Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7200 History of God's people in OT  »  7239 Jerusalem  »  7241 Jerusalem, significance of

Chosen by God as the location for his sanctuary, Jerusalem was his symbolic dwelling and became the only acceptable place for sacrificial worship. It retained its symbolic significance in NT times when it came to represent the hope of restoration and renewal for the people of God.

Jerusalem chosen by God

1 Kings 11:32 See also 1 Kings 8:44-51 pp 2 Chronicles 6:34-39; 1 Kings 11:36; Kings 14:21 pp 2 Chronicles 12:13; 2 Kings 23:27; Nehemiah 1:8-9

The ark of the covenant brought to Jerusalem

1 Chronicles 15:1-3 See also 2 Samuel 6:1-19 pp 1 Chronicles 15:25-16:3

The temple located in Jerusalem

2 Chronicles 3:1 See also 1 Chronicles 6:31-32; 2 Chronicles 20:27-28; 2 C 7; 2 C 14,22-23 pp Ezra 1:1-3; Psalm 68:28-29; Mark 11:11,15-16; Luke 2:41-51; Luke 4:9; Acts 22:13-18

Jerusalem the only acceptable place for sacrificial worship

Deuteronomy 12:1-7 See also Deuteronomy 12:20-28; 1 Kings 12:26-13:3; Kings 14:22-24; Kings 22:42-43 pp 2 Chronicles 20:31-33; 2 Kings 12:1-3; Kings 16:1-4 pp 2 Chronicles 28:1-4; 2 Kings 23:1-20 pp 2 Chronicles 34:29-32; 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:1; Isaiah 66:20; Hosea 10:8; John 4:20-21

Jerusalem referred to as God's dwelling-place

Psalm 135:21 See also Isaiah 24:23; Isaiah 31:9; Jeremiah 3:17

Personification of Jerusalem

Isaiah 52:1-2 See also Psalm 147:12; Isaiah 3:8; Isaiah 40:2; Isaiah 41:27; Isaiah 52:9; Isaiah 62:6-7; Jeremiah 2:1-2; Jeremiah 4:14; Jeremiah 6:8; Jeremiah 13:9,26-27; Jeremiah 15:5; Lamentations 1:17; Lamentations 2:13-15; Ezekiel 5:8; Ezekiel 16:1-63; Ezekiel 23:1-49; Zephaniah 3:14-17; Zechariah 9:9-10; Matthew 23:37-39 pp Luke 13:34-35

Jerusalem the place of Jesus Christ's triumphal entry

Luke 19:28-38

Jerusalem the place of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection

Luke 23:26-49; Luke 24:1-12,13-33

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem

Acts 1:4-9 See also Acts 2:1-21

Jerusalem the administrative centre of the church

Acts 8:1 See also Acts 8:14,25; Acts 11:1-22,27; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:13; Acts 15:1-29; Acts 16:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; Galatians 1:15-19; Galatians 2:1-10

The new Jerusalem

Revelation 21:1-5 See also Ezekiel 48:30-35; Galatians 4:25-26; Hebrews 12:18-24; Revelation 3:11-13; Revelation 21:9-27

See also

2505  Christ, ascension
2530  Christ, death of
2560  Christ, resurrection
2590  Christ, triumphal entry
3242  Holy Spirit, baptism with
7020  church, the
7269  Zion
7306  ark of the covenant
7374  high places
7466  temples
8704  apostasy
9165  restoration