Zion: Collectively, the Place, the Forms, and the Assemblies of Israelite Worship
Jump to: Nave'sSubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Place:

Zion is a term that holds profound significance in the biblical narrative, representing both a physical location and a spiritual symbol. Initially, Zion referred to the ancient Jebusite fortress captured by King David, which became the City of David. This is recorded in 2 Samuel 5:7: "Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David)." Over time, the term expanded to encompass the entire city of Jerusalem, particularly the Temple Mount, where Solomon built the Temple, making it the center of Israelite worship.

Forms:

Zion is not only a geographical location but also a representation of God's dwelling place among His people. The Temple in Jerusalem, situated on Mount Zion, was the focal point of Israelite worship, where sacrifices were offered, and festivals were celebrated. Psalm 132:13-14 highlights this divine choice: "For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home: 'This is My resting place forever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired this place.'"

The prophets often used Zion to symbolize the spiritual heart of Israel, a place of divine presence and future hope. Isaiah 2:3 speaks of a time when "many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.' For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

Assemblies:

Zion also represents the collective assembly of God's people. In the Old Testament, it was the gathering place for the tribes of Israel during the major feasts, such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. These assemblies were times of communal worship, reflection, and renewal of the covenant relationship with God.

In the New Testament, Zion takes on a more spiritual dimension, symbolizing the heavenly Jerusalem and the assembly of believers in Christ. Hebrews 12:22-23 states, "Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven."

Zion, therefore, is a multifaceted term that encompasses the physical city of Jerusalem, the spiritual center of Israelite worship, and the eschatological hope of God's eternal kingdom. It is a place where God's presence is manifest, His people are gathered, and His purposes are fulfilled.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Kings 19:21,31
This is the word that the LORD has spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion has despised you, and laughed you to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 9:11
Sing praises to the LORD, which dwells in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 48:2,11,12
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 74:2
Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old; the rod of your inheritance, which you have redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein you have dwelled.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 132:13
For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 137:1
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy on their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 40:9
O Zion, that bring good tidings, get you up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 49:14
But Zion said, The LORD has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 51:16
And I have put my words in your mouth, and I have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, You are my people.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 52:1,2,7,8
Awake, awake; put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for from now on there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 60:14
The sons also of them that afflicted you shall come bending to you; and all they that despised you shall bow themselves down at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you; The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 62:1,11
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burns.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 31:6
For there shall be a day, that the watchmen on the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise you, and let us go up to Zion to the LORD our God.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 50:5
They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
Nave's Topical Index

Lamentations 1:4
The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
Nave's Topical Index

Joel 2:1,15
Blow you the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD comes, for it is near at hand;
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 21:5
Tell you the daughter of Sion, Behold, your King comes to you, meek, and sitting on an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
Nave's Topical Index

John 12:15
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, your King comes, sitting on an ass's colt.
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 9:33
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offense: and whoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 11:26
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Nave's Topical Index

1 Peter 2:6
Why also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded.
Nave's Topical Index

Resources
What is the significance of the city of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different names for the Israelites, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org

What is Zionism / Christian Zionism? | GotQuestions.org

Zion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Zion

Zion or Sion

Zion: Applied to Jerusalem

Zion: Applied to the City of the Redeemed

Zion: Called "The City of David"

Zion: Called the City of God

Zion: Captured from the Jebusites by David

Zion: Collectively, the Place, the Forms, and the Assemblies of Israelite Worship

Zion: Restoration of, Promised

Zion: The Ark of the Covenant: Placed In

Zion: The Ark of the Covenant: Removed From, to Solomon's Temple on Mount Moriah

Related Terms

Zion's (6 Occurrences)

E'zion-Ge'ber (6 Occurrences)

Shaketh (20 Occurrences)

Inhabiting (23 Occurrences)

Inhabitress (12 Occurrences)

Fortunes (30 Occurrences)

Tyropoeon

Roars (9 Occurrences)

Restores (10 Occurrences)

Despiseth (23 Occurrences)

Ascents (21 Occurrences)

Trusts (35 Occurrences)

Colt (15 Occurrences)

Disappointed (69 Occurrences)

Dwellest (27 Occurrences)

Virgins (33 Occurrences)

Daughter (320 Occurrences)

Dwells (64 Occurrences)

Believes (34 Occurrences)

Placing (44 Occurrences)

Confounded (64 Occurrences)

Riding (30 Occurrences)

Zeal (45 Occurrences)

Maidens (40 Occurrences)

Shaken (62 Occurrences)

Deliverance (86 Occurrences)

Ruins (84 Occurrences)

Dismayed (69 Occurrences)

Inhabitant (54 Occurrences)

Shamed (91 Occurrences)

Stronghold (68 Occurrences)

Trodden (42 Occurrences)

Yah (40 Occurrences)

Virgin-daughter (3 Occurrences)

Vindication (14 Occurrences)

Wooded (3 Occurrences)

Wags (2 Occurrences)

Foal (10 Occurrences)

Foreheads (14 Occurrences)

Thickets (14 Occurrences)

Thenceforth (11 Occurrences)

Tosses (3 Occurrences)

Trip (4 Occurrences)

Rejoices (30 Occurrences)

Rubble (17 Occurrences)

Ridiculed (12 Occurrences)

Rests (25 Occurrences)

Ephraim (168 Occurrences)

Despises (16 Occurrences)

Mocks (11 Occurrences)

Meetings (14 Occurrences)

Mizar (1 Occurrence)

Plowed (9 Occurrences)

Praises (66 Occurrences)

Ploughed (16 Occurrences)

Purged (19 Occurrences)

Booth (9 Occurrences)

Chalde'a (9 Occurrences)

Chaldaea (9 Occurrences)

Captureth (24 Occurrences)

Shines (15 Occurrences)

Scabbed (3 Occurrences)

Scorns (6 Occurrences)

Sighing (22 Occurrences)

Brightness (36 Occurrences)

Degrees (18 Occurrences)

Scab (7 Occurrences)

Sounding (99 Occurrences)

Mound (17 Occurrences)

Enthroned (25 Occurrences)

Proclaiming (63 Occurrences)

Mountain (298 Occurrences)

Roaring (28 Occurrences)

Cornerstone (13 Occurrences)

Affirmation (335 Occurrences)

Spreads (31 Occurrences)

Survivors (49 Occurrences)

Rebuild (36 Occurrences)

Zion: Captured from the Jebusites by David
Top of Page
Top of Page