I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nehemiah's careful inspection didn't just cover the visible damage; he intentionally chose routes through the "Valley Gate" and the "Dung Gate" – passages associated with waste and neglect. This symbolic journey through the city's refuse highlights his deep, thorough assessment of Jerusalem's brokenness before he dared to propose its restoration.
I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After receiving the king's permission and escort, Nehemiah embarks on a secret, nighttime inspection of Jerusalem's devastated walls. He begins by venturing out through the valley gate, moving past the "dragon well" and the dung gate, assessing the full extent of the damage to the city's defenses. This survey, conducted under the cover of darkness, sets the stage for his bold proposal to rebuild the walls, which he will present to the Jewish leaders.
Why did Nehemiah focus on specific gates and the walls? These weren't just ancient structures; they were vital to the city's survival and identity.
The City's Defense and Dignity
Nehemiah's nighttime inspection wasn't just about physical repair; it was about understanding the city's vulnerability and the immense task ahead.
The names 'Dragon Spring' and 'Dung Gate' sound strange to us. What do they reveal about ancient Jerusalem and Nehemiah's perspective?
More Than Just Names
These names weren't arbitrary; they pointed to the function and perhaps even the spiritual state of these locations.
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Why go out at night? What does this clandestine mission reveal about Nehemiah's character and strategy?
Stealth and Strategy
Nehemiah's decision to inspect the walls under the cover of darkness was a calculated move, revealing his bravery and wisdom.
Understand the original words
sha'ar · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, a gate was a place of public assembly, judicial proceedings, and city defense; in this context, it marks specific locations of the city's perimeter.
chomah · Hebrew Noun
A barrier or wall, often signifying protection, separation from the outside, or the security of God's people; broken walls represent vulnerability and judgment.
sum · Hebrew Verb
The process of assessing something carefully; in this context, it reflects wise stewardship and planning before undertaking the work of God.
esh · Hebrew Noun
Fire in this context is associated with the destructive power of enemies and the physical consequence of judgment or war on the city.
Nehemiah's inspection wasn't just about seeing broken stones; it was about confronting the physical evidence of his people's vulnerability and national shame after decades of ruin.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and its Walls
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army conquer Jerusalem, destroy the city walls and gates, and exile much of the population. This event leaves Jerusalem in ruins for decades.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus Cylinder Issued
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, the returned exiles complete the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. However, the city walls remain unrepaired.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Inspection Tour
Nehemiah, serving as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, undertakes a secret nighttime inspection of Jerusalem's ruined walls and gates to assess the damage before proposing repairs.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah Begins Wall Reconstruction
Following his inspection and with royal permission, Nehemiah rallies the people of Judah to begin the challenging work of rebuilding Jerusalem's defenses, facing opposition from surrounding peoples.
This passage also describes the northern wall of Jerusalem and its gates, highlighting the need for restoration even during times of peace, mirroring Nehemiah's assessment of destruction.
Ezekiel 40:6Ezekiel's vision of a future temple includes detailed descriptions of gates and walls, emphasizing God's concern for proper construction and defense, a stark contrast to the ruined state Nehemiah observed.
Psalm 80:12This psalm laments Israel's vulnerability, likening their broken state to a vineyard whose walls are broken down, a powerful metaphor for the same desolation Nehemiah witnessed firsthand.
Lamentations 2:9This verse directly speaks of Jerusalem's gates being destroyed and broken down, echoing the specific devastation Nehemiah saw and underscoring the depth of their affliction.
pulpitNehemiah 2:13: "And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire."
Verse 13. - The valley gate. A gate on the western or south-western side of Jerusalem, opening towards the valley of Hinnom. There are no means of fixing its exact position. It was one of those which Uzziah fortified (2 Chronicles 26:9). The dragon well. Dean Stanley sugges…
clarkeNehemiah 2:13: "And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire."
The dragon well - Perhaps so called because of the representation of a dragon, out of whose mouth the stream issued that proceeded from the well. Dung port - This was the gate on the eastern side of the city, through which the filth of the city was carried into the valley o…
Nehemiah's careful inspection didn't just cover the visible damage; he intentionally chose routes through the "Valley Gate" and the "Dung Gate" – passages associated with waste and neglect. This symbolic journey through the city's refuse highlights his deep, thorough assessment of Jerusalem's brokenness before he dared to propose its restoration.
After receiving the king's permission and escort, Nehemiah embarks on a secret, nighttime inspection of Jerusalem's devastated walls. He begins by venturing out through the valley gate, moving past the "dragon well" and the dung gate, assessing the full extent of the damage to the city's defenses. This survey, conducted under the cover of darkness, sets the stage for his bold proposal to rebuild the walls, which he will present to the Jewish leaders.
After receiving the king's permission and escort, Nehemiah embarks on a secret, nighttime inspection of Jerusalem's devastated walls. He begins by venturing out through the valley gate, moving past the "dragon well" and the dung gate, assessing the full extent of the damage to the city's defenses. This survey, conducted under the cover of darkness, sets the stage for his bold proposal to rebuild the walls, which he will present to the Jewish leaders.
"I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire." — Nehemiah's careful inspection didn't just cover the visible damage; he intentionally chose routes through the "Valley Gate" and the "Dung Gate" – passages associated with waste and neglect. This symb…
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Last reviewed October 2026