Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosoluma)
Hierosoluma
Jerusalem
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 64 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The neuter plural form hierosoluma refers to Jerusalem, the capital city of Palestine and a central setting in the Gospels and Acts. It appears most frequently in Luke’s writings and the synoptic gospels, such as when Jesus predicts his death in Matthew 20:18 or when crowds gather from all over Judea in Matthew 3:5.
This spelling contrasts with the feminine indeclinable form hierousalēm, which Paul and Hebrews prefer. The distinction is not merely stylistic; it reflects different transliteration traditions for the Hebrew name Yerushalayim. While both forms denote the physical city or its inhabitants, hierosoluma often carries a narrative weight in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ final week.
The word also extends beyond geography into theology. Paul contrasts the "Jerusalem that is now" with the "Jerusalem above" in Galatians 4:26 to illustrate the freedom of the covenant of promise. Similarly, Hebrews and Revelation speak of a heavenly or new Jerusalem, pointing to a spiritual reality rather than just a location on earth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Jerusalem stands as more than a coordinate on an ancient map; it is the stage where God’s redemptive story reaches its climax. When Jesus set His face toward this city, He moved with purposeful resolve toward the cross. This journey reminds us that faith often requires moving toward difficult truths rather than away from them.
The city holds a dual significance for believers today. It represents the historical reality of Christ’s sacrifice, yet also points to a spiritual home beyond our current struggles. Christians have long understood this duality, seeing the earthly Jerusalem as a shadow of the heavenly reality where peace and justice are fully realized.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 64 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jerusalem43×
- Jerusalem.10×
- Jerusalem,6×
- Jerusalem;4×
- in Jerusalem1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἱεροσόλυμα23×
- Ἱεροσολύμων10×
- Ἱεροσολύμοις10×
- Ἱεροσόλυμα,6×
- Ἱεροσόλυμα.5×
- Ἱεροσόλυμα.¶3×
- Ἱεροσόλυμα·2×
- Ἱεροσολύμοις·2×
- Ἱεροσολύμων.1×
- Ἱεροσολύμοις.¶1×
- Ἱεροσολύμοις,1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 20:17
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
Jesus takes the initiative to explain His impending suffering to the disciples as they approach the city, highlighting Jerusalem as the destination of His sacrificial mission.
-
Matthew 20:18
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death,
This verse explicitly links the journey to Jerusalem with the specific details of Jesus' betrayal and death, anchoring the city's identity in the work of redemption.
-
Mark 10:32
They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him.
The reaction of the disciples—amazement and fear—underscores the gravity of entering Jerusalem at this time, showing that the path to glory involves suffering.
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Luke 19:28
Having said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Jesus goes ahead of His followers, demonstrating leadership and determination as He moves toward the events that would define the Christian faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hierosoluma mean in the New Testament?
Why is Jerusalem important in the Gospels?
Is there a difference between Hierosoluma and Jerusalem in Greek?
Every Occurrence (64 verses across 6 books)
Matthew 11 verses
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to…
Matthew 2:3When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 3:5Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.
Matthew 4:25Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Matthew 5:35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Matthew 15:1Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 16:21From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders,…
Matthew 20:17As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,
Matthew 20:18“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they…
Matthew 21:1When they came near to Jerusalem and came to Bethsphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,
Matthew 21:10When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”