Topical Encyclopedia The term "Sheepmarket" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible but is traditionally associated with the area in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate, mentioned in the context of the Pool of Bethesda in the Gospel of John. The Sheep Gate was an important location in ancient Jerusalem, particularly in relation to the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.Biblical Context: In John 5:2 , it is written: "Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda, and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades." This passage situates the Sheep Gate as a significant landmark in Jerusalem, providing access to the Pool of Bethesda, a place known for its healing waters. The Sheep Gate itself is first mentioned in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah 3:1 states: "Then Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests set to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel." This gate was the starting point for the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, emphasizing its importance in the city's religious and communal life. Historical and Religious Significance: The Sheep Gate was so named because it was the gate through which sheep were brought into the city for sacrifice at the Temple. This gate's proximity to the Temple Mount underscores its role in the sacrificial system, which was central to the worship practices of ancient Israel. The sacrifices offered at the Temple were a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The Pool of Bethesda, located near the Sheep Gate, was a place where many gathered in hope of healing. According to John 5:3-4 , "Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years." The narrative of Jesus healing the invalid at Bethesda highlights His authority and compassion, fulfilling the messianic prophecies of bringing healing and restoration. Theological Implications: The Sheep Gate and the associated Sheepmarket area symbolize the preparation and provision for sacrifice, pointing to the necessity of atonement for sin. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and the Lamb of God, fulfilling the sacrificial system's requirements once and for all. The Sheep Gate thus serves as a reminder of the transition from the Old Covenant, based on repeated animal sacrifices, to the New Covenant, established through the singular, perfect sacrifice of Christ. In summary, while the term "Sheepmarket" itself is not explicitly mentioned in the BSB, its association with the Sheep Gate and the Pool of Bethesda provides rich insights into the religious life of ancient Jerusalem and the fulfillment of Old Testament sacrificial imagery in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Easton's Bible Dictionary Occurs only in John 5:2 (marg., also R.V., "sheep-gate"). The word so rendered is an adjective, and it is uncertain whether the noun to be supplied should be "gate" or, following the Vulgate Version, "pool." Thesaurus Sheepmarket/s/sheepmarket.htm - 6k Sheep-keepers (1 Occurrence) Sheep-market (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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