Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

2 CHRONICLES 3:1KJV
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2 Chronicles 3:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 3:1 mean?

2 Chronicles 3:1 describes how Solomon began building the temple for the LORD in Jerusalem, specifically on Mount Moriah, a place where God had appeared to David. The verse notes that this location was the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, which David had prepared for this purpose.

This verse is part of a historical account written to the people of Israel, recording the start of Solomon’s construction of the temple. The mention of Mount Moriah and the threshing floor links the temple’s site to earlier events in Israel’s history, especially God’s appearance to David and David’s purchase of the land, making the location both significant and chosen by God.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 3:1

  • מֹרִיָּה (Moriah, transliteration: moriyyah): This name refers to the specific mountain in Jerusalem where the temple was built. Its mention ties the site to earlier biblical events, such as Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac, highlighting its spiritual importance.
  • גֹּרֶן (goren, transliteration: goren): This word means “threshing floor.” In this context, it refers to the exact spot purchased by David from Ornan the Jebusite, emphasizing that the temple was built on land specifically set apart for God.
  • הֵכִין (hekin, transliteration: hekin): This word means “prepared.” It shows that David had made arrangements for the temple’s location before Solomon began building, underlining the continuity between David’s plans and Solomon’s actions.

Why 2 Chronicles 3:1 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the temple’s location was not random but chosen by God through significant events involving David, giving the site deep spiritual meaning for Israel.
  • By connecting Solomon’s building project to David’s earlier actions and God’s appearance, the verse emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s promises and the unity of Israel’s leadership.
  • The mention of Ornan the Jebusite’s threshing floor shows the transformation of a common place into the most sacred site in Israel, reminding readers that God can use ordinary things for extraordinary purposes.

Where else these words appear

“Moriah” Hebrew H4179 · used in 2 verses

  • Genesis 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

“Ornan” Hebrew H771 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 21:15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

“threshingfloor” Hebrew H1637 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Ruth 3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.

“Jebusite” Hebrew H2983 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 10:16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 24:16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.