צִיּוֹן

“Zion” in Hebrew is Tziyon (צִיּוֹן), pronounced “tsi-YON.” The origin of Tziyon is debated. It may come from a root meaning 'to mark' or 'monument,' suggesting Zion is a divinely marked place. Others connect it to 'tsiyah' (dryness), describing the arid terrain. Some see a root meaning 'to defend/protect,' making Zion 'the fortified place.'

Tziyon (צִיּוֹן) means “Zion, the holy mountain, God's dwelling” in Biblical Hebrew. Tziyon appears 154 times in the Hebrew Bible. It begins as David's captured fortress (2 Samuel 5:7), becomes the Temple Mount, expands to represent all of Jerusalem, and ultimately symbolizes God's eternal dwelling with His people (Isaiah 2:3, Revelation 14:1).

Tziyon is pronounced “tsi-YON.” The word comes from the Hebrew root צ-י-ן.

Originally, Zion was a specific hill — the Jebusite fortress David captured (2 Samuel 5:7). Over time, 'Zion' expanded to include the Temple Mount, then all of Jerusalem, then the entire Promised Land, and finally the heavenly city. Jerusalem is the earthly city; Zion is its theological and prophetic identity — what Jerusalem is meant to be when God's glory fully dwells there.

Psalm 132:13-14 declares God chose Zion 'for His dwelling place.' Unlike other ancient Near Eastern deities who were tied to locations by nature, Israel's God chose freely — and He chose a small hill in a contested land. This choice demonstrates that God's presence is not bound by geography but by covenant love. He chose Zion because He chose Israel.

Hebrews 12:22 says believers have come to 'Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.' This heavenly Tziyon is the ultimate reality that earthly Zion foreshadowed — the place where God and redeemed humanity dwell together in unbroken fellowship. Revelation 21:2 describes it as the 'new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.'