Salem and Jerusalem Relation
**SALEM AND JERUSALEM RELATION**
**INTRODUCTION**
The names Salem and Jerusalem appear throughout Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Scripture shows they are not separate cities but the same place at different stages. Salem is the original biblical name and theological root of Jerusalem. This study traces the origin, historical development, and spiritual meaning of Salem → Jerusalem using Scripture alone.
**I. SALEM IS THE ORIGINAL NAME OF JERUSALEM**
Psalm 76:2 – “His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.” Zion is Jerusalem.
Genesis 14:18-20 – “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.” First mention, ~2000 BC.
Meaning: Salem = Hebrew *Shalem* = peace, complete, whole, safe.
**II. NAME EVOLUTION: SALEM → JEBUS → JERUSALEM**
Judges 19:10-11 – “...they came opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem).” Canaanites called it Jebus.
2 Samuel 5:6-7, 9 – “David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the City of David.” ~1000 BC, David conquered it from the Jebusites.
Meaning: Jerusalem = *Yerushalayim* = “Foundation of Peace” or “City of Peace.” The root *shalem* from Salem remains.
**III. GOD CHOSE JERUSALEM AS HIS DWELLING PLACE**
2 Chronicles 6:6 – “But I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there.”
1 Kings 11:36 – “Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name.”
Psalm 132:13-14 – “For the LORD has chosen Zion... ‘This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell.’”
**IV. MELCHIZEDEK OF SALEM FORESHADOWS CHRIST**
Hebrews 7:1-3 – “King of Salem, that is, king of peace... resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.”
Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:17 – “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
Salem’s priest-king points to Jesus as the eternal King-Priest of the heavenly Jerusalem.
**V. EARTHLY JERUSALEM POINTS TO HEAVENLY NEW JERUSALEM**
Galatians 4:26 – “But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.”
Hebrews 12:22 – “You have come to Mount Zion... the heavenly Jerusalem.”
Revelation 21:2 – “I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”
**VI. HOW TO “BECOME JERUSALEM” SPIRITUALLY**
Philippians 3:20 – “Our citizenship is in heaven.” Faith in Christ grants citizenship.
John 3:3, 5 – “Unless one is born again... he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 2:19-22 – “You are fellow citizens... being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Hebrews 12:14 – “Strive for peace... and holiness.” Live out the name: city of peace.
Revelation 21:27 – “Only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” enter the New Jerusalem.
**VII. CONCLUSION**
Salem is not separate from Jerusalem. It is Jerusalem’s first biblical name, meaning “peace.” Historically the city went from Salem → Jebus → Jerusalem when David conquered it and God chose it. Theologically, Salem’s king Melchizedek foreshadows Christ, and earthly Jerusalem foreshadows the heavenly New Jerusalem. A person “becomes Jerusalem” by faith in Jesus Christ, being born again, and becoming part of God’s people — the holy city where God dwells with man forever.