zion
zion — noun
1. the hill inside the walls of ancient Jerusalem where King David built his strong
the hill inside the walls of ancient Jerusalem where King David built his stronghold; in the Hebrew Bible and later writings, also used as a poetic name for the whole city of Jerusalem
Thousands of visitors climb the stone path up Mount Zion every spring.
Mount Zion — the full geographical name for the hill
The ancient fortress on Zion guarded the old city of Jerusalem for centuries.
Stefan read aloud from a psalm that praises the beauty of Zion.
Archaeologists uncovered a water tunnel beneath the hill of Zion last year.
Jewish and Christian pilgrims have walked the streets of Zion since ancient times.
- Jerusalem
refers to the whole city; Zion specifically means the ancient hill and fortress within it
用法筆記
Often capitalised. Appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, especially in the Psalms and the books of the prophets.
2. a term for the Jewish people as a nation, the religion of Judaism, or the ideal
a term for the Jewish people as a nation, the religion of Judaism, or the ideal of a Jewish national home — strongly associated with the land of Israel in both ancient and modern contexts
The old rabbi spoke about the dream of returning to Zion at dinner.
For two thousand years, Jewish communities around the world prayed for Zion.
pray for Zion — Zion as the Jewish homeland in religious language
Talia learned about the history of Zion from her grandmother in Haifa.
The poem described Zion as a safe home for the Jewish people everywhere.
Many modern songs of Zion are still sung in synagogues and Jewish schools.
- Israel
refers to the modern state or the biblical land; Zion carries stronger spiritual and national aspiration overtones
- the Promised Land
specifically the land promised by God in the Bible; Zion emphasises the people and the ideal more than the territory
用法筆記
Frequently capitalised. Central term in Jewish liturgy and in modern political discourse about Israel.
常見錯誤
3. in Christian belief, a name for heaven or the kingdom of God, especially as a pl
in Christian belief, a name for heaven or the kingdom of God, especially as a place where the faithful go after death; common in hymns, sermons, and older devotional writing
The choir practised a beautiful old hymn about the gates of Zion.
gates of Zion — a traditional image in Christian hymns for entering heaven
In Sunday school, the children sang about walking together toward Zion.
The elderly preacher spoke softly about meeting his wife again in Zion.
Many gospel songs use the word Zion to mean a heavenly home after death.
Reuben's grandfather read to him from a book of poems about reaching Zion.
- heaven
the general term for the afterlife in Christian belief; Zion is a more poetic, specifically biblical name
- the New Jerusalem
refers to the heavenly city described in the Book of Revelation; Zion is a broader, more lyrical term used across many hymns
用法筆記
Found mainly in Christian hymns, sermons, and older devotional writing. Less common in everyday modern Christian speech.