Zion: In the Psalms and prophetic books, Zion represents the city of Jerusalem. In Lamentations, Zion is a poetic name for the city of Jerusalem. The writer uses this name even when the city lies in ruins (destroyed buildings and broken walls). Hebrews 12:22–24 speaks of the heavenly Zion (see also Revelation 14:1–5).
The annual festivals in Jerusalem included:
The Passover
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
The Feast of the Firstfruits (also called the Feast of First Harvest)
The Feast of Harvest (also called Pentecost)
The Feast of Trumpets
The Day of Atonement
The Feast of Tabernacles (also called the Feast of Shelters)
These festivals reminded the people of what God had done for them and helped them renew their covenant (promises between God and his people).
The priests mainly worked in the temple and its surrounding area. When the temple was in ruins, they had no jobs and no future.