What is Zion in the Bible?

The name "Zion" can refer to many different locations in the Bible, both earthly and heavenly.

When reading the Bible, the word Zion appears many different times and can be refer to multiple locations, according to the context.

Mount Zion

The most common location of Zion is Mount Zion, the easternmost hill in ancient Jerusalem.

According to the Bible, there was also a fortification on Mount Zion that King David captured through one of his campaigns, “David nevertheless captured the fortress of Zion” (2 Samuel 5:7).

City of David

With this in mind, King David proceeded to call Mount Zion the “City of David.”

David took up residence in the fortress that he called the City of David. David built up the city on all sides, from the Millo toward the center.
2 Samuel 5:9

Dwelling of God

The Temple also became associated with Mount Zion, which n the Bible was referred to as God’s dwelling place.

Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me: we are signs and portents in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
Isaiah 8:18

Heavenly Jerusalem

Combining all of these connections, Christians began to associate Zion with the “Heavenly Jerusalem,” as the “Lamb of God” is seen on Mount Zion in the book of Revelation.

Then I looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
Revelation 14:1

Zion is a powerfully evocative word in the Bible. It helps us look backward as well as forward, to when we will all dwell on “Mount Zion” with the Lamb of God.