Lexical Summary
Yerushalaim or Yerushalayim: Jerusalem, Jerusalem's
Original Word:יְרוּשָׁלַם
Part of Speech:proper name, of a location
Transliteration:Yruwshalaim
Pronunciation:yeh-roo-shah-LAH-yeem
Phonetic Spelling:(yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im)
KJV: Jerusalem
NASB:Jerusalem, Jerusalem's
Word Origin:[a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that ofH339 (אִי - coastlands)0)); probably from (the passive participle of)H3384 (יָרָה יָרָא - teach) andH7999 (שָׁלַם - To be complete)]
1. founded peaceful
2. Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Israel
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Jerusalem
Rarely Yruwshalayim {yer-oo- shaw-lah'-yim}; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that ofYruwshalem)); probably from (the passive participle of)yarah andshalam; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine -- Jerusalem.
see HEBREWYruwshalem
see HEBREWyarah
see HEBREWshalam
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
yarah and
shalemDefinitionprobably "foundation of peace," capital city of all Isr.
NASB TranslationJerusalem (642), Jerusalem's (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
,
644 (in AssyrianUrusalim, Tel Amarna, ZimZA, 1891, 252, 254;Ursalimmu, COTGlossary; ; √ and meaning dubious; Rel Ew and others derive frompossession of peace (orSalem's possession); Thes and others from , i.e. +a foundation of peace; GrillZAW, 1884, 134 ff.foundation of Shalem (Shalem = God of peace, = ); but name not certainly Hebrew; according to SayceAcad. Feb. 7, 1891, 138; Higher Crit. 176 (opposed by ZimZA. 1891, 263), JastrJBL xi, 1892, 185 =Uru (city) +Salim, proper name, of divinity); — usually (Qr perpetuum),Joshua 10:10 +;1 Samuel 17:54 +; -5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (with locative),Esther 2:6, (but -1 Chronicles 3:5 van d. H Baer), so Maccabean coins, LevyGeschichte. d. jüd. Münz. 42 f.; with locative1 Kings 10:2;Isaiah 36:2;Ezekiel 8:3; (-2Chronicles 32:9 above); -2 Kings 9:28; with prefixes:2 Samuel 9:13 +;2 Kings 18:22 +;2 Samuel 15:11 +;2 Kings 23:1 +; —Jerusalem, renowned as capital of all Israel, afterwards of southern kingdom, seat of central worship in temple, first named as city of CanaaniteAdoni-‚edekJoshua 10:1,3,5,23 (all J E), compareJoshua 12:10 (D); inhabited by JebusitesJoshua 15:63 (twice in verse) (P),Judges 1:21 (twice in verse), compareJudges 1:7 (Adoni-Bezek); identification withJudges 19:10, and (q. v.)Joshua 15:8;Joshua 18:28 (both P); captured by JudahJudges 1:8; first named in connection with David1 Samuel 17:54 ; taken possession of by David as king2 Samuel 5:6; David's royal seat2 Samuel 5:5;2 Samuel 5:13;2 Samuel 5:14;2 Samuel 8:7;2 Samuel 11:1 +; it remained the capital until taken by Nebuchadrezzar, B.C. 588,2 Kings 25:1 +; it became the chief home of the returned exilesEzra 1:11;Ezra 2:11;Nehemiah 2:11,17 +; mentioned Samuel 31 t., Kings 92 t., Chronicles 151 t., Ezra 25 t., Nehemiah 38 t., Isa127t., Isa2,322t., Jeremiah 107 t.,Ezekiel 26 t., Zechariah 41 t., etc. — See also proper name, of a location , .
(√ of following; meaning dubious; according to MV Buhl = , of moon aswanderer, so LagBN 46).
Topical Lexicon
Place in Salvation HistoryJerusalem first appears inGenesis 14:18 under the ancient title “Salem.” From the conquest of the Jebusite stronghold by David (2 Samuel 5:6-10) until the final vision of “the new Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2), the city functions as the geographic heart of God’s redemptive plan on earth. Within the Old Testament alone, יְרוּשָׁלַם is named some 643 times, far exceeding any other city, underscoring its unique covenant role.
Geography and Strategic Setting
Situated on a series of ridges between the Kidron and Hinnom valleys, Jerusalem stands about 2,500 feet (760 m) above sea level, commanding the central watershed route that links the northern and southern tribes. Its elevation, natural defenses, and proximity to the main north-south road made it a military prize and an ideal capital (Psalm 125:2).
Political Capital: The City of David
After centuries under Jebusite control, David’s capture of the fortress of Zion unified the kingdom (2 Samuel 5:7). By relocating the ark (2 Samuel 6:12-19), he transformed a neutral tribal space into the worship center of all Israel, foreshadowing the Messiah who would unite Jew and Gentile in one body (Isaiah 56:7;Ephesians 2:14-16).
Royal Temple and Cultic Center
Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6–8) institutionalized Jerusalem as “the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His Name dwell” (Deuteronomy 12:11). The city’s festivals—Passover, Weeks, and Booths—drew pilgrims three times a year (Exodus 23:17), fulfilling God’s design for national unity and covenant remembrance. The psalmist voices this centripetal pull: “Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:2).
Prophetic Nexus
The prophets use Jerusalem both as a barometer of covenant fidelity and as a symbol of eschatological hope.
• Judgment: “Therefore, because you trample on the needy… I will stir up against you a nation” (Amos 5:11, 27).
• Restoration: “I am zealous for Jerusalem… My house will be built in it” (Zechariah 1:14-16).
• Messianic Hope: “The LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, Behold, your Savior comes’ ” (Isaiah 62:11).
Jerusalem thus becomes a theological mirror: her purity prefigures final redemption; her pollution previews exile and wrath.
Exile and Return
Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:8-10) appeared to sever Israel’s covenant life, yet Jeremiah foresaw a “future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Cyrus’s decree (Ezra 1:1-4) initiated a three-part restoration (Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah).Nehemiah 12:43 records the climax: “The joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.” Even in diminished political stature, the rebuilt city re-anchored worship around the second temple, setting the stage for the coming of Christ.
Messianic Fulfillment
Zechariah 9:9 predicted, “See, your King is coming to you… gentle and riding on a donkey.” Jesus’ triumphal entry (Matthew 21:5) intentionally fulfilled that text, publicly identifying Him as the promised Davidic King. His crucifixion “outside the city gate” (Hebrews 13:12) and resurrection near Jerusalem secured atonement at Israel’s covenant center, making the city the launch site of gospel proclamation (Luke 24:47;Acts 1:8).
Eschatological Glory
While earthly Jerusalem endures political turbulence, the prophets anticipate a final, inviolable city:
• “Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place” during the Day of the LORD (Zechariah 14:10-11).
• “The law will go out of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).
These texts converge in Revelation’s vision of “the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:2), integrating Old Testament expectation with ultimate consummation.
Theological Motifs
1. Election: God chose Jerusalem, not for her grandeur but to magnify His grace (Ezekiel 16:3-14).
2. Presence: The Shekinah filled Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:10-11), prefiguring the incarnate Word “tabernacling” among us (John 1:14).
3. Kingship: Davidic covenant promises tie throne and city together (Psalm 132:11-18).
4. Holiness: “Be holy, for I am holy” gains geographic expression; defilement triggers divine discipline (Lamentations 1–2).
5. Mission: Post-Pentecost, Jerusalem shifts from centripetal to centrifugal—“beginning at Jerusalem” the gospel spreads to the nations (Acts 1:8).
Practical Ministry Implications
• Prayer:Psalm 122:6 commands, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you prosper.” Intercession for God’s purposes centered there remains a biblical duty.
• Pilgrimage of Faith: Believers, as “foreigners and strangers” (1 Peter 2:11), look to the heavenly Jerusalem for identity and hope (Hebrews 12:22).
• Gospel Centrality: Preaching must point to the historic cross-resurrection events anchored in Jerusalem as the climax of redemptive history.
Summary
Jerusalem embodies God’s election, judgment, mercy, and future glory. From Melchizedek to Messiah, from exile to eschaton, the city stands as an enduring testimony that the LORD “has chosen Jerusalem and rebuked your accuser” (Zechariah 3:2), guaranteeing that every promise will find its “Yes” and “Amen” in Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
בִּ֠ירוּשָׁלִַם בִּֽירוּשָׁלִַ֔ם בִּֽירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם בִּֽירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ בִּֽירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם בִּֽירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֔ם בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֣ם בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֥ם בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֨ם בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑יִם בִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם בִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם בִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם בִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם בִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ בִירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם בִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ בירושלים בירושלם בירושלם׃ וְלִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ וְלִֽירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם וְלִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וְלִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם וְלִירוּשָׁלִַ֣ם וִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם וִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ וִֽירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם וִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם וִירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם וִירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ וִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם וִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ וִירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם וִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ וִירוּשָׁלַ֙יִם֙ וִירוּשָׁלָֽם׃ וּבִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֔ם וּבִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם וּבִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ וּבִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֣ם וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֥ם וּבִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם וּבִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ וּמִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם וּמִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם וּמִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ ובירושלם ובירושלם׃ וירושלים וירושלם וירושלם׃ ולירושלם ומירושלם יְ֠רוּשָׁלִַם יְ֭רוּשָׁלִַם יְֽרוּשָׁ֫לִָ֥ם יְֽרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם יְֽרוּשָׁלִָ֗ם יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יְמָה יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֛ם יְרֽוּשָׁלִַם֒ יְרֽוּשָׁלִַם֮ יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ יְרוּשָׁלְַ֗מָה יְרוּשָׁלְַ֛מָה יְרוּשָׁלְַ֜מָה יְרוּשָׁלְָ֑מָה יְרוּשָׁלִַ֑ם יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ יְרוּשָׁלִַ֛ם יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם יְרוּשָׁלִַ֣ם יְרוּשָׁלִַ֥ם יְרוּשָׁלִַ֧ם יְרוּשָׁלִַם֒ יְרוּשָׁלִַם֮ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם יְרוּשָׁלִָ֖ם יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ ירושלימה ירושלם ירושלם׃ ירושלמה כִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם כירושלם לִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם לִֽירוּשָׁלִַם֮ לִֽירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם לִֽירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ לִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם לִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם לִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם לִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ לִירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם לִירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לִירוּשָׁלִַ֥ם לִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם לִירוּשָׁלִָ֖ם לִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ לירושלם לירושלם׃ מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם מִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔יִם מִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ מִירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם מִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מִירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ מִירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם מִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם מִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ מִירוּשָׁלָֽיִם׃ מירושלים מירושלים׃ מירושלם מירושלם׃ bî·rū·šā·lā·yim bî·rū·šā·lim ḇî·rū·šā·lim bîrūšālāyim bîrūšālim ḇîrūšālim biRushaLam birushaLayim biRushaLim kî·rū·šā·lim kîrūšālim kirushaLim lî·rū·šā·lim lîrūšālim lirushaLim mî·rū·šā·la·yim mî·rū·šā·lā·yim mî·rū·šā·lim mîrūšālayim mîrūšālāyim mîrūšālim mirushaLayim miRushaLim ū·ḇî·rū·šā·lim ū·mî·rū·šā·lim ūḇîrūšālim ūmîrūšālim umirushaLim uvirushaLim veliRushaLim virushaLam virushaLayim virushaLim wə·lî·rū·šā·lim wəlîrūšālim wî·rū·šā·la·yim wî·rū·šā·lām wî·rū·šā·lim wîrūšālām wîrūšālayim wîrūšālim yə·rū·šā·lay·māh yə·rū·šā·lə·māh yə·rū·šā·lim yərūšālaymāh yərūšāləmāh yərūšālim yeRushaLaymah yerushaLemah yerushaLim
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