The Dung Gate is one of the gates mentioned in the Bible as part of the walls of Jerusalem. It holds historical and spiritual significance, particularly in the context of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. The gate is referenced in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Nehemiah, which provides insight into its purpose and the role it played in the life of the city.

Biblical References:

1. Nehemiah 2:13 : "So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire." This verse highlights Nehemiah's inspection of the city's walls, including the Dung Gate, as he prepared to lead the effort to rebuild Jerusalem.

2. Nehemiah 3:14 : "The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem. He rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars." This passage details the specific work done on the Dung Gate during the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls. Malkijah, a leader from the district of Beth-haccherem, took responsibility for this section, emphasizing the collaborative effort among the Israelites to restore their city.

3. Nehemiah 12:31 : "Then I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and I appointed two great thanksgiving choirs. One was to proceed along the top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate." This verse describes a procession during the dedication of the wall, indicating the Dung Gate's location and its inclusion in the ceremonial activities.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Dung Gate, as its name suggests, was likely used for the removal of refuse and waste from the city. Its strategic location would have facilitated the disposal of waste outside the city walls, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene within Jerusalem. The gate's mention in the context of Nehemiah's rebuilding project underscores its practical importance to the city's infrastructure.

Spiritual Significance:

From a spiritual perspective, the Dung Gate can symbolize the need for purification and the removal of sin and impurity from one's life. Just as the gate served to expel waste from the city, believers are called to rid themselves of spiritual "dung"—sinful behaviors and attitudes that hinder their relationship with God. The rebuilding of the Dung Gate, along with the rest of the wall, represents a renewal and restoration of the community's commitment to holiness and obedience to God's commandments.

Archaeological Insights:

Modern archaeological studies have identified the location of the ancient Dung Gate, which aligns with the descriptions found in the biblical text. The current Dung Gate, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, serves as a reminder of the city's rich biblical history and the enduring legacy of Nehemiah's leadership.

In summary, the Dung Gate is a significant feature in the biblical narrative of Jerusalem's restoration. It serves as a testament to the practical and spiritual efforts of the Israelites to rebuild their city and renew their covenant with God.Dung Gate

DUNG; DUNG GATE

dung ('ashpoth, domen, peresh; skubalon, etc.): Nine different words occurring in the Hebrew have been translated "dung" in the Old Testament. The word used to designate one of the gates of Jerusalem ('ashpoth, Nehemiah 2:13; Nehemiah 3:14) is more general than the others and may mean any kind of refuse. The gate was probably so named because outside it was the general dump heap of the city. Visitors in recent years riding outside the city walls of Jerusalem, on their way to the Mt. of Olives or Jericho, may have witnessed such a dump against the wall, which has existed for generations.

The first mention made of dung is in connection with sacrificial rites. The sacred law required that the dung, along with what parts of the animal were not burned on the altar, should be burned outside the camp (Exodus 29:14 Leviticus 4:11; Leviticus 8:17; Leviticus 16:27 Numbers 19:5). The fertilizing value of dung was appreciated by the cultivator, as is indicated by Luke 13:8 and possibly Psalm 83:10 and Isaiah 25:10.

Dung was also used as a fuel. Ezekiel 4:12, 15 will be understood when it is known that the dung of animals is a common fuel throughout Palestine and Syria, where other fuel is scarce. During the summer, villagers gather the manure of their cattle, horses or camels, mix it with straw, make it into cakes and dry it for use as fuel for cooking, especially in the winter when wood or charcoal or straw are not procurable. It burns slowly like peat and meets the needs of the kitchen. In Mesopotamia the writer saw it being used with forced draft to fire a steam boiler. There was no idea of uncleanness in Ezekiel's mind, associated with the use of animal dung as fuel (Ezekiel 4:15).

Figuratively: Dung was frequently used figuratively to express the idea

(a) of worthlessness, especially a perishable article for which no one cares (1 Kings 14:10 2 Kings 6:25; 2 Kings 9:37 Job 20:7 Psalm 83:10 Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 9:22; Jeremiah 16:4; Jeremiah 25:33 Zephaniah 1:17 Philippians 3:8 (the American Standard Revised Version "refuse")). Dunghill was used in the same way (1 Samuel 2:8 Ezra 6:11 Psalm 113:7 Isaiah 25:10 Daniel 2:5; Daniel 3:29 Luke 14:35 Lamentations 4:5);

(b) as an expression of disgust (2 Kings 18:27 Isaiah 36:12);

(c) of rebuke (Malachi 2:3).

James A. Patch

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
... the foot of mount Acra. And, 2. A thousand cubits thence, "The Esquiline,
or Dung-gate," verse 14. And, 3. "The Fountain-gate," verse ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 26 the girdle of.htm

Overcoming Great Difficulties
... The first marched to the right upon the wall toward the Dung Gate; and behind
them went Hoshaiah and half of the officials of Judah. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/overcoming great difficulties.htm

Nehemiah's Answer to a Call for Help
... I went out by night through the Valley Gate, toward the Dragon's Well and to the
Dung Gate; and I examined carefully the walls of Jerusalem which were broken ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/nehemiahs answer to a call.htm

The Strait Gate;
... THE STRAIT GATE; OR, GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN: ... Reader, he will be clear
of thy blood. Enter upon the solemn inquiry, Have I sought the gate? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

The Last Agony
... of misery, telling how high-born women picked garbage from dung-heaps, and ... commanders
of the Babylonians planted themselves at 'the middle gate,' probably a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the last agony.htm

"How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds. "
... CM "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds.". Ka gate me noo tah gwud e ne Je sus oo
de noo z'win. Me ewh wan je me noo da ad Owh duh ya bwa yan dung. ...
/.../a collection of gospel hymns in ojibway and english/nuhguhmoowin 14 c m how.htm

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
... and though this man was not himself set as a governor at that gate, yet was he ... the
common sewers and old dunghills of cattle, and to eat the dung which they ...
/.../chapter 13 the great slaughters.htm

Application of these Motives
... our sacrifices as dung in our faces, and should cast us out as the dung of the ... and
take the kingdom by force, to strive to enter in at the strait gate, and so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 4.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... tell me, can ye say that ye have seen all in yourselves as dung and dross ... But coming
to Jesus Christ is the comprehensive short gate,(495) and therefore it is ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi but seek ye.htm

Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven.
... towards each of the four corners of the world (ver.13), and at each gate an angel ...
riches and glory of the world (in respect of it) to be but dung (Philippians 3 ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the blessed state.htm

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