Temple Mount: Southern Wall (Southern Steps) (Davidson Center) (Jerusalem, Israel)

City:

Jerusalem

State, Province, Region, or District:

Jerusalem District

Country:

Israel

Overview

The Southern Wall is the retaining wall of the Temple Mount at the southern end built during King Herod's expansion of the Temple Mount platform southward on to the Ophel.

The Southern Steps are an enormous flight of steps that lead to the Southern Wall. During the time of Christ, the Southern Stairs were the main entrance to the Temple Mount from the City of David and the city's western area, where most of the population lived. King Herod had them redone and made them staggered so no one could enter the presence of God without being thoughtful in the process. The stairs were cut out of the bedrock of the mountain, and part of them can still be seen today.

Multitudes arrived at the Southern Stairs by using a main road (Pilgrim's Road or Herodian St.) that connected the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount. The Pool of Siloam was a massive mikvah at the lower part of the City of David that the Jews used for purification purposes before entering the Temple Mount. There were also many purification mikvahs at the base of the Southern Stairs as well (around 48 total).

The width of the stairs was hundreds of feet wide, so they provided plenty of space for congregating and teaching. The Southern Stairs were also called “The Rabbis’ Stairs” or the “Teaching Stairs” as rabbis taught their disciples on them. There is no doubt Jesus would have walked on these stairs and taught His disciples here. It’s also likely that the young Apostle Paul sat here under the teaching of Gamaliel as well (Acts 22:3).

Alternate Names

HaKotel HaDromi

Geography & Location

The southern wall area is located on the south-west side of the temple mount, inside the old city. The area is approached thru the Ha’Ashpathot (Dung) gate, which is located on the south side of the area, which is today an archaeological park (Davidson Center).

Biblical, Historical, & Archaeological Background Information

The Southern Stairs were one of the main entrances from the south to the Temple Mount during Christ's time. Two main gate entrances led from these stairs up to the Temple Mount Platform. These gates are commonly known as the Hulda Gates. The gate for entering the Temple Mount Platform was on the right (east side), and the gate for leaving the Temple Mount was on the left (western side).

Architecture

The Southern Wall is 922 feet (281 meters) in length, and which the historian Josephus equates as being equal to the length of one furlong (Greek: stadion). Herod's southern extension of the Temple Mount is clearly visible from the east, standing on the Mount of Olives or to a visitor standing on top of the Temple mount as a slight change in the plane of the eastern wall, the so-called "Straight Joint." Herod's Royal Stoa stood atop this southern extension. The retaining wall is built of enormous blocks of Jerusalem stone, the face of each ashlar (block) is edged with a margin, the bossage is raised about 3/8" above the surrounding margins. The unmortared blocks are so finely fitted together that a knife blade cannot be inserted between the ashlars.

Biblical & Historical References

The Temple Mount is also called Mount Moriah and was the place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son Isaac to God (Genesis 22:1-2).

Spiritual Lessons and Application

The Southern Stairs were also called “The Rabbis’ Stairs” or the “Teaching Stairs” as rabbis taught their disciples on them. The discipleship process during Christ's time placed a strong emphasis on knowing God’s Word, relational mentoring, character, discipline, commitment, and devotion. How are Christians and the church doing today regarding biblical discipleship? The contrast between discipleship in Christ’s time and discipleship today is quite staggering.

Etymology

HaKotel Hadromi– In Hebrew – The “South Wall” – the Hebrew name for the southern wall.