What Were the Former Names of Jerusalem?

The history of Jerusalem goes back thousands of years, and over time it has been given many names. In the Canaanite Period (14th century BC), it was called Urusalim (City of Shalem), which is probably the earliest name for the city that we know of.

Jerusalem was also named:

• Rushalimum - Egyptian documents, 1800-2000BC.
• Urulsalim - Egyptian Amarna Letters, 1388-1332BC.
• Ursalimmu - Sennacherib Letters, 70BC.

The Meaning Behind the Name Jerusalem

Abraham called the place where God told him to sacrifice Isaac - "God sees" yireh (to see) and Shalem, meaning peace, or whole. Together Yirehshalem or Jerusalem. This ancient name is the most common, and the official name was given to the city.

What was Jerusalem Named During Biblical Times?

The Jewish Midrash states that Jerusalem has 70 names in the Bible. The name "Jerusalem" is mentioned 142 times in the New Testament, including Luke 24:49.

The New Testament refers to Jerusalem by other names such as:

• Holy City (Matthew 4:5),
• City of the Great King (Matthew 5:35)
• Zion (Revelation 14:1).

During the biblical era, the Holy Land was ruled by Rome, and the city was called Jerusalem. Later, in 135AD, it was renamed Aelia Capitolina.

Other Names of Jerusalem

Among the 70+ poetic, religious, and historic names given to Jerusalem are:

• Moriah (Genesus 22:2, 2 Chronicles 3:1) the mount in Jerusalem, where Abraham was instructed to sacrifice his son.
• City of Shalem (Genesus 22:13), associated with the Kingdom of Melchizedek.
• Zion predates the Israelites and Canaanites and originally referred to a part of the city, but later was used to refer to all of Jerusalem and the entire Holy Land.
• City of Jebus (Judges 19:10) is named after the Jebusites who ruled prior to King David.
• City of David (2 Samuel 5:6) is the name given to the Jebusite city after David took the city.
• Neveh Tzedek (Jeremiah 31:22) oasis of justice.
• El Quds - the Arabic name for the city, meaning The Holy Sanctuary.

In The End

Jerusalem may have had many names throughout history, but one thing is for sure: It will always remain the Holy Land of God.