Although the name Zion
is a synonym for Jerusalem, it is specifically used in the context of worship (see also Isaiah 2:2–3). It served as the temple city and dwelling place of God who had entered into covenant with his people. The roads to Zion
were the roads from all over the country leading to God’s temple. The roads used to be crowded with pilgrims that came for the holy festivals to the temple (see Leviticus 23:1–44; Deuteronomy 16:1–22). These roads are empty now. The roads to Zion are also personified: they mourn as people do, because of the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of its leading citizens, which resulted in empty roads and desolate gates. No one uses the roads anymore to go up to Zion, worshipping the Lord.
4 Les chemins de Sion sont dans le deuil, car on ne va plus aux fêtes; Toutes ses portes sont désertes, Ses sacrificateurs gémissent, Ses vierges sont affligées, et elle est remplie d'amertume.