What is God’s holy mountain?

Last updated on June 25, 2025

God’s holy mountain is a central theme in many prophecies throughout both the Old and New Testaments. But what, exactly, does the Bible mean when it speaks of God’s holy mountain?

Literal and Spiritual Meanings

First, it’s important to understand that God’s holy mountain is not a literal mountain—it is a spiritual reality. While historical references may associate it with the physical land of Jerusalem, that is not the true focus of what the Bible means when it speaks of God’s holy mountain.

To grasp its full meaning, we need to recognize a key biblical principle: a word, verse, or passage in Scripture can carry more than one meaning. These meanings may be literal, spiritual, or both. That’s why it’s essential to develop discernment—to distinguish between the physical and the spiritual truths revealed in God’s Word.

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Jerusalem And Zion

Now, let us apply this principle of dual meaning to a key passage in the Bible concerning Jerusalem and Zion—the city founded by King David.

In 2 Samuel 5:6–7, we read:
“Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: ‘You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.’ For they thought, ‘David cannot get in here.’ Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).”

At first glance, this passage appears to be purely historical. King David led his men to conquer the city of Jerusalem, then inhabited by the Jebusites. They mocked David, thinking the city was impenetrable—even the blind and the lame, they said, could hold him off. Yet, despite their confidence, David took the city, and the fortress of Zion became known as the City of David.

But when we examine this passage with spiritual discernment, a deeper meaning emerges. Yes, David literally captured the land of Jerusalem from its inhabitants. However, the mention of “Zion” introduces a second layer of meaning. Zion, while geographically associated with a part of ancient Jerusalem, also represents something greater—a spiritual stronghold, a holy realm. In essence, when David took Jerusalem, he gained control not only of a physical city but also laid claim to something spiritually significant.

From this, we can conclude that David’s conquest involved two realms. The first was the literal city—the land of the Jebusites, now called Jerusalem. The second was a spiritual domain—Zion, the place God would later identify as His holy mountain. Because of this, the name “Jerusalem” in Scripture can carry two meanings. It may refer to the earthly city, or it may point to the heavenly and spiritual reality of Zion—God’s dwelling place, His holy mountain.

Understanding this duality helps us interpret other scriptures more accurately. When the Bible speaks of Jerusalem, it may not always mean the city in the Middle East. Sometimes, it is pointing to Zion—the spiritual city of God, the true focus of prophetic fulfillment.

How to discern

Below are some examples that demonstrate how to distinguish between the literal and spiritual meanings of “Jerusalem” in the Bible.

Let’s begin with a straightforward example:

Luke 2:41 – “Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.”

In this passage, it is clear that the term “Jerusalem” refers to the physical city in the land of Israel. Mary and Joseph were traveling to the actual, geographical Jerusalem to observe the annual Feast of the Passover, a requirement under the Law of Moses. There is no indication of symbolic or spiritual meaning here—this is a historical account involving a literal journey to a literal place.

Recognizing this helps set a baseline for how the Bible uses the term “Jerusalem” in a literal sense. As we examine other verses, we’ll see how the same name can also carry a deeper, spiritual meaning depending on the context.

The Holy Mountain

More often than not, when the Bible refers to Jerusalem, it is not speaking of the physical city located in the Middle East, but rather of Zion—God’s holy mountain. This spiritual Jerusalem represents the place of God’s presence, authority, and reign. While some verses clearly describe literal events in the earthly city, many others point beyond the natural and reveal a deeper, spiritual reality.

Take, for example, Jeremiah 3:17:
“At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the LORD,’ and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.”

In this passage, the “Jerusalem” being described cannot possibly be the physical city. How do we know? The key phrase—“all nations will gather in Jerusalem”—makes it evident. The physical city simply does not have the capacity to hold people from every nation on earth. Clearly, this is not about geography. It is describing a spiritual reality—a time when all peoples will come together under God’s rule in the spiritual Jerusalem, which is Zion, the dwelling place of God. This is a prophetic vision of unity and worship under God’s sovereign throne, far beyond the boundaries of a physical city.

Another example of this can be seen in Psalm 2:6:
“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”

In this verse, God explicitly declares that Zion is His holy mountain. This is not a political or military stronghold—it is a spiritual one. Zion represents the seat of God’s divine government and the place where His chosen King reigns. In this context, Zion is synonymous with the spiritual Jerusalem—God’s holy mountain, the center of His eternal kingdom.

These examples help us see how Scripture often uses the term “Jerusalem” in a symbolic or prophetic way, pointing to the deeper reality of God’s kingdom and presence. Through discernment, we begin to recognize when the Bible is revealing truths not about earthly places, but about heavenly ones.

Mount Zion

Here’s one final example to consider:

Joel 2:32 – “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.”

In this verse, both Zion and Jerusalem are mentioned side by side. Here, the prophet Joel is referring to both the spiritual and the physical dimensions of Jerusalem. There’s no need to draw a strict line between the two, because the verse embraces both meanings at once. It speaks of a future time when God’s deliverance will be revealed—not only in the historical city of Jerusalem but also in the spiritual realm of Mount Zion, where God’s presence dwells and His people find refuge.

It’s also helpful to note that the term Mount Zion is often used as a shortened reference to God’s Holy Mountain Zion—a symbolic name for the place where God reigns in righteousness and where His people are gathered under His rule. In this passage, Joel uses both terms together to emphasize the completeness of God’s salvation: it reaches both the visible world and the unseen spiritual reality.

Conclusion

To truly understand what God’s holy mountain is all about, we must first grasp a foundational truth about Scripture: a word, verse, or passage can carry more than one meaning. The Bible often speaks on multiple levels—literal, spiritual, or both—and discerning these layers is essential for deeper understanding.

This principle applies directly to the concept of Jerusalem. While it is certainly a physical city in the land of Israel, the Bible also reveals that Jerusalem has a spiritual counterpart—Zion, God’s holy mountain. In many passages, the names Jerusalem and Zion are used interchangeably, not just to refer to a geographical location, but to describe a spiritual reality: the dwelling place of God and the center of His kingdom.

Mount Zion, a shortened form of “God’s holy mountain Zion,” represents this spiritual Jerusalem. Therefore, when you encounter the word Jerusalem in Scripture, it may be referring to the physical city, the spiritual kingdom of God, or both. It is our responsibility as readers and believers to seek discernment through prayer, study, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand which Jerusalem is being spoken of. Only then can we fully grasp the depth of the prophetic messages concerning God’s holy mountain.

That’s all for now brethren and friends. If this post has helped you understand this topic, please share this knowledge with others. You can share the post on your social media accounts or consider donating to this ministry. Until next time, may God bless you!