צִיּוֹן (tsiy.yon)
tsiy.yon
Zion
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 131 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun tsiyyon refers to Zion, originally designating the specific southern hill of Jerusalem where the Jebusite fortress stood before David captured it. The lexicons suggest a meaning related to a "parched place" or a "sunny mountain," reflecting its dry, elevated terrain. This physical location became the site of the City of David and later housed the temple mount, making it the geographical heart of the city.
In Scripture, however, the word rarely stays merely geographic. It functions as a powerful metonym for Jerusalem itself, its people, and God’s dwelling presence. Prophets frequently address the "daughter of Zion" or speak of the inhabitants of Zion to personify the nation. For instance, Isaiah uses the term to describe both the pride of Jerusalem’s women (Isaiah 3:16) and the future hope of its restoration (Isaiah 62:11).
The word appears most often in the Psalms and prophetic books, carrying heavy theological weight. It represents the place God chose to put His name, serving as the focal point for worship and divine kingship. When Psalm 2 declares that God has installed His king on Zion, it establishes the hill not just as a landmark, but as the throne from which heavenly authority is exercised over the earth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Zion begins as a physical hill in Jerusalem, yet it quickly becomes much more than stone and soil. When David captured this stronghold, he established his city there, and later Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant to its temple mount. This location became the focal point where heaven met earth, marking the place God chose to dwell among His people. It is not just a landmark on a map but the center of worship and divine presence.
For believers today, this concept invites us to see our faith as rooted in something unshakeable. The Psalms describe those who trust in Yahweh as being like Mount Zion: firm, stable, and enduring forever. When life feels chaotic or unstable, we can look to this image of steadfastness. It reminds us that our hope is anchored in God’s chosen place of blessing, not in the shifting circumstances around us.
This ancient word carries a promise of restoration and joy. Even when the people were scattered, Zion remained the symbol of their return and renewal. We can find comfort in knowing that God’s presence is not confined to a single geographic spot but is available to all who seek Him with sincere hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 131 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zion85×
- in/ Zion17×
- from/ Zion8×
- O Zion5×
- to/ Zion4×
- [is] Zion3×
- <in>/ Zion2×
- on/ Zion1×
- for/ Zion1×
- and/ of/ Zion1×
- and/ for/ Zion1×
- [will be] from/ Zion1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צִיּ֔וֹן24×
- צִיּ֖וֹן15×
- צִיּֽוֹן\׃12×
- צִיּ֑וֹן10×
- צִיּוֹן֙6×
- צִיּ֗וֹן6×
- צִיּֽוֹן\׃\ \ס4×
- צִ֝יּ֗וֹן4×
- לְ/צִיּ֖וֹן4×
- בְּ/צִיּ֔וֹן4×
- צִיּ֜וֹן3×
- בְּ/צִיּ֗וֹן3×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 125:1
A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in Yahweh are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever.
This verse uses Zion as a metaphor for the spiritual stability of those who trust in Yahweh, emphasizing that their faith remains firm like the mountain.
-
II Samuel 5:7
Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city.
This historical record marks the moment David took the stronghold, establishing Zion as the political and religious center known as David’s city.
-
Psalms 132:13
For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his habitation.
Here the text explicitly states that Yahweh has chosen Zion specifically for His habitation, highlighting it as the place of divine dwelling.
-
Psalms 2:6
“Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion.”
This verse declares God’s installation of His King on Zion, establishing the hill as the throne from which heavenly authority is exercised.