Jerusalem — Meaning in the Bible
The city David made his capital, where the temple stood. Jesus was crucified and rose there, and the church began there at Pentecost.
What it means
David captured the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites and made Jerusalem his royal city. Solomon built the temple there. 2 Samuel 5:6–102 Chronicles 3:1
The Babylonians destroyed it; Nehemiah rebuilt its walls. Jesus wept over it, was crucified outside it and rose again; the Spirit came at Pentecost there. 2 Kings 25:8–10Nehemiah 2:17–18Luke 19:41–44Acts 2:1–5
Key passages
- 2 Samuel 5:6–10 — David takes Jerusalem.
- Psalm 122 — A pilgrim song for Jerusalem.
- Nehemiah 2:11–18 — Rebuilding the walls.
- Luke 19:41–44 — Jesus weeps over the city.
- Revelation 21:1–2 — The new Jerusalem.
Original language
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם ye.ru.sha.laim
Hebrew · Strong’s H3389 · gloss: “Jerusalem”
The Hebrew name of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:2
A Strong’s number is a reference identifier, not a complete definition: what a word means in a passage depends on its context. Lexical data: STEPBible.org, based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
For children
Jerusalem is the city where King David lived and where the temple was. Nehemiah helped rebuild its walls. 2 Samuel 5:7Nehemiah 2:17
Study further
- Psalm 122 Pray for Jerusalem's peace.
- Nehemiah 1–6 Rebuilding.
- Luke 19:28–48 Jesus enters Jerusalem.