About ZION

What does ZION mean?

Tzion, Hebrew for “Zion,” most specifically refers to Mount Zion, one of the hills that surrounded ancient Jerusalem, but at times is also used interchangeably with Jerusalem.

Description about ZION

Tzion, Hebrew for “Zion,” most specifically refers to Mount Zion, one of the hills that surrounded ancient Jerusalem, but at times is also used interchangeably with Jerusalem. Zion also refers to the land of Israel generally, specifically regarding the longing of the Jews to return there from their exile in foreign lands. For this reason, the return of the Jewish people to Israel after the first Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE was called Shivat Tzion, “Return to Zion.” The movement that inspired the modern return of Jews to Israel, beginning in the 1880s, is called Zionism, for it was inspired by the nation’s ancient longing for Zion. One of the very first Zionist organizations that helped Jews buy land and establish farms in Israel during the late 19th century was called Hibat Tzion, or “Lovers of Zion.” In 1948, when Zionist leaders were preparing to declare the independence of the new Jewish state and debated what to call it, Zion was one of the leading names they considered. Though it was not ultimately chosen, many communities around Israel contain the name Zion, including one of the very first modern Jewish communities established in Israel, Rishon L’Tzion, meaning “First to Zion.” In Jewish liturgy it is written that “a redeemer shall come to Zion.” This is based on the tradition that the Messiah will reign in Jerusalem and from there he will teach the world to know God and follow His righteous ways. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “For the sake of Zion I will not be silent” (Isaiah 62:1), for he understood the central role Jerusalem will play in the redemption of the world. May we soon see that day!

Where is ZION in the Bible?

Psalms 137:1, Isaiah 62:1

What did ZION do in the Bible?

What does the Bible say about ZION?