Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
JERU'SALEM, the capital of the Hebrew monarchy and of the kingdom of Judah, the most important city in biblical history, and the most sacred and the most desecrated city of the world. "Beautiful for situation," "the joy of the whole earth," "the perfection of beauty," - so sings the Psalmist of this wonderful city. Ps 48:2-3; Ps 50:2. Yet Jesus wept over it tears of sorrow in view of its unfaithfulness and approaching doom: "Jerusalem, thou that
killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." Matt 23:37-39.