ZECHARIAH 1:14, 17 ZION

Q: In this passage Zechariah refers to Judah, Israel, Jerusalem and Zion. What (or who) specifically is Zion? How did this name originate?

Any good analytical concordance (I prefer Young's) will show that the word Zion (meaning “fortress” in Hebrew) is first used in the Bible during the time of David and his conquest of Jerusalem/Salem. The word refers to the southwest hill of Jerusalem, the older and higher part of the city which is often called the City of David.

“Zion” appears most often in the poetic portions of the Bible: the Psalms and the prophetic writings. In these settings it is employed as a poetic synonym for Jerusalem, the Temple, or the people and cities of Judah. A few examples will demonstrate this fact. Keep in mind that to understand Hebrew poetic couplets, in most cases the two lines will use different wording to state the same basic idea.

Zechariah 1:17 (incomplete parallelism)

The LORD will again comfort Zion,

and again choose Jerusalem.

Ps. 20:12 (incomplete parallelism)

May he send you help from the sanctuary,

and give you support from Zion.

Ps. 48:11 (identical parallelism)

Let Mount Zion be glad;

Let the towns of Judah rejoice.

Ps. 78:68 (inverted parallelism)

But he chose the tribe of Judah,

Mount Zion, which he loves.

Ps. 99:2 (identical parallelism)

The LORD is great in Zion,

He is exalted over all the people