Zion: is a word we hear frequently, a word that has evolved since first used in the Bible, where it referred specifically to the stronghold of the Jebusites in Jerusalem. Zion was captured by David’s army and then he made his residence there. 2 Sam. 5:7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David. The second appearance of Zion is in 1 Ki. 8.1. Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, so they could bring up the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD* from the city of David, which is Zion. From the beginning the term was applied to the area of the stronghold, the southern part of the eastern hill south of the Temple Mount. Zion is used well over one hundred times in Scripture, later increasing in meaning so that in Bible times it was used to refer to all Jerusalem, and even to all Israel, especially in poetic books of the prophets, Psalms, and Lamentations. Is. 34:8. For it is the Day of the LORD’s* vengeance, the year of pay back for the cause of Zion, here speaking of all Israel. In modern times Zion often refers to all Israel and Zionists to those who promote the return of the Jewish people to Israel. Others sometimes use the term “Zionists” to include all Jewish people. Christians who are strong in support of Israel are sometimes referred to as “Christian Zionists.”

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