From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 1997 12:17 AM To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup Subject: Re: Mount Zion
From: Dr. D. Levesque To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com Subject: Re: Mount Zion heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com wrote: > > From: Stefan Blad > To: "'Hebrew roots'" <heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com> > Subject: Mount Sion > > Shalom Eddie > > Is the mount Zion in Psalm 133:3 Jerusalem or is there a mountain > near Hermon called Zion according to Deut 4:48? > > Stefan Blad > > ********************************************************************** The Mountain Siyon mentioned in Deu 4:48 is the peak or summit of Mt. Hermon in the Golan heights next to the Syrian border. Siyon in Hebrew means "lofty" or peak of a mountain. Mount Zion (Tsiyown)"parched place" is another name for Jerusalem the Temple Mount area which sits north. Dr. D. Levesque ********************************************************************* From: Philip Nowland Subject: Mount Zion To: "INTERNET:heb_roots_chr@geocities.com" <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com> Shalom Stefan I was very interested in your question, for it is one that I have asked myself in the past, and I came to a conclusion that I have never heard anyone else suggest. Mount Hermon is a very large triple peaked mountain in the very north of Israel, almost on the Syrian and Lebanon borders. While Mount Zion is one of the numerous hills that constitute the city of Jerusalem. At first sight, the combination of Psalm 133:3 and Deuteronomy 4:48 seems to imply that either Mount Zion is another name for Mount Hermon, or part of Mount Hermon is also called Mount Zion. But, is that actually what the Scriptures are saying? It is important to note the actual Hebrew words that are used in the two verses under consideration. Psalm 133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing-- life forevermore. (NKJ) The word "Zion" here is Strongs 6726. This word is virtually always rendered "Zion" in English translations of the Tanakh. It is usually a reference to one of the primary hills of the environs of Jerusalem - Mount Zion. This is where David had his palace, and where the Ark of the Covenant temporarily resided prior to being taken across the valley onto the hill known as Mount Moriah, where the Temple of Solomon was built. Zion is always used in conjunction with the city of Jerusalem. While Zion is frequently used as a kind of synonym for Jerusalem, it is not necessarily a synonym for the Temple Mount. The phrase "mountains of Zion" seems to be a reference to Jersualem. Therefore, it is unlikely that the use of the word Zion, in Psalm 133:3, while referred to in the same sentence as Mount Hermon, is meant to convey that the mountain in the northern most area of Israel is to be understood to be actually located in Jerusalem. We should look for an alternative interpretation. However, what is meant by the words of Deutonomy 4:47? Deuteronomy 4:47-48 And they took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, who were on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, even to Mount Sion (that is, Hermon), (NKJ) The word "Sion" here is Strongs 7865, and is the only occasion that this word is used in the Tanakh. While it appears to look similar, in our English translations, to the word translated "Zion" in Psalm 133:3, it is has no connection. It derives from the Hebrew word for elevation, or to arise, and may be a reference to the one (or all) of the triple peaks of Mount Hermon. However, I do think you are correct to link Psalm 133:3 to Jersualem. But, maybe not in the way suggested by your question. Consider again the words of the verse: Psalm 133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing-- life forevermore. (NKJ) The dew of Mount Hermon (in the north) descends upon the mountains of Zion (in the south). How can this be? I have often wondered if the correct meaning of what the Psalmist is saying is something like this: "True fellowship is so sweet, and so blessed, that it is like the wonderfully refreshing dew that is found on the slopes of Mount Hermon (in the north). However, this refreshing dew is taken up by means of evaporation, and carried south as the cloud of God's blessing and becomes the beautiful refreshing rain that descends upon Mount Zion (in the south). The Lord has commanded the blessing to be in Zion (the City of Jerusalem) and in like manner, wherever brethren dwell together in unity, there the Lord commands the blessing to be." What do you think? Philip Nowland Huntingdon, England *************************************************************************