What the Name ‘Zion’ Means in the Bible: From Fortress to Symbol
The Geographical Origins: Zion as a Fortress The first biblical mention of Zion identifies it as a tangible, physical place. In the Second Book of Samuel, the narrative details King David’s conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites, an ancient Canaanite tribe. The text specifies, ‘David captured the fortress of Zion, which is the City of David’ (2 Samuel 5:7). Therefore, the original definition of Zion was purely geographical, referring to a specific fortified hill in the southeastern part of what is now Jerusalem. This location was a strategic military stronghold, chosen for its defensible position, surrounded by deep valleys. Its...
