Zion, << ZY uhn, >> is a word with many different meanings. It comes from the Hebrew word Tsiyon. Originally, it was the name of a hill in the city of Jerusalem. After the Israelites captured the city from the Jebusites, Zion became the place where the royal palace of King David stood and where Solomon later built the Temple. It was the seat of Jewish worship and government. The name Zion also refers to the Israelites themselves. After their exile from the Holy Land, the word Zion meant to them their homeland, with Jerusalem, the Temple, and all Palestine’s ancient glory. Among Christians, the name Zion means the church ruled by God, or a heavenly city or heavenly home. See also Zionism .
