The Names of Jerusalem

For more than thirty-five hundred years, the toponym 'Jerusalem' has resounded in the heart of human beings who have venerated her name, first in the Near East, and then in the rest of the world. The idea that Jerusalem is a sacred city is shared by the three related monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

One could trace the layers of this city's religious and historic significance through its different names: Urushalim, Salem, Yerushalem, Yerushalayim, Qodesh, Hierousalem, Hierosolyma, Solyma, Zion, Moriah, Īliyā, Bayt al-Maqdis, al-Quds. This book explores the different appellations given to the city over the millennia in each of these religious traditions. It focuses upon the linguistic, philological, and epigraphical features of the names of Jerusalem, with a strong emphasis on ancient and medieval reception.

It is no coincidence that this book was conceived at Polis, an institute where Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scholars and staff work together, reflecting the multicultural character of Jerusalem. Among other reasons, it made sense to publish at Polis Institute Press a book which is based on sources written in the four main languages taught in this institution: Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Arabic.

We hope that this scholarly contribution will help people of goodwill understand the deep roots and meaning of Peace based on mutual respect and learning from one another.