Zion in the Old and New Testaments
Zion, meaning "sunny" or "height," is a significant geographical and theological term in the Bible, primarily referring to one of the eminences upon which Jerusalem was built [1, 6]. It was the southeastern hill of Jerusalem, separated from Mount Moriah by the Tyropoeon Valley [1]. After King David captured it from the Jebusites, he established his citadel and palace there, leading to its designation as "the City of David" [1, 12].
In the Old Testament, Zion often serves as a poetic name for Jerusalem itself [8]. It is frequently mentioned in the Psalms and prophetic books, representing the city, even in times of ruin [8]. For instance, Psalm 48:12 encourages, "Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number its towers" [2]. The prophets also speak of Zion's redemption and restoration, as seen in Isaiah 1:27: "Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness" [5]. Yahweh is depicted as having chosen Zion and desired it for His habitation (Psalm 132:13) [4]. It is also referred to as "the Zion of the Holy One," signifying the royal court or sanctuary of God [11]. The prophet Zechariah calls for those dwelling in Babylon to save themselves, addressing "O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babel" [3].
The theological significance of Zion extends beyond its physical location. It is often associated with God's dwelling place and the center of His kingdom [7, 10]. The prophet Ezekiel refers to Zion, or Moriah, as "mine holy mountain" and "the height of Israel," contrasting it with the idolatrous high places [13]. The Old Testament prophecies concerning the restoration of Israel and the future kingdom of God are often tied to Zion, with some interpretations suggesting a literal fulfillment where all nations will come to worship God in Jerusalem [9].
In the New Testament, particularly in the book of Hebrews, Zion takes on a heavenly and spiritual dimension. Hebrews 12:22 states that believers "have now come to wonderful Mount Zion," which is closely associated with the heavenly Jerusalem [7]. This heavenly Zion represents God's dwelling place and signifies a new covenant relationship with God characterized by joy, peace, and fellowship [7]. This contrasts with the old covenant, emphasizing a spiritual reality rather than solely a physical location [7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: 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 Kings 8:1; 2 Kings 19:21, 31; 1 Chr. 11:5). In the later books of the Old Testament this name was sometimes used (Ps. 87:2; 149:2; Isa. 33:14; J”
- Psalms “Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number its towers. -- Psalms 48:12”
- Zechariah “Zechariah 2:7 (Geneva1599) — Saue thy selfe, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babel.”
- Psalms “For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation. -- Psalms 132:13”
- Isaiah “Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness. -- Isaiah 1:27”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Zion — monument; raised up; sepulcher”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:22: 12:22 No: There is a strong contrast between the old and the new covenant. Believers have now come to wonderful Mount Zion, which is closely associated with Jerusalem and represents God’s dwelling place. • heavenly Jerusalem: See study note on 8:5. • The new covenant constitutes a relationship with God by which we experience his presence with joy, peace, and fellowship.”
- Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 1:4: 1:4 Jerusalem (Hebrew Zion): In the Psalms and in the prophetic books, Zion represents the city of Jerusalem. In Lamentations, Zion is a poetic name for the city, even in ruins. Hebrews 12:22-24 speaks of the heavenly Zion (see also Rev 14:1-5). • The annual festivals in Jerusalem were the Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Harvest, Harvest (Pentecost), Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Shelters (Tabernacles). • The main duties of the priests were carried out in the Temple and its surrounding area. Since the Temple was in ruins, they had no jobs and hence no”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 88: to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” In Isaiah lxvi. 22, 23 , it is said, “As the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord , so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord .” The literal interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies relating to the restoration of Israel and the future kingdom of C”
- Obadiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Obadiah 1:17: The Kingdom of Jehovah Established upon Zion. - The prophecy advances from the judgment upon all the heathen to the completion of the kingdom of God by the raising up of Israel to world-wide dominion. While the judgment is falling upon all the heathen nations, Mount Zion will be an asylum for those who are delivered. Judah and Israel will capture the possessions of the nations, destroy Edom, and extend its borders on every side (Oba 1:17-19). The Israelites scattered among the nations will return into their enlarged inheritances, and upon Zion will saviours ar”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 60:14: The sons--Their fathers who "afflicted" Israel having been cut off by divine judgments (Isa 14:1-2; Isa 49:23). The Zion of the Holy One--The royal court of the Holy One. MAURER translates, "Zion, the sanctuary (holy place) of Israel" (Isa 57:15; Psa 46:4).”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on II Samuel 5:7: Yet David took the citadel of Zion, that is, the City of David.”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 20:40: For--Though ye, the rebellious portion, withdraw from My worship, others, even the believing remnant, will succeed after you perish, and will serve Me purely. in mine holy mountain-- (Isa 2:2-3). Zion, or Moriah, "the height of Israel" (pre-eminent above all mountains because of the manifested presence of God there with Israel), as opposed to their "high places," the worship on which was an abomination to God. all--not merely individuals, such as constitute the elect Church now; but the whole nation, to be followed by the conversion of the Gentil”