More than entrances
Jerusalem was a walled city on a ridge, so its gates mattered for safety. They controlled who entered, when commerce came in, and how the city responded to danger. When the returned exiles rebuilt Jerusalem under Nehemiah, repairing the gates was essential alongside rebuilding the walls. A wall with ruined entrances could not properly protect or serve the people (Nehemiah 7:3).
The gate names also connect the city to everyday work. Nehemiah records the rebuilding of the Sheep Gate, then the Fish Gate and Old Gate, with priests, families and craftspeople sharing the task (Nehemiah 3:1; Nehemiah 3:3-6). Jerusalem was not sustained by one impressive leader alone. Many ordinary people took part in restoring the life of the city.
And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.
Where justice was seen
In biblical times, a city gate was often a public meeting place, not merely a doorway. Boaz went to the gate of Bethlehem when he needed elders and witnesses to settle a family matter concerning Ruth (Ruth 4:1-2). The gate provided a visible setting where decisions could be heard and confirmed.
That helps explain why God's law and the prophets speak about judgement at the gates. A stubborn son was brought before the elders at the gate, where a serious case was handled by the community rather than in private (Deuteronomy 21:19). Zechariah later called Jerusalem to speak truth and make judgements that led to peace in its gates (Zechariah 8:16). What happened there revealed whether the city practised justice.
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
Boundaries for worship
The gates also affected the rhythm of worship. In Nehemiah's day, merchants were bringing goods to Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Nehemiah confronted this practice and arranged for the gates to be shut before the Sabbath, so the day set apart for God would not become another trading day (Nehemiah 13:15-19).
The gates themselves were not magical or holy objects. Still, closing them expressed a real choice: would the people let economic pressure rule every day, or would they honour the rest God had commanded? Nehemiah stationed servants at the gates to protect that shared practice (Nehemiah 13:19-22).
Hope beyond old Jerusalem
For Israel, entering Jerusalem's gates could mean joining the gathered people of God in thanksgiving. The writer of Psalm 122 celebrates arriving within those gates, where the tribes came together to give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 122:2-4). The gates marked belonging as well as protection.
Revelation uses that picture in its vision of the New Jerusalem. The city has twelve gates connected with Israel's tribes, and its gates are never shut because God's final kingdom faces no enemy or night (Revelation 21:12-13; Revelation 21:25). Scripture does not assign a hidden spiritual meaning to every historic gate name. Its clearer message is that God desires a people marked by safety, justice, worship and welcome into his presence.
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.