Bible Dictionaries
East Gate

Holman Bible Dictionary

This designation refers to three different gates. (1) KJV refers to the East Gate of Jerusalem as leading to the Hinnom Valley (Jeremiah 19:2 ). This valley lies to the south of the city rather than the east. Modern speech translations render this phrase Potsherd Gate. This gate may be identified with the Valley Gate (2 Chronicles 26:9; Nehemiah 2:13 ,Nehemiah 2:13,2:15; Nehemiah 3:13 ) or perhaps to the Refuse or Dung Gate (Nehemiah 2:13; Nehemiah 3:13-14; Nehemiah 12:31 ) located 1,000 cubits away. (2) The East Gate of the outer court of the Temple. Since the Temple faced east, this gate was the main entrance to the Temple complex (Ezekiel 47:1 ). Levites in charge of the East Gate of Solomon's Temple had responsibility for the free-will offerings (2 Chronicles 31:14 ). In a vision, Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord depart through the East Gate before the destruction of the city (Ezekiel 10:19 ). His vision of the new Temple included the return of God's glory through the same gate (Ezekiel 43:1-2 ). God's use of this gate rendered it holy. It was to remain closed. Only the prince (messianic king) was allowed to enter it (Ezekiel 44:1-3 ). (3) The East Gate of the inner court of the Temple. This gate was closed on the six working days but open on the Sabbath (Ezekiel 46:1 ).