The walls of Jerusalem hold great significance in the Bible and biblical history. Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible, highlighting its importance. The walls of the city specifically are mentioned over 40 times and play a key role in various events and teachings in Scripture.
Jerusalem’s walls date back over 4,000 years to the Jebusite city conquered by King David around 1000 BC. David captured the stronghold of Zion and Jerusalem became known as the “City of David” (2 Samuel 5:6-10). Solomon later expanded and reinforced the walls during construction of the first temple (1 Kings 3:1). Over the centuries, the walls were damaged and rebuilt many times as Jerusalem endured numerous sieges and invasions. Key events involving the walls include:
- The fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 BC when the walls were destroyed (2 Kings 25:10)
- Rebuilding of the walls under Nehemiah’s leadership after the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 3-6)
- Destruction of the walls by Romans armies in 70 AD
- Expansion of walls and fortification during Crusader rule in the 12th century
- Capture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 1187 after he breached the walls
- Ottoman rebuilding and expansion of the walls in the 16th century
The current Old City walls in Jerusalem date primarily to the Ottoman period. The ramparts stretch about 2.5 miles around the Old City.
Beyond just physical protection, Jerusalem’s walls held deep spiritual meaning. They represented safety, security and God’s protection for His chosen city and people. Walls and gates are used throughout Scripture as metaphors for salvation, deliverance and spiritual strength.
“Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; They will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the LORD. Give the LORD no rest until He completes His work, until He makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7)
Some key biblical passages involving Jerusalem’s walls include:
- Nehemiah’s prayer upon surveying Jerusalem’s broken walls, asking God for guidance and strength to rebuild them (Nehemiah 1:1-11)
- Nehemiah’s night inspection of the walls and urging the people to repair the breaches (Nehemiah 2:11-18)
- Enemies mocking and threatening attack during the wall repairs, met by Nehemiah’s prayers and perseverance (Nehemiah 4:1-23)
- Completion of the wall rebuild despite opposition, seen as evidence of God’s provision (Nehemiah 6:15-16)
- The Psalmist praising God as a stronghold of salvation, whose walls are ever before Him (Psalm 48:12-14)
- Isaiah’s prophecy of Jerusalem’s walls being called “Salvation” and her gates “Praise” (Isaiah 60:18)
- God’s promise to be a wall of fire around Jerusalem and her glory within (Zechariah 2:5)
- Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and predicting enemies would build an embankment against its walls (Luke 19:41-44)
The perseverance of Jerusalem’s walls despite repeated destruction is seen by many as symbolic of God’s faithfulness. Though the walls came down, they were rebuilt. And though Jerusalem suffered conquest after conquest, it endures. The walls are a testament to God’s covenant promises.
“Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.” (Psalm 125:1-2)
The height and breadth of the walls, requiring tens of thousands of tons of stone, also represent the immensity of God’s power and protection. The gates barred invading armies and withstood battering rams. Yet Scripture says God’s deliverance is higher and stronger still.
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 125:2)
Another key significance of Jerusalem’s walls was in defining sacred space. The walls enclosed and protected the holiest site in Judaism – the Temple. The Temple represented God’s presence and served as the center of Jewish spirituality. The walls helped demarcate the Temple’s courts and separated the sacred from the profane.
When Nehemiah led the effort to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, it was not merely for military defenses. Restoring the boundaries around the Temple enabled proper worship and sacrifice to resume, marking the spiritual rebirth of Jerusalem.
Lastly, the gates in the walls held deep meaning. They were instrumental in delineating divisions within the city – royal quarter, temple district, residential areas. Passing through the gates also represented a transition, such as pilgrims entering the temple courts to draw nearer to God.
Gates are referenced over 150 times in Scripture. Jesus spoke of being the gate for the sheep (John 10:7) and the narrow gate to salvation (Matthew 7:13-14). Heaven itself has walls and gates, described in Revelation.
So in summary, Jerusalem’s walls held both practical and symbolic significance in the Bible. They provided military protection but also represented God’s covenant loyalty, His deliverance for His people, His power and presence with His children, and the great divide between sacred and worldly realms. The enduring walls still speak these truths today.