What and Where Is Zion?

Zion originally referred to a hill in Jerusalem, where King David captured a Jebusite fortress and renamed it the City of David (2 Samuel 5:7). Over time, "Zion" came to symbolize not just this specific location but also Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, the Land of Israel, and even a spiritual ideal.

Zion was located on a southeastern hill in ancient Jerusalem, though today it refers to a hill south of the Old City, near landmarks like King David’s Tomb. In religious texts, Zion represents a place of holiness and divine promises. For Jews, the longing for Zion became especially important during the Babylonian Captivity, when they were exiled and longed to return to their homeland, making Zion a symbol of hope and redemption.

Trivia:

• In the song "Rivers of Babylon," inspired by Psalm 137, Zion symbolizes the Israelites' longing for their homeland during the Babylonian exile.
  
  
• In The Matrix, Zion is the last human city, representing hope and refuge in a dystopian world. Both interpretations reflect Zion's symbolic connection to freedom, restoration, and the fight against oppression.