'Mother city' in the Bible

And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.

Be ashamed, O Sidon [mother-city of Tyre, now like a widow bereaved of her children];For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying,“I have neither labored nor given birth [to children];I have neither brought up young men nor reared virgins.”

‘When she [the royal mother-city] brought up [Jehoahaz] one of her cubs,He became a [young] lion,And he learned to catch and tear the prey;He devoured men.

‘Your mother [Jerusalem] was like a vine in your vineyard,Planted by the waters;It was fruitful and full of branchesBecause of abundant water.