Original Word: Ἰερουσαλήμ
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Ierousalém
Pronunciation: ee-er-oo-sal-ame'
Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-oo-sal-ame')
KJV: Jerusalem
NASB: Jerusalem
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin]

1. Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Israel

Jerusalem.

Of Hebrew origin (Yruwshalaim); Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine -- Jerusalem. Compare Hierosoluma.

see GREEK Hierosoluma

see HEBREW Yruwshalaim

2419 Hierousalḗm (a feminine noun, transliterating the OT term, 3389/Y^erúshalayim, apparently "the dwelling of peace"; see Gesenius, BDB, Zodhiates, Dictionary) – Jerusalem.

Word Origin
of Hebrew origin Yerushalaim
Definition
Jerusalem, the capital of united Isr. and Judah, also a future heavenly city
NASB Translation
Jerusalem (76).

STRONGS NT 2419: Ἱερουσαλήμ

Ἱερουσαλήμ, see Ἱεροσόλυμα.

Geographical and Historical Setting

Jerusalem, situated in the hill country of Judah and crowned by Mount Zion and Mount Moriah, functioned as the political and spiritual center of Israel from the time of David. By the first century it was a fortified city of roughly thirty‐five acres within the walls, swelling with pilgrims during the major feasts (Luke 2:41; Acts 2:5). Herod the Great’s temple platform dominated the skyline, providing the backdrop for nearly every New Testament occurrence of Ἰερουσαλήμ (Strong’s 2419).

Jerusalem in the Life and Ministry of Jesus

1. Fulfillment of Messianic Scripture. The prophets had foretold that Messiah would appear in Zion (Isaiah 52:7; Zechariah 9:9). Jesus’ deliberate journeys to Jerusalem climax in His triumphal entry (Luke 19:28–44) and His atoning death and resurrection (Luke 9:31; 18:31; 24:46).
2. Seat of Opposition. Jerusalem’s religious establishment resisted Jesus (Luke 5:17; 19:47). His lament underscores both His compassion and the city’s culpability: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together… but you were unwilling!” (Matthew 23:37).
3. Center for Post-Resurrection Witness. Jesus ordered His disciples to remain in the city “until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

Jerusalem in Acts: Birthplace of the Church

1. Pentecost and the Holy Spirit. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem…” (Acts 1:8). The first sermon (Acts 2), the first converts (Acts 2:41), the first healings (Acts 3), and the first persecution (Acts 4–5) all unfold in Jerusalem.
2. Apostolic Council. The question of Gentile inclusion was decided by the united apostles and elders in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1–35), making the city the arbiter of doctrinal unity in the fledgling church.
3. Launchpad for Mission. From Jerusalem the gospel fanned out to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth, yet the mother church remained a hub for relief (Acts 11:27–30) and accountability (Acts 21:17–19).

Jerusalem in the Pauline Epistles

1. Ministry Strategy. Paul’s circuit (Romans 15:19) stretched “from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyricum,” marking the city as both origin and benchmark of his evangelistic labors.
2. Relief Offering. Multiple letters reference a collection “for the saints in Jerusalem” (Romans 15:25–27; 1 Corinthians 16:3; 2 Corinthians 8–9). Paul viewed this gift as tangible gratitude from Gentiles whose spiritual riches stemmed from the Jewish believers.
3. Dual Allegory. Galatians 4 contrasts “present Jerusalem,” captive under the law (Galatians 4:25), with “Jerusalem above,” free and maternal to believers (Galatians 4:26).

Jerusalem as Symbol and Type

1. Earthly Zion. The historical city embodies covenant privilege, prophetic witness, and human rebellion.
2. Heavenly Reality. Hebrews 12:22 locates believers already at “Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem.” Revelation 3:12 promises overcomers “the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem,” and John sees that city descending in glorified splendor (Revelation 21:2, 10).
3. Eschatological Convergence. Scripture anticipates a yet-future restoration when earthly and heavenly Jerusalems converge under the reign of Christ (Isaiah 2:2–4; Zechariah 14).

Jerusalem’s Enduring Ministry Significance

• Anchor of Redemptive History: Birthplace of the church and locus of the cross and resurrection.
• Template for Worship: The temple’s sacrificial system prefigured Christ’s once-for-all offering (Hebrews 10:12).
• Measure of Faithfulness: Repeated New Testament calls to endure persecution mirror the hostility Jesus faced in Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:12–14).
• Vision of Hope: The new Jerusalem assures believers that God’s purposes culminate in a restored creation where “the dwelling of God is with men” (Revelation 21:3).

Practical and Devotional Implications

1. Gathered Worship. Just as ancient pilgrims ascended for the feasts, believers assemble to celebrate fulfilled redemption.
2. Missionary Mandate. From one city the gospel radiated outward; every local church may replicate this centrifugal pattern.
3. Persevering Prayer. Psalm 122:6’s call to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” remains relevant, encompassing both the present city’s welfare and the ultimate peace that comes only through Messiah.

Jerusalem thus stands in the New Testament as a nexus of promise and fulfillment, judgment and grace, history and hope—calling every reader to behold the Lamb who was slain there and to anticipate the city whose builder and architect is God.

Ιερουσαλημ Ἰερουσαλήμ Ἰερουσαλὴμ Ierousalem Ierousalēm Ierousalḗm IerousalḕmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts