Zion
LocationsGeographical Setting
Zion denotes the City of David, the original Jebusite settlement conquered by King David, which later became synonymous with the entire city of Jerusalem and its temple mount in biblical literature.
What is the meaning of Zion in the Bible?
Zion originally denoted the Jebusite fortress captured by King David, which became the political capital of Israel. The term subsequently expanded to include the Temple Mount and eventually served as a comprehensive synonym for Jerusalem, functioning as a primary geographical and theological symbol in ancient Israelite tradition.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Zion as the original urban core of Jerusalem clarifies the historical progression of the city's development and explains why biblical texts often use 'Zion' to represent the divine presence and the political center of the Davidic monarchy.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Zion in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Zion clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.