Zion
Sunny; height, one of the eminences on which Jerusalem was built. It was surrounded on all sides, except the north, by deep valleys, that of the Tyropoeon (q.v.) separating it from Moriah (q.v.), which it surpasses in height by 105 feet. It was the south-eastern hill of Jerusalem.
When David took it from the Jebusites (Josh 15:63; 2 Sam 5:7) he built on it a citadel and a palace, and it became “the city of David” (1 Kgs 8:1; 2 Kgs 19:21, 2 Kgs 19:31; 1 Chr 11:5). In the later books of the Old Testament this name was sometimes used (Ps 87:2; Ps 149:2; Isa 33:14; Joel 2:1) to denote Jerusalem in general, and sometimes God’s chosen Israel (Ps 51:18; Ps 87:5).
In the New Testament (see Sion) it is used sometimes to denote the Church of God (Heb 12:22), and sometimes the heavenly city (Rev 14:1).
Named in the Bible
The first 20 of 153 verses
- 2 Samuel 5:7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
- 1 Kings 8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
- 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
- 2 Kings 19:31 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
- 1 Chronicles 11:5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.
- 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
- Psalms 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
- Psalms 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
- Psalms 9:14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
- Psalms 14:7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
- Psalms 20:2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
- Psalms 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
- Psalms 48:11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
- Psalms 48:12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
- Psalms 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
- Psalms 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
- Psalms 53:6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
- Psalms 69:35 For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.
- Psalms 74:2 Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
- Psalms 76:2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
