Historical Background:

This is the smallest of all the gates. It has the lowest archway. It is located in the Old City Wall. It faces south in the direction of the valley of Kidron and Shiloach pool.

The naming of this gate had to do with the removal of rubbish from the city. The name at first can seem repulsive until one understands the importance of the gate. Out of respect for the holiness of the city, rubbish was never allowed to accumulate. It was removed through this gate to keep the city clean and holy. This removal of rubbish restored or cleansed the city from defilement.

The gate faces the Pool of Shiloach. Jesus sent the blind man to this pool to wash his eyes in John 9:7. Through this act of washing the man’s affliction was removed. The waters of this pool were used by the High Priest to emmerse himself in Temple times for purification.

During Rosh Hashanah (The Ten Days of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur) Jews crowd around this water source to recite Tashich which has to do with casting way sins.
In the ceremony some follow the practice of shaking out one’s pockets and the folds in their clothing three times to symbolize the heart’s intention to cast away sin and be completely cleansed. (Neh. 5:13). Sometimes bread is cast upon the waters representing their sins so they can see them taken away. This done on the first day of Rosh Hashanah.

The gate also faces the Kidron Valley.
King Asa burned his grandmother’s pagan Asherah pole. (I Kings 15:13) It was also the dumping grounds for destroyed pagan items. (2 Chron. 29:16, 30:14)

The Meaning for our inheritance:

This gate symbolizes the work of cleansing God wants to do in our lives to restore us. He wants us to cast away our sins upon the waters to be carried away. He wants us to shake out our pockets of our secrete sins and idols so they can be destroyed in the valley or sent to the depths of the sea. As the city needed to have this removal of rubbish on a regular bases to keep it holy and undefiled, so scripture points those who trust in God to seek inner cleansing, “If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves.. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:8,9). The word “cleanse” in this passage means “to free from filth or pollution.” (Strongs, 2511) This kind of regular spiritual upkeep restores and heals the believer. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict of sin (John16:8) and apply the cleansing work of God in us, “According to his mercy he saved us (made us whole), by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”  (Titus 3:5) 

This gate also still calls us to examine our cities along with our own hearts. We are to not only remove the physical rubbish but the spiritual rubbish. This will lead to God visiting and restoring or healing the land, “If my people who are called by my name will turn from their wicked ways and seek My face, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.” (2 Chron 7:14,15) Confessing the sins of our cities results in the restoration or healing of the city! When our hearts are cleansed of defilement and we confess the sins of our cities, God promises to open the Dung Gate and remove and restore the city. He is waiting for us to cast our sins upon the water of His word. We are being called to empty out our pockets of secret sins and dump out the folds our of our minds until all sin is out of our lives. He will carry them away to the depths of the sea.

Prayer of Application:
“O Merciful Father above. We petition you to open this Gate for the removal of sin from our hearts and cities. We call upon you to send the Holy Spirit to expose and reveal all rubbish that needs removal. We ask that you would show us the idols they were hold so dear that they keep us from fully being surrendered to you? Like the blind man of old we come to the pool of your word to apply it to our eyes. Lord, cleanse us so that our spiritual eyes are open and we might know the hope of our calling and inheritance. (Ephesians 4:11-16) Cleans us from all unrighteousness and make us whole. Lord, as we turn to you, show us the rubbish in our cities that we can bring to you for removal by confessing the sin at this gate so it can be removed. Lord, we pray for the Holy Land of Israel. We ask that you would make the Holy Land Holy by exposing and removing the sin and defilement in its cities. Send forth a call to holiness and righteousness to your people. May a new wave of revival sweep the land calling your people to join with the high priest of old in immersing himself in life giving water for purification.  We immerse ourselves in your truth and love and ask that you renew and restore us.