OPHEL. We find by Scripture, that at Jerusalem was a Wall and Tower of1 Ophel. Jotham King of Judah made several Buildings on the Wall, or within the Wall 2 Chron. xxvii. 3. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 14of Ophel, Manasseh King of Judah built a Wall to the West of Jerusalem and the Fountain Gibon, beyond the City of David, from the Fish-gate as far as Ophel. At the Return from the Captivity, the Nethinims dwelt at Ophel; which gives Nehem. iii. 26. xi. 21.Room to guess, that this Wall and Tower were in the Neighbourhood of the Temple, since the Nethinims ought to be at Hand, to be ready at all Times to do their Duty therein. In Micah2 there is Mention made of the Tower of Ophel: And thou, O Tower of the Flock, the strong Hold of the Daughter of Zion. The Hebrew says, And thou, Tower of the Flock, Ophel, Daughter of Zion, though some translate Ophel by Bulwark, or strong Hold. There was at Jerusalem a Sheep-gate, and a Tower of Ophel. Josephus3 speaks of Ophlas, which is the same as Ophel; and it seems to me, by what he says of it, that it must be near the Temple.
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