What Does the Biblical Zion Mean to Us?

The meaning of the biblical name Zion may be vague in most people’s minds, but that’s not because they haven’t heard it. It continues to be used in church names and place names.

But the main place you hear about Zion today is in the news, where there are violent and impassioned feelings about Zionism. It’s in the news because of the bitter conflict over the land of the Middle East. In this world, Zionism has become a dangerous and divisive word.

But this article isn’t about Zionism or the political movements of this world, except to say that the true biblical hope for Zion is not a political or racial movement. The spiritual and eternal meaning of Zion gives real hope to all races and peoples.

What does the Bible say about Zion?

The first mention of Zion

The word Zion appears 160 times in the New King James Version.

The first mention shows it as synonymous with the City of David:

“Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David)” (2 Samuel 5:7).

David had grown up near Jerusalem in Bethlehem, so he had probably long wanted to fulfill what God had asked the tribe of Judah to do hundreds of years before—to drive out the pagan Jebusites.

In 2 Samuel 5:6-9 we learn that the Jebusites had taunted David. They felt secure in their stronghold, and they had hundreds of years of history in their favor—the Israelites hadn’t defeated them in all that time! They had the advantages of the high ground and strong fortifications. They also had a water shaft that gave them access to water even if they were under siege. But by climbing that water shaft, David’s men were able to take the city.

What does Zion mean?

What, specifically, was Zion, and what does the name mean? The New Bible Dictionary says:

“The Jebusite city . . . already bore the name ‘Zion’ (the meaning of which is uncertain, perhaps ‘dry area’ or ‘eminence’) at the time of David’s capture, after which it was also called ‘the city of David’ (cf. 2 Sa. 5:6-10; 1 Ki. 8:1). The name ‘Zion’ became, or remained, synonymous with Jerusalem as a whole” (p. 571).

It seems that the original meaning of the name is less important than what it came to stand for. So let’s look at what Zion should mean to Christians today.

God’s love for Zion

The Bible says in many places that Zion is important to God. It’s called His holy hill:

“Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion” (Psalm 2:6).

In Psalm 87:2-3 we see more about what God thinks of Zion:

“The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

“Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God!”

God loves the gates of Zion—where everyone comes in to worship at God’s festivals. It’s now more than the city of David—it’s the city of God!

Zion in prophecy

Bleak end-time prophecies describe the Great Tribulation and another captivity of descendants of the 12 tribes of Israel. But when Jesus Christ returns, He will bring all the tribes of Israel back to the Holy Land.

Zechariah 2:6-11 describes this great second exodus, as well as God’s plan for all nations:

“‘Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,’ says the LORD; ‘for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,’ says the LORD.

“‘Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.’

“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye . . .

“‘Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,’ says the LORD.”

Notice verse 11:

“Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you” (emphasis added).

God will bring the Israelites back to the Holy Land, but His plan is not just for the tribes of Israel. Many nations shall become God’s people!

Peace will spread through the teaching of God’s beneficial laws.

“Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).

Zion will play an important role in the Millennium as God’s capital and headquarters. Zion as a physical location is very important.

Zion as a spiritual reality

Zion also refers to a spiritual reality, the Church of God. Peter described the spiritual Zion in 1 Peter 2:4-6:

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

“Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’”

Jesus Christ is that cornerstone, and we are being built into a spiritual temple on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. The job of members of the Church is to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices now. Our obedience, our prayers, our example, our participation in the work of the Church—these all make the Church the beloved spiritual Zion now, and prepare us to be part of the spiritual Zion forever.

Hebrews 12:18-24 compares Mount Sinai, the site of the Old Covenant, with the blessing of coming to the spiritual Mount Zion, the Church and the New Covenant.

Here Mount Zion represents the heavenly New Jerusalem.

New Jerusalem: a city built by God

This is the city Abraham longed for as he and his family lived in tents, waiting “for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

And not only Abraham, but all those who have died in faith look for this wonderful eternal city.

Verse 16 says: “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

The New Jerusalem is part of the vision that inspired Abraham and the other men and women of faith. It can inspire and motivate us, and keep us going through the challenges and troubles of this age.

Consider a few passages about this eternal, spiritual Zion that God wants us to be a part of.

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4).

Verse 4 has long been one of my favorite verses—the longing of my heart for myself and for all who have experienced the pain and suffering that permeates this world. Someday suffering will no longer plague us! This is the essential starting point of a new era of real peace, joy and satisfaction!

Verse 7 adds, “‘He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.’”

From beginning to end, the Bible is all about family. Our loving Father wants us to be part of His family! So often in this world we feel alone. But God reassures us that we do belong—that we have a cherished place with Him forever as His beloved children!

Revelation 21 and 22 contain more descriptions of this mind-boggling city that we will call home. This eternal, spiritual Zion will fulfill the deepest hopes and dreams of all of humanity. Study more about it in our article “New Jerusalem.”