Zion Street Names and Their Biblical Significance
Zion’s streets and boulevards may seem unique, especially to those unfamiliar with Zion’s history. Every avenue in the city is named after a person or place from the Bible, reflecting the vision of Zion’s founder, Dr. John Alexander Dowie. He carefully selected these names when Zion was first planned over a hundred years ago, arranging them in alphabetical order from east to west.
As one of the nation’s few cities planned street by street, Zion shares this distinction with Washington D.C. The city’s street layout was designed to lead to the center of town—the site of the Christian Catholic Church. Each street name holds a biblical reference, though little is known about why Dr. Dowie chose each specific name. Here’s a deeper look at the biblical significance behind some of Zion’s existing street names.
Biblical Origins of Zion’s Streets
- Damascus – The city where Saul was blinded by God and later converted to Christianity after accepting Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 9:1-25).
- Deborah – An ancient prophetess who led Israel to victory against King Jabin of Canaan (Judges 4:1-16).
- Ebenezer – Meaning “stone of help,” named by Samuel after God helped the Israelites defeat the Philistines (I Samuel 7:12).
- Elizabeth – The mother of John the Baptist and cousin of the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:5).
- Elim – A place of refuge with 12 springs of water and 70 palm trees that the Israelites reached during their Exodus (Exodus 15:27).
- Elijah (Sheridan Road) – A powerful prophet known for his miracles and dedication to the Lord (I Kings 1:15).
- Elisha – Elijah’s successor who performed many miracles and witnessed Elijah’s ascension to heaven (I Kings 19:16).
- Emmaus – The village where Jesus revealed Himself to two of His disciples after His resurrection (Luke 24:13-32).
- Enoch – The father of Methuselah, who walked with God before being taken to heaven (Genesis 5:21-25).
- Eshcol – The valley where Joshua and Caleb found grapes and confirmed that Canaan was a good land given by God (Deuteronomy 1:24).
- Ezekiel – A priest and prophet who received God’s word and visions (Book of Ezekiel).
- Ezra – A scribe skilled in the law of Moses, dedicated to teaching and following God’s law (Ezra 7:1-10).
- Gabriel – The angel who delivered important messages to Daniel, Zacharias, and the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:19).
- Galilee – The region where Jesus performed much of His ministry, teaching and healing (Matthew 2:20-23, Matthew 4:23).
- Gideon – A judge of Israel who, with God’s guidance, delivered Israel from the Midianites with a small force (Judges 7:4-8).
- Gilboa – The mountain where King Saul and his sons died in battle against the Philistines (I Samuel 31:1-6).
- Gilead – A covenant made between Jacob and Laban, symbolized by a heap of stones, which they called Gilead (Genesis 31:44-53).
- Hebron – Given to Caleb as an inheritance because he faithfully followed the Lord (Joshua 14:13-15).
- Hermon – A majestic snow-capped mountain often referred to in the Bible (Psalms 133).
- Horeb – Also called Mount Sinai, where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 17:6).
- Jethro – Moses’ father-in-law and priest of Midian who recognized God’s power (Exodus 18:1-11).
- Joanna – A faithful woman who ministered to Jesus and brought spices to His tomb (Luke 24:1-10).
- Joppa – The principal seaport of Judea, where Peter received a vision that led him to preach to the Gentiles (Jonah 1:3, Acts 10:1-22).
- Lydia – The first European convert to Christianity, whose heart was opened by the Lord to receive Paul’s teachings (Acts 16:14).
Other Prominent Streets in Zion
- Bethlehem Blvd. (Rt. 173) – The birthplace of Jesus (Matthew 2:1).
- Salem Blvd. – Meaning “peace,” near where John the Baptist baptized (John 3:22-24).
- Kedron Blvd. – The brook near Jerusalem that Jesus crossed to enter the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:1).
- Carmel Blvd. – The site of Elijah’s challenge to Ahab (I Kings 18).
- Shiloh Blvd. – Refers to the Messiah, “Until Shiloh comes; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:10).
- Bethesda Blvd. – The pool where Jesus healed an infirm man (John 5:2).
- Bethel Blvd. – Named after the place where Jacob encountered God (Genesis 35:15).
- Lebanon Blvd. – Named after the forests of Lebanon, which provided lumber for Solomon’s Temple (I Kings 5:6-10).
The Legacy of Zion’s Street Names
Zion’s streets are more than just names on a map—they tell a story of religious heritage, history, and the vision of Dr. John Alexander Dowie. Each street’s name reflects a deeper biblical meaning, reminding the city’s residents and visitors of the spiritual foundation upon which Zion was built.