Jerusalem

JERU'SALEM, the capital of the Hebrew monarchy and of the kingdom of Judah, the most important city in biblical history, and the most sacred and the most desecrated city of the world. "Beautiful for situation," "the joy of the whole earth," "the perfection of beauty," - so sings the Psalmist of this wonderful city. Ps 48:2-3; Ps 50:2. Yet Jesus wept over it tears of sorrow in view of its unfaithfulness and approaching doom: "Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." Matt 23:37-39. I. Names. - "Jerusalem," in Hebrew, means "the possession" or "inheritance of peace." It is called "Salem" in Ps 76:2, and Jewish commentators affirm that it is identical with the Salem of Melchizedek, Gen 14:18; but Jerome and others dispute this. The Jews also believe that it includes the mount upon which Abraham offered Isaac, and which he named" Jehovah-jireh." Gen 22:14. It is called "Jebusi," Josh 18:28, and "Jebus," Judg 19:10-11, and it first appears as "Jerusalem" in Josh 10:1. It was known as "the city of David" and of "Zion," 1 Kgs 8:1; 2 Kgs 14:20; "city of Judah," 2 Chr 25:28; "city of God," Ps 46:4; "city of the great King," Ps 48:2; "the holy city," Neh 11:1; "Ariel," Isa 29:1; in the Latin Version it is "Hierosolyma." By the Roman emperor Hadrian it was named AElia Capitolina; by the Mohammedans, Arabs, and Turks it is now known

as el-Khuds, or "the holy," and Beit-el-Makhuddis, or "the holy house" or "the sanctuary." The Moslems regard it as their most holy city, next to Mecca and Medina, and believe that the general judgment will take place in the valley of Jehoshaphat, under the direction of Mohammed and Jesus.