Original Word: צִיּוֹן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Tsiyown
Pronunciation: tsee-YONE
Phonetic Spelling: (tsee-yone')
KJV: Zion
NASB: Zion, Zion's
Word Origin: [the same (regularly) as H6725 (צִּיוּן - marker)]

1. Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem

Zion

The same (regularly) as tsiyuwn; Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem -- Zion.

see HEBREW tsiyuwn

Word Origin
from the same as tsiyyah
Definition
a mountain in Jer., also a name for Jer.
NASB Translation
Zion (153), Zion's (1).

צִיּוֺן₁₅₄ proper name, of a location Σ(ε)ιων; ‚îyyôn, Zion (Syriac , older form, according to Lag^{Bn 84}, compare 198); — ׳צ 2 Samuel 5:7 +; צִיּוֺ֫נָה Jeremiah 4:6; — stronghold (of Jebusiteas), ׳מְצֻדַת צ captured by David, and made his residence 2 Samuel 5:7 = 1 Chronicles 11:5 (both + הִיא עִיר דָּוִד), on southern part of east hill of Jerusalem, distinct from site of temple 1 Kings 8:1 2Chronicles 5:2 (both ׳הִיא צ ׳מֵעִיר ד), not elsewhere in narrative, but often in poets and prophets: as name of Jerusalem, from political point of view (sometimes = inhabitants), Amos 6:7 ("" הַרשֹֿׁמְרוֺן), "" יְרוּשָׁלַםִ Micah 3:10,12 = Jeremiah 26:18; Isaiah 4:3; Isaiah 30:19; Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 41:27; Isaiah 52:1; Isaiah 62:1; Isaiah 64:9; Zephaniah 3:16; Zechariah 1:14,17; Psalm 51:20 and (׳בַּתצֿ) Isaiah 52:2; Micah 4:8 ("" ׳בַּתיְֿרוּשׁ ), Lamentations 2:13 ("" id.), also (׳יוֺשֶׁבֶת צ) Jeremiah 51:35; = Jerusalem also Isaiah 14:32; Isaiah 33:5+, so especially in phrase ׳בְּנוֺת צ Isaiah 3:16,17; Isaiah 4:4; Songs 3:11, ׳בְּנֵי צ Lamentations 4:2; Joel 2:23; Psalm 149:2 ("" יִשְׂרָזֵל ), cf . Zechariah 9:13, אֶתבָּֿנֶיהָ ׳יָלְדָה צ Isaiah 66:8, and even ׳הַרצֿ 2 Kings 19:31 = Isaiah 37:32 (both "" ׳יְרוּשׁ ), Isaiah 29:8 ("" אַרִיאֵל Isaiah 29:7), Obadiah 17,21; Psalm 48:12 ("" יְהוֺדָה בְּנוֺת Psalm 125:1; so also ׳הַרבַּֿת צ Isaiah 16:1; and Isaiah 10:32 Qr (Kt ׃ בית "" ׳נִּבְעַתיְֿרוּשׁ); compare ׳מְרוֺםצֿ Jeremiah 31:12; in following ׳הַרצֿ might refer to temple-hill Isaiah 10:12 (+׳יְרוּשׁ), Isaiah 31:4 (+נִּבְעָתָהּ = ׳יְרוּשׁ Isaiah 31:5), Lamentations 5:18; Joel 3:5 (+ ׳יְרוּשׁ ); specifically of Jerusalem as abode of ׳י and place of his worship Amos 1:2; Isaiah 31:9; Zechariah 8:3; Micah 4:2 = Isaiah 2:3, Joel 4:16; Psalm 102:22; Psalm 135:21; Psalm 147:12 (all "" ׳יְרוּשׁ), Psalm 76:8 ("" שָׁלֵם); particular of sanctuary Psalm 20:3 ("" קֹדֶשׁ), Psalm 14:7 = Psalm 53:7+; of Jerusalem ׳הַרצֿ Psalm 48:3 ("" רָב֑ קִרְיַת מֶלֶח), Psalm 78:68 ("" שֵׁבֶט יְהוּדָה), Isaiah 24:23 ("" ׳יְרוּשׁ), etc.; ׳הַרֲרֵי צ in same sence Psalm 133:3; particularly of sanctuary Isaiah 4:5 and ("" הַרקָֿדְשִׁי) Joel 2:1; Joel 4:17; הַרֿ ׳קָדְשִׁי צ Psalm 2:6 is seat of king. — See also ׳בַּתצֿ, ׳הַהרצֿ, ׳ישֶׁבֶת צ, below בַּת,הַר, יָשַׁב .

צָיוֺן see ציה. צִיּוּן see צוה above.

Geographical and Historical Overview

צִיּוֹן (Zion) first appears as a Jebusite stronghold on the southeastern ridge of Jerusalem. David captured it and “named it the City of David” (2 Samuel 5:7). In time the name expanded to include the temple mount (Mount Moriah), then the whole city of Jerusalem, and finally the covenant people and their eschatological hope.

Davidic Royal Capital

• Zion became the seat of the Davidic monarchy. “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain” (Psalm 2:6).
• The royal palace, administrative center, and later Solomon’s temple anchored Israel’s national identity to this hill.
• The inviolability of Zion is repeatedly tied to the LORD’s covenant with David (Psalm 132:11-18; 2 Samuel 7).

Zion as the Temple Mount and Center of Worship

• After Solomon built the temple, Zion was synonymous with the divine dwelling: “For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home” (Psalm 132:13).
• Annual pilgrimage feasts drew Israel to “appear before God in Zion” (Psalm 84:7).
• Priestly service, sacrificial atonement, and Levitical song positioned Zion as the nation’s liturgical heart (2 Chronicles 5:2; Psalm 76:2).

Zion as a Metaphor for the Covenant Community

• Prophets personify Zion as “daughter Zion” (Isaiah 1:8), picturing the city as mother of the faithful remnant.
• The term thus comes to signify the people rather than the place: “Sing, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel” (Zephaniah 3:14).
• Zion’s fortunes rise or fall with the spiritual condition of her inhabitants (Micah 3:10-12).

Prophetic Zion: Judgment and Restoration

Judgment
• Because of idolatry and injustice, Zion would be plowed like a field (Micah 3:12); Jeremiah weeps that she sits desolate (Lamentations 1:4, 4:1-2).

Restoration
• Yet the same prophets promise renewal: “The LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her ruins” (Isaiah 51:3).
• Nations stream to a restored Zion to learn Torah and seek peace (Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-3).
• Post-exilic returns fulfill this pledge in part (Psalm 126; Zechariah 8:3-8), while ultimate fulfillment awaits the Messianic age.

Messianic Zion

• Zion is the stage for Messiah’s advent (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5 cites this).
• The suffering Servant is rejected in Zion yet later vindicated (Isaiah 53; Psalm 118:22-26).
• Messianic reign is depicted as universal: “The LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever” (Micah 4:7).

Zion in the Psalms and Songs of Ascent

• Psalms 46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 122, and 132 celebrate Zion’s security, beauty, and divine presence.
• The Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) climax with pilgrims blessing the LORD in Zion (Psalm 134:3).

Zion and the Nations

• Zion is both refuge and rally point: “From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth” (Psalm 50:2).
• Gentiles recognize Israel’s God in Zion (Isaiah 60:14-16; Zechariah 2:10-11).
• Zion carries missionary overtones as salvation radiates from Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:11).

Theological Themes

Presence of God: Zion epitomizes Immanuel—“God with us.”

Kingship and Kingdom: Heavenly authority intersects earthly governance on Zion’s hill.

Holiness and Salvation: From Zion the LORD decrees forgiveness and deliverance (Psalm 14:7; Joel 2:32).

Joy and Praise: Zion is the birthplace of songs, thanksgiving, and eschatological joy (Isaiah 35:10).

Ministry Application

• Worship: Christian gatherings echo Zion’s liturgy by centering on God’s enthronement and covenant promises.
• Intercession: Believers “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6), seeking the city’s welfare as part of God’s redemptive plan.
• Hope: Zion’s restoration under Messiah fortifies faith amid suffering, modeling perseverance (Psalm 125:1-2).
• Mission: As grace flows from Zion to the ends of the earth, the church proclaims “salvation comes from Zion” (Psalm 14:7).

Select References by Category

Foundational: 2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1; Psalm 2:6; Psalm 48:1-2

Judgment: Isaiah 3:16-26; Lamentations 2:15; Micah 3:12

Restoration: Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 52:7-9; Joel 3:17; Zechariah 8:3

Messianic: Psalm 2; Psalm 110; Isaiah 9:6-7; Zechariah 9:9-10

Worship: Psalm 84; Psalm 122; Psalm 134

Mission to Nations: Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 2:10-11

בְּ֭צִיּוֹן בְּצִיּ֑וֹן בְּצִיּ֔וֹן בְּצִיּ֖וֹן בְּצִיּ֗וֹן בְּצִיּ֣וֹן בְּצִיּ֥וֹן בְּצִיּֽוֹן׃ בְּצִיּוֹן֙ בְצִיּ֔וֹן בְצִיּ֖וֹן בְצִיּֽוֹן׃ בְצִיּוֹן֙ בציון בציון׃ וּ֝מִצִּיּ֗וֹן וּֽלֲצִיּ֨וֹן ׀ וּלְצִיּ֖וֹן ולציון ומציון לְצִיּ֖וֹן לְצִיּוֹן֙ לציון מִצִּ֫יּ֥וֹן מִצִּיּ֑וֹן מִצִּיּ֖וֹן מִצִּיּ֗וֹן מִצִּיּ֣וֹן מִצִּיּ֥וֹן מִצִּיּוֹן֙ מִצִּיּוֹן֮ מציון צִ֝יּ֗וֹן צִ֠יּוֹן צִ֫יּ֥וֹן צִ֭יּוֹן צִיּ֑וֹן צִיּ֔וֹן צִיּ֔וֹנָה צִיּ֖וֹן צִיּ֗וֹן צִיּ֛וֹן צִיּ֜וֹן צִיּ֞וֹן צִיּ֣וֹן צִיּ֥וֹן צִיּ֨וֹן צִיּֽוֹן׃ צִיּוֹן֒ צִיּוֹן֙ ציון ציון׃ ציונה bə·ṣî·yō·wn ḇə·ṣî·yō·wn bəṣîyōwn ḇəṣîyōwn betziYon lə·ṣî·yō·wn ləṣîyōwn letziYon miṣ·ṣî·yō·wn miṣṣîyōwn mitztziyOn ṣî·yō·w·nāh ṣî·yō·wn ṣîyōwn ṣîyōwnāh tziYon tziYonah ū·lă·ṣî·yō·wn ū·lə·ṣî·yō·wn ū·miṣ·ṣî·yō·wn ūlăṣîyōwn ulatziYon ūləṣîyōwn uletziYon ūmiṣṣîyōwn umitztziYon vetziYonInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts