Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ZION

(Heb. ṣîyôn; Gk. Siṓn)

An ancient name for various aspects of Jerusalem, Judah, and the whole country, and also a metaphor for the people of Yahweh. The original meaning of the term is uncertain. Possible suggestions include a rock, stronghold, a dry place, or running water.

The name Zion was first mentioned for the Jebusite fortress (“the stronghold of Zion”) in 2 Sam. 5:6-10. David took Jerusalem from the Jebusites, and Zion was subsequently equated with the name Jerusalem, the city of David (1 Kgs. 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[MT 12]; 76:2[3]; Isa. 8:18; 18:7; 24:23; Joel 3:17[4:17]). 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 (Isa. 2:3; 33:14; Joel 2:32[3:5]). One apparent exception 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” (Cant. 3:11; Isa. 3:16; 4:4; also Matt. 21:5; John 12:15), “daughter Zion” (Jer. 4:31; 6:2; Zech. 9:9), and “virgin daughter Zion” (Isa. 37:22; Lam. 2:13; 2 Kgs. 19:21). This metaphorical usage continues in the NT, in reference to the Church, “heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb. 12:22), or in the eschatological battle (Rev. 14:1).

At present the hill S of the southwestern 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 (cf. Josephus BJ 5.4.1 [137]).

Aaron W. Park

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ZION

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)