Greek word · G4622

Σιών

siōn

Zion

Originally the fortified hill David captured. Then the temple mount, Jerusalem as a whole, the people of Jerusalem, and, in later Jewish and Christian writing, the heavenly city where God dwells.

Appears 7 times in 7 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 24, 2026

What it means

Σιών

indecl.,

in NT anarth., but in LXX when used of the city of Jerusalem, ἡ Σ.

(Heb. צִיּוֹן),

Zion;

1. the mountain: in typical sense, of the Church, Hebrews 12:22; of heaven, Revelation 14:1.

2. The city, i.e. Jerusalem; in poetical sense;

(a) of the inhabitants: θυγάτηρ Σ, Matthew 21:5, John 12:15" (LXX) ;

(b) in wider sense, of Israel: Romans 11:26;

(with) figuratively: τίθήμι ἐν Σ λίθον, Romans 9:33, 1 Peter 2:6" (LXX) .†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Romans 11:26

Range of meaning: Originally the fortified hill David captured. Then the temple mount, Jerusalem as a whole, the people of Jerusalem, and, in later Jewish and Christian writing, the heavenly city where God dwells.
Against the English: Some modern versions turn it into plain 'Jerusalem'. That loses the word's biblical associations and its possible heavenly sense.
Used elsewhere in the period: Isa 2:3 / Mic 4:2 ('out of Zion shall go forth the law'). Ps 14:7 / 53:6 ('Oh that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!'). For the heavenly Jerusalem, Gal 4:26 ('the Jerusalem above') and Heb 12:22 ('Mount Zion... the heavenly Jerusalem'). Paul has already used Zion in Rom 9:33 ('I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling').

From the study of Hebrews 12:22

Range of meaning: Originally the fortress David captured (2 Sam 5:7). Then the temple hill, and by extension Jerusalem and its people. In the Psalms and Prophets it is God's chosen dwelling and throne (Ps 2:6; 48:1–2; 132:13–14), the goal of pilgrimage, and the mountain where in the last days God gathers the nations and reigns (Isa 2:2–3; 24:23; Joel 2:32; Mic 4:1–2).
Against the English: English readers may think of the modern 'Mount Zion' (the southwestern hill of today's Jerusalem, a later Byzantine-era identification) or of modern political Zionism. In biblical use Zion is the temple mount and City of David, and above all a theological symbol of God's presence and kingship.
How it drifted: The name moved to a different hill in later centuries, and the modern political movement took it as its name. Neither is in view here.
Used elsewhere in the period: Ps 48; 87; 125; Isa 60:14 ('the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel'). In Second Temple apocalyptic writings Zion is revealed in glory at the end (4 Ezra 13:35–36, 'Zion will come and be made manifest to all people, prepared and built'). See also Rev 14:1 (the Lamb standing on Mount Zion).

From the study of Revelation 14:1

Range of meaning: Originally the fortified ridge David captured (2 Samuel 5:7). It came to stand for the temple mount, for Jerusalem, and for God's people as the city where God reigns. In the prophets it is the place of end-time gathering and rescue.
Against the English: English "Mount Zion" carries the original word straight over. Modern readers may hear only a vague "heaven", or think of modern political Zionism. Neither captures the royal and messianic weight of the name.
How it drifted: In later hymns, "Zion" became a general poetic word for heaven or the church. Since the 19th century the word has also had modern political meanings. Both are later layers.
Used elsewhere in the period: Psalm 2:6: "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill." Joel 2:32 (3:5 LXX): "on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape... among the survivors whom the LORD calls." Isaiah 24:23 and Micah 4:7 speak of the LORD reigning on Mount Zion. In 4 Ezra 13:35–40, a Jewish apocalypse from about the same time as Revelation, the Messiah "will stand on the summit of Mount Zion", defeats the gathered nations and collects a peaceful multitude, including the lost tribes. Hebrews 12:22 speaks of "Mount Zion... the heavenly Jerusalem".

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

Matthew 21:5 Σιών· of Zion;

“Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Here: Zion is the temple hill of Jerusalem, and the name stands for the city and its people as God's chosen dwelling. Greek does not decline the name. 'Of Zion' here means 'who is Zion'.

John · 1

John 12:15 Σιών· of Zion;

“Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.”

Here: Originally David's hill fortress, later the Temple mount, and by the prophets' time a poetic name for Jerusalem and its people as God's chosen city.

Romans · 2

Romans 9:33 Σιὼν Zion

as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

Here: The temple hill of Jerusalem, and by extension Jerusalem and Israel as the place where God lives. In Isaiah 28 the stone is a foundation stone for God's own building there.
Romans 11:26 Σιὼν Zion

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob.

Here: Jerusalem's temple hill, and by extension the city, God's dwelling, and his people. Whether Paul means earthly Jerusalem or the heavenly Jerusalem is debated.

Hebrews · 1

Hebrews 12:22 Σιὼν Zion

Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels

Here: The hill of Jerusalem where God was enthroned in the temple. In the Psalms and Prophets it is the place where God lives and where the nations will stream. Here it is the opposite of Sinai.

1 Peter · 1

1 Peter 2:6 Σιὼν Zion

For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

Here: The temple hill of Jerusalem, and by extension the city as the place where God lives among his people. In Peter's argument it is where God founds his new 'spiritual house' (v. 5).

Revelation · 1

Revelation 14:1 Σιὼν Zion

Then I looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

Here: The hill of Jerusalem where God's king is installed (Psalm 2:6) and where the rescued remnant gathers (Joel 2:32). It appears only here in Revelation.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.