reading of the Law by Ezra signifies a return to covenant faithfulness and a communal commitment to God's commandments. The gathering at the Water-gate underscores its role as a place of assembly and instruction.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Water-gate's name likely derives from its proximity to a water source, possibly the Gihon Spring or the Pool of Siloam, which were vital for the city's water supply. Gates in ancient cities were not only points of entry and exit but also served as places for public gatherings, legal proceedings, and religious activities.

In the context of Nehemiah's time, the Water-gate's significance is amplified by the spiritual revival that took place there. The reading of the Law at this gate symbolizes the people's desire to align themselves with God's will and to restore their identity as His chosen people after the Babylonian exile.

Theological Significance:

The events at the Water-gate reflect the importance of God's Word in the life of the community. The public reading and explanation of the Law demonstrate the necessity of understanding and obeying God's commandments. This gathering serves as a model for the communal worship and study of Scripture, emphasizing the role of spiritual leaders like Ezra in guiding the people in truth.

The Water-gate also represents a place of renewal and recommitment to the covenant. It is a reminder of the transformative power of God's Word and the unity it brings to His people when they gather to hear and respond to it.

Reading the Law with Tears and Joy
... 'And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that
was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/reading the law with tears.htm

Prayer and the House of God
... themselves, were alive to the situation, and, on one occasion, the priests, Levites
and people assembled themselves together as one man before the water gate. ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xiv prayer and the house.htm

Appendix 1 Massecheth Middoth
... That in the south was the gate of burning; second to it, the gate of the firstborn;
third to it, the water gate. ... And why was its name called the water-gate? ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 1 massecheth middoth.htm

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
... The Water-gate, of which is mention, Nehemiah 12:37.3. Ophel, and the Horse-gate,
Nehemiah 3:27,28; of which mention is also made, Jeremiah 31:40. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 26 the girdle of.htm

Illustrations
... Salt junk on the Yang-tsi 13 6. Travelling by mule cart on "the great plain" 19
7. Ch'ung-k'ing, the Yang-tsi, and mountains beyond 24 8. Water gate and Custom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/illustrations.htm

The Joy of the Lord, the Strength of his People
... even then melted with penitential grief, "for all the people wept when they heard
the words of the law." The vast congregation before the watergate, under the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the joy of the lord.htm

Overcoming Great Difficulties
... At the Fountain Gate they went straight up the stairs of the City of David by the
ascent along the wall above the House of David to the Water Gate on the east ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/overcoming great difficulties.htm

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
... A threefold blast of the Priests' trumpets welcomed the arrival of the Priest, as
he entered through the Water-gate,' [4006] which obtained its name from this ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in the last.htm

The Life of David Hackston of Rathillet.
... which he and other three prisoners were taken to Edinburgh, where, by order of the
council, they were received by the magistrates at the water-gate, and he set ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of david hackston.htm

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... verse in this chapter he informs us that "all the people gathered themselves together,
as one man, into the street that is before the water gate, and they ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm

Water-gate (5 Occurrences)
Water-gate. Water-flood, Water-gate. Water-hen . Multi-Version
Concordance Water-gate (5 Occurrences). Nehemiah 3:26 ...
/w/water-gate.htm - 8k

Street (54 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the
street that was before the watergate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to ...
/s/street.htm - 26k

Broad (113 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:1 All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad
place that was before the watergate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to ...
/b/broad.htm - 40k

Nethinim (16 Occurrences)
... A part of the city in Ophel, opposite the Water-gate, was assigned them as an official
residence (Nehemiah 3:26, 31), and the situation is certainly ...
/n/nethinim.htm - 18k

Square (94 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:1 All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad
place that was before the watergate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to ...
/s/square.htm - 39k

Nethinims (15 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Nehemiah 3:26 Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over
against the watergate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out. ...
/n/nethinims.htm - 11k

Noon (30 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:3 He read therein before the broad place that was before the watergate
from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women ...
/n/noon.htm - 16k

Water-hen (2 Occurrences)
Water-hen. Water-gate, Water-hen. Water-hole . Multi-Version Concordance
Water-hen (2 Occurrences). ... Water-gate, Water-hen. Water-hole . Reference Bible
/w/water-hen.htm - 6k

Water-flood (1 Occurrence)
Water-flood. Waterflood, Water-flood. Water-gate . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Waterflood, Water-flood. Water-gate . Reference Bible.
/w/water-flood.htm - 6k

Intelligent (47 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 8:3 and he readeth in it before the broad place that 'is' before the
water-gate, from the light till the middle of the day, over-against the men, and ...
/i/intelligent.htm - 20k

What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

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