Zion is an ancient term connected to the fortified hill of pre-Israelite Jerusalem. In the Bible, Zion can mean several things.
- One of the summits on which Jerusalem sits.
- The entire city of Jerusalem
- The nation of Israel
- Or the hope of God ultimately dwelling with His people for eternity.
If you are wondering where Zion is located, check out this topographical map with the outlined old city walls of Jerusalem. Mount Zion is directly southwest and sits above the Hinnom Valley.
The first time the term Zion is used in the Old Testament is 2 Samuel 5:6-7. David became king when he was 30 years old. He reigned for 40 years (7.5 years in Hebron and 33 years in Jerusalem). David’s tribe, Judah (in the southern part of the kingdom), declared him king, while the northern tribes acknowledged Saul’s youngest son as king. After 7.5 years, all of Israel finally recognized David as king.
In 2 Samuel 5, Israel conquers the Jebusites and claims Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. David makes a strategic decision to relocate the capital from Hebron to Jerusalem. Why change to Jerusalem? Why is it better than Hebron?
1. It’s in a Benjaminite territory. Saul was a Benjaminite, which helped ease political tensions.
2. The spring of Gihon flows in Jerusalem, which provides a plentiful water source.
3. It was a fortified city on a hill.
You will notice that the Bible often references people walking “up to Jerusalem” in both the Old and New Testaments. The walk is upward due to geography, but there is a greater spiritual sense of walking up to the holy city. The city is fortified, but God’s presence within it makes it a stronghold. Zion is a reminder God is with us now and through eternity. The city of Jerusalem (or Zion) becomes a symbol of God’s presence and protection.
In Psalm 48, God makes the city of Zion safe, which demonstrates how God makes us safe, too. God is both reliable and eternal. God would be good but powerless if He were reliable without being eternal. God would be powerful but not good if He were eternal but unreliable. The concept of Zion in the Bible reveals God is both! He is reliable and eternal.