The metaphor of Jerusalem as “Daughter Zion” (bat tzion in Hebrew) has profound implications for the reading of gender and theology in the Hebrew Bible. Initially, Daughter Zion is positively likened to a daughter under the special regard of the father figure, God (2 Kings 19:21, Isaiah 37:22).

Quick Reference. Biblical phrase: 'Daughter of Zion' generally refers to Jerusalem or the Jewish people, as, for example, in, 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion … lo, your king comes to you' (Zech 9. 9).

The Daughter of Zion in Lamentations (2:18; cf. Luke 2:34-35) is Daughter Zion as the mother of all the people. As a daughter, she resembles the children of Zion, and as a mother, she resembles the mothers whose children are dying and in need of redemption and reconciliation with God (Isaiah 49:21, 51:11, 54:1-3, 54:2-3; 60:21; Jeremiah 4:31; John 2:1-11, 19:26-27; Revelation 12:1-4, 17).

For St. Luke, Mary is the perfect example of awaiting the Messiah with a pure and humble spirit. Luke sees in Mary the Daughter of Zion who rejoices because God is with her, and who praises His greatness for pulling down the mighty and exalting the humble (Luke 1:28, 30; 1:46-55; cf. Isaiah 61:10; Zephaniah 3:20; Psalm 45:17, 126:1-3).