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Malcolm,
I believe Mt. Zion is where the original City of David was; to
the south of the current city. As the population grew, the valley
immediately to the north was filled in, and the city expanded
there. In this century, suburbs were built in areas starting from
north-west of the original Mt. Zion, and spreading clockwise,
corresponding to prophecies in (I believe) Jeremiah. I've got a
tape about this which I'll look up for the details. As I
remember, the map looked a bit like:
----------- | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | Valley | |
| | of \ /
| | Hinnom \ / Kidron
| | | | Valley
| | \ /
| | \ /
| |
| |
| | _______
----------- / \
/ \
| | <--- Mount Zion
\ /
\_____ /
There's great passages identifying Zion with the restoration promises
of G_d to His people like Psalm 102 v 13 - 16:
You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show
favour to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are
dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. The nations
will fear the Name of the L_RD, all the kings of the earth will
revere Your glory. For the L_RD will rebuild Zion and appear in
His glory...
I'd be interested to hear more details from those who are
knowledgeable about this too.
Andrew
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| Re .-1
I looked up my tape (which has accompanying notes) and found it
was approximately as I remembered it. My map wasn't quite
right (apart from the limitations of the VT200), so I re-draw
below. It was the Tyropoean valley that was filled in and
built over.
________ ____
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | <-+--- Kidron Valley
| | | | |
Valley | | | Mount | |
| | \ Moriah / |
of | | Tyropoean \ ________/ |
| | |
Hinnom | | Valley -------- |
| | / \ |
| | / Mount | |
| | / Zion / |
| | | / |
| | / / |
| | | / |
| | -------- |
| | \
------------- \
In 1900 - 1948, Jerusalem spread over Gareb / Goath / valley of
dead bodies / Kidron Brook areas, as per Jeremiah 31 v 38 - 40:
"The days are coming", declares the L_RD, "when this city
will be rebuilt for Me from the Tower of Hananel to the
Corner Gate. The measuring line will stretch from there
straight to the hill of Gareb and then turn to Goah.
The whole valley will where dead bodies and ashes are
thrown and all the terraces out to the Kidron Valley
on the east as far as the corner of the Horse Gate, will
be holy to the L_RD. The city will never again be uprooted
or demolished."
The other reference is to Mount Zion being in Micah 3 v 12:
...Zion will be ploughed like a field, Jerusalem will become
a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with
thickets.
Can any of you 'onsite' confirm this? - still interested to
hear.
Some other passages linking Zion / Jerusalem with G_d's
covenant with His people are
Psalm 122, v 6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be
secure. May there be peace within your walls and security
within your citadels"...
Psalm 215 v 1 - 2
Those who trust in the L_RD are like Mount Zion, which
cannot be shaken but endures for ever. As the mountains
surround Jerusalem, so the L_RD surrounds His people both
now and fro evermore.
Psalm 137, esp v 5 - 6
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its
skill, May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if
I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem
my highest joy.
I hope this is of interest...
Andrew
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