'Zion' or (Tsiyon in Hebrew) is an ancient name used for various geographical aspects of Jerusalem, Judah, and the whole nation of Israel. But it is also a metaphor used by Yahweh in the Bible to collectively designate His chosen people living His Torah lifestyle. It has nothing to do with the modern 'Republic of Israel' or the secular political system called 'Zionism'. The original meaning of the word is uncertain but suggestions include a rock, a stronghold, a dry place, or running water.
The name Tsiyon was first mentioned for the Jebusite fortress ("the stronghold of Zion") in 2 Samuel 5:6-10. David took Jebus (Yerushalayim/Jerusalem) from the Jebusites, and Zion was subsequently equated with the name Jerusalem, the City of David (1 Ki.8:1; 2 Chr.5:2). Associated with this is an understanding that the temple mount, Mt.Zion, is a dwelling place of Yahweh, the Divine King of Israel (Ps.9:11; 76:2; Is.8:18; 18:7; 24:23; Joel 3:17). With the transfer of the ark from the City of David to the temple built by Solomon, Yahweh was said to dwell in the Zion-temple compound.
The term is also frequently used for the whole of Jerusalem (Is.2:3; 33:14; Joel.2:32). One apparent example is its parallel use with Samaria (Amos 6:1).
Zion also refers to the inhabitants of Jerusalem or the whole people of Israel. This includes such expressions as "sons of Zion"
(Lam.4:2), "daughter(s) of Zion" (SS 3:11; Is.3:16; 4:4; Mt.21:5; Jn.12:15), "daughter of Zion" (Jer.4:31; 6:2; Zech.9:9) and "virgin daughter Zion" (Is.37:22; Lam.2:13; 2 Ki.19:21). This metaphorical usage continues in the Messianic Scriptures (New Testament), in reference to the Messianic Community (Church), "heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb.12:22), or in the eschatological battle (Rev.14:1).
At present, the hill south of the southwest portion of the Old City of Jerusalem, where the traditional site of David's Tomb and the upper room of the Last Supper are located, is called 'Mt.Zion'. Evidently, by the Byzantine period the name had been transferred to the southwestern hill (cp. Josephus BJ 5.4.1).
The articles on this website are mostly concerned with what biblical Zion or Israel is relative to the Assembly of Yahweh (Church of God).
(20 January 2019)
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