יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם (ye.ru.sha.lem)

ye.ru.sha.lem

Jerusalem

H3390 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 24 verses

N:N--L

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 24 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N--L

Word Overview

The word yerushalem is the Aramaic form of the name Jerusalem, appearing primarily in the books of Ezra and Daniel where it refers to the capital city of Judah. The sources define its meaning as "teaching of peace," identifying it as the chief city of Palestine during the periods described in these texts.

Its usage is concentrated in historical narratives concerning the restoration of the temple and the return from exile. For example, Ezra 4:12 mentions enemies reporting that rebuilders are working in Jerusalem, while Daniel 5:3 describes Belshazzar drinking from vessels brought from the temple there. These references anchor the city as the central location for Jewish religious life in the post-exilic era.

Although it shares an etymological root with the Hebrew yerushalayim (H3389), this Aramaic spelling reflects the linguistic context of the surrounding empires. Translators consistently render it simply as "Jerusalem," preserving the proper noun without attempting to translate the underlying meaning in the narrative flow.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Jerusalem carries a quiet weight in Scripture, often standing as the center of God’s presence among His people. In the books of Ezra and Daniel, this Aramaic form of the city’s name anchors the story of restoration after exile. It reminds us that even when nations rise and fall, the place where worship is offered remains significant. The return to rebuild the temple was not just about bricks and mortar; it was a return to the heart of their covenant relationship with God.

For believers today, Jerusalem points to the enduring nature of God’s promises. When enemies tried to stop the work, or when kings issued decrees, the focus remained on restoring what had been lost. This history encourages us that our spiritual foundations, too, are held secure by God. Whether in times of peace or political tension, the call to honor God in community and worship remains constant.

We can find comfort in knowing that God’s name dwells in His house. The prayers offered there were heard, and the sacrifices made were accepted. This continuity from the ancient past to our present faith shows that God is faithful to His word. We are invited to trust in His enduring presence, just as those who rebuilt Jerusalem did.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.

[is] in/ Jerusalem10×
[was] in/ Jerusalem4×
to/ Jerusalem3×
Jerusalem3×
in/ Jerusalem2×
and/ to/ Jerusalem1×
and/ in/ Jerusalem1×
[are] in/ Jerusalem1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

בִ/ירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם5×
בִּ/ירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם2×
בִ/ירוּשְׁלֶֽם\׃2×
בִ/ירֽוּשְׁלֶם֙2×
בִ/ירֽוּשְׁלֶ֑ם2×
לִֽ/ירוּשְׁלֶ֛ם1×
לִ/ירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם1×
לִ/ירֽוּשְׁלֶם֙1×
יְרוּשְׁלֶֽם\׃1×
יְרוּשְׁלֶ֑ם1×
יְר֣וּשְׁלֶ֔ם1×
וּ/בִ/ירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם1×

Key Verses

Ezra 4:12
Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and bad city, and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.

This verse highlights the political tension surrounding the city, showing how rebuilding Jerusalem was seen as a threat by foreign powers.
Ezra 6:12
May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter this, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree. Let it be done with all diligence.

Here the word underscores God’s sovereignty, as King Darius decrees that no one may alter the house of God in Jerusalem.
Daniel 5:3
Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of God’s house which was at Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives and his concubines, drank from them.

The use of this form in Daniel connects the city to the holy vessels, emphasizing its role as the source of sacred objects even during exile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this spelling different from Jerusalem in other books?

This Aramaic form appears primarily in Ezra and Daniel because these books contain official correspondence and narratives written in or about the imperial language of the time. The Hebrew Bible often uses the Hebrew form Yerushalayim (H3389) in historical and poetic books, while this Aramaic version reflects the linguistic context of the Persian empire.

What does the name Jerusalem mean?

The name is traditionally understood to mean 'foundation of peace' or 'teaching of peace.' While the text itself treats it as a proper noun, the etymology points to the city’s role as a place where God’s people seek His presence and experience His shalom.

How is this word used in Daniel?

In Daniel 5, the word appears when describing the golden vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem. It serves to identify the origin of these sacred items, linking the current Babylonian court to the destroyed temple in Judah and highlighting the contrast between pagan indulgence and holy reverence.

Every Occurrence (24 verses across 2 books)

Ezra 22 verses

Ezra 4:8

Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows.

Ezra 4:12

Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the…

Ezra 4:20

There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute,…

Ezra 4:23

Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they…

Ezra 4:24

Then work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of…

Ezra 5:1

Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and…

Ezra 5:2

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at…

Ezra 5:14

The gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and…

Ezra 5:15

He said to him, ‘Take these vessels, go, put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let God’s house be built in…

Ezra 5:16

Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even…

Ezra 5:17

Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at…

Ezra 6:3

In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house…

Ezra 6:5

Also let the gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which is at Jerusalem…

Ezra 6:9

That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also…

Ezra 6:12

May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter…

Ezra 6:18

They set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem,…

Ezra 7:13

I make a decree that all those of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my realm, who intend of…

Ezra 7:14

Because you are sent by the king and his seven counselors to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the…

Ezra 7:15

and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose…

Ezra 7:16

and all the silver and gold that you will find in all the province of Babylon, with the free will offering of the…

Ezra 7:17

Therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs with their meal offerings and their…

Ezra 7:19

The vessels that are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.

Daniel 2 verses