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4) Sons of Zion
Zion is the name that David gave the citadel conquered from the Jebusites (compare 2 Samuel 5:7, i kings 8:1). Zion means a 'monumental pillar', a 'waymark' or 'sign'. Zion is clearly not merely an alternate name for Jerusalem, it is a name that makes a point. We need to go back to Jacob in Genesis to understand what point David is making. At Bethel Jacob sees Angels ascending and descending and concludes that it is the “gate of God (El)”. Jacob then sets up a pillar (Genesis 28:18) and calls the place Bethel or 'the house of El'. This idea of the gate or entrance to the dwelling of God (El) is explained in a psalm,
For Yahweh has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation.
This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. (Psalm 132:13-14)
Therefore Jerusalem was called 'Zion' by David to indicate it was the place of a pillar, which was the sign of the habitation of Yahweh. When the physical house of El, called the sanctuary, was lost, due to the Babylonian destruction Jeremiah laments,
How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! (Lamentations 4:1-2)
The sons of Zion are those who make the way, or sign of the presence of Yahweh's habitation their hope. When the physical Sanctuary of Zion is lost these sons of Zion are not strong malleable gold but weak clay. Therefore the sons of Zion see their strength and glory only exists in the presence of Yahweh. For the Jews, all their glory as a nation was bound up in the temple and the temple service, or in other words in the idea of Zion.
The sons of Zion and the sons of Yavan (Hellen)
Antiochus IV Epiphanes by banning most aspects of the Jewish worship forced the sons of Zion to revolt. From 166 BC the sons of Zion fought the sons of Yavan (Greece). By 143 BC, the Jewish Maccabees fully established an independence. But there were still Jews who were culturally sons of Yavan (Hellen) in their midst. However, the Jewish success led to another complexity when people who were not Jews, the Hellen, converted to the Jews' religion.
By the birth of Messiah, there were Jews who were living like Hellen, and there were people who had at one point become Hellenised who were living as Jewish proselytes. In the early congregation of the followers of Messiah there were many who were clearly non-Jewish proselytes called Hellen.
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians (Hellen) against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. (Acts 6:1)
But yet at the same time there were many Jews who were called Hellen in Jerusalem, and these were antagonistic to Paul's preaching
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians (Hellen): but they went about to slay him. (Act 9:26-29)
Generally the Middle Eastern world from Asia Minor to Egypt was made up of two types of people Hellen or Jews.
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians (Hellen), preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. (Acts 11:20-21)
Even though the Romans ruled, the two languages were Hebrew and Greek. It is symptomatic of the mixed population at Jerusalem that the inscription over Yeshua's stake was written in 3 languages.
And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (Luke 23:38)
Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. (John 19:19-20)
John implies that the label being in 3 languages helped people to read it, and indicates possibly many Jews had so assimilated that Greek may have been easier for them to read. Though the Romans were more powerful, the Hellen culture had been such that they maintained an influence over Rome. The dominance led Rome to incorporate Greek language and customs into Roman culture. Many Roman leaders were educated by Greeks (Hellen). Even Latin came to include many Greek words.
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