It is actually unclear what the name Jerusalem means. The closest anyone has been able to come is "City of Peace", but it is unclear if this is accurate.
In terms of what Jerusalem is, it is the capital of Israel and the de jure capital of the Palestinian Authority and the site of numerous holy sites for all three monotheistic faiths.
It's a combination of two words, in Genesis ch.14 (Shalem) and ch.22 (Yir'eh). Together the words combine into Jerusalem (Jir'eh-shalem) meaning perfect awareness (of God).
Answer:
The name "Jerusalem" is actually a compound of two Semitic roots. Essentially, it means wholeness, peace, harmony or to show, direct, instruct, or teach.
The word Jerusalem was originally given as 'Urushalim' or 'Urushalem' and is a word of Canaanite derivation. The prefix uru means 'founded by', and the suffix salem or Shalem was the Canaanite god of dusk. The name Urushalim is first found on Egyptian statues from around 2500 BCE. This evidence is reinforced by tablets found in Elba, Syria, dating back to 3000 BCE, on which the god Shalem being venerated in a city called 'Uruksalem' is mentioned.
Jerusalem more recently is often assumed to mean founded in peace, or 'city of peace' (Hebrew: 'ir shalom), but there is no evidence for this interpretation.
Jerusalem is the center of Judaism. It is important to Jews because it was chosen by God (Zechariah 3:2). It was the site of the Akeidah (Binding of Isaac, in Genesis ch.22) and was later the seat of the Davidic Kings, when King David, Israel's greatest king, founded the dynasty that ruled Judah for much of its history, making Jerusalem the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel during his reign and that of his son, King Solomon.
Most importantly, it was the location of the First and Second Temples, where offerings were made to God and where His presence dwelt in the Holy of Holies (1 Kings ch.8).
The city of Jerusalem is significant in a number of religious traditions, including the Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity. Jerusalem has been a major focus of pilgrimage ever since the Roman emperor.
The holy land for Judaism is Israel (see Deuteronomy 11:11-12), and the holy city is Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is the center of Judaism. It is important to Jews because it was chosen by God (Zechariah 3:2). It was the site of the Akeidah (Binding of Isaac, in Genesis ch.22) and was later the seat of the Davidic Kings, when King David, Israel's greatest king, founded the dynasty that ruled Judah for much of its history, making Jerusalem the capital of the United Kingdom of Israel during his reign and that of his son, King Solomon. Most importantly, it was the location of the First and Second Temples, where offerings were made to God and where His presence dwelt in the Holy of Holies (1 Kings ch.8) and was manifested in a number of miracles (Mishna, Avot ch.5).Jerusalem is also representative of the Redemption of the Jewish people from their physical and spiritual exile, because this exile causes the melancholy that the Jewish people experience by being apart from God's presence. The Redemption, which Jews believe will be brought by the Messiah, will result in the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem.
According to ancient Hebrew tradition, Jerusalem is the site where God took the very earth from which Adam, the first man, was formed (midrash Rabbah 14:8). Read Genesis carefully; Adam was not created in the garden of Eden; he was taken there. Jerusalem, because it is the first place on Earth where the spirit of God dwelt, is considered a direct link to God.
Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion and Jerusalem has been its only holy site for over 3000 years. King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by invading Babylonians, and rebuilt at the same site (known as the Temple Mount) about 2500 years ago. It was then destroyed again when the Romans conquered Judea about 2000 years ago, killing a million Jews. All Jews who value their heritage feel ties to Jerusalem and the holy land, where so many of their people struggled for the freedom to practice Judaism. At the same time, Jews believe that all people should be welcome there, regardless of faith.
Jerusalem is the eternal Jewish city, and a symbol of a future time of peace. Jerusalem is also the focal point of prayer of the Jews. When they pray, wherever they are, they face towards Jerusalem (Talmud, Berakhot 30a), with love and longing. The sentiment is aptly expressed in Psalm 137: "By the waters of Babylon, there we sat and wept as we remembered Zion....If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its wisdom."
For thousands of years we remembered our exile and prayed for its end. Now at least we can do so from "up close."
See also the other Related Links.
The capital of Israel.
Jerusalem means "City of Peace".
About being a Israelite
The number of gates of New Jerusalem as John describes them is Twelve. The traditional meaning of the number twelve is foundation.
Abud is a name and it means to worship. Abud is also a village in Palestine that is north of Jerusalem.
In his Epistle to the Galatians, Paul said that after his conversion, he travelled to Arabia, then Damascus (bypassing Jerusalem), Jerusalem, then Syria and Cilicia, and then, after a period of fourteen years, back to Jerusalem (Galatians 1:17-2:1).Paul's second visit to Jerusalem was so that he could communicate, to the leaders of the Jerusalem church, the gospel that he was preaching among the gentiles. He says he communicated this privately to the men of reputation in Jerusalem so that he should not run in vain, perhaps meaning that he wished to avoid a public disagreement over doctrine.
Miraj - literal meaning: Muhammad's miraculous ascension from Jerusalem, through the seven heavens, to the throne of God. The site from which he ascended is now the shrine of the Dome of the Rock
It means that the year of jubilee was celebrated in Jerusalem and no tax's would be payed and the slaves would be let go.
No, its the opposite. Jerusalem is a city within Israel the country.In fact - Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.Read more about Jerusalem at: jerusalem
The Council of Jerusalem was the Church Council held at Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is a city.
There is a Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem, Israel.
Jerusalem. It was the city of prophets, of the holy Temple, and the dynasty of King David.For the importance of Jerusalem for Judaism, see: Jerusalem in Judaism
The Council of Jerusalem was the Church Council held at Jerusalem.