Lexical Summary Aravnah: Araunah Original Word: אֲרַוְנָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Araunah Or (by transposition) rowrnah {ore-naw'}; or farniyah {ar-nee-yaw'}; all by orthographical variation for 'Ornan; Aravnah (or Arnijah or Ornah), a Jebusite -- Araunah. see HEBREW 'Ornan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a Jebusite NASB Translation Araunah (9). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲרַוְנָה proper name, masculine Araunah, a Jebusite — ׳א 2 Samuel 24:20 (twice in verse); 2 Samuel 24:21,22,23 (but read עֶבֶד אֲדֹנַי compare We Dr) 2 Samuel 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:24; Kt גֹּרֶן האורנה 2 Samuel 24:16 (Qr הָאֲרַוְנָה) with article but compare Dr; Kt ארניה ׳ג 2 Samuel 24:18 (Qr אֲרַוְנָה); = אָרְנָן (q. v.) 1 Chronicles 21:15f; ᵐ5 in Samuel & Chronicles Ὀρνα. Topical Lexicon Name and Identity Araunah (Hebrew אֲרַוְנָה), also rendered Ornan in 1 Chronicles 21, is introduced as “the Jebusite,” indicating he was among the original inhabitants of Jerusalem before David’s conquest. Although a foreigner, he is portrayed as a God-fearing resident integrated into Israel’s life. Historical Setting Araunah enters the biblical narrative during the final episode of David’s reign when the king’s ill-advised census brings divine judgment (2 Samuel 24). A destroying angel brings plague upon Israel until commanded to halt at Araunah’s threshing floor—an elevated, wind-swept site just north of David’s city. Occurrences in Scripture Nine mentions of Araunah occur in 2 Samuel 24:16-24, clustered around the purchase of his threshing floor. Parallel references in 1 Chronicles 21:15-28 (using the name Ornan) supplement the account but do not introduce additional appearances of the form אֲרַוְנָה. Role in David’s Census Judgment “When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented… The angel of the LORD was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite” (2 Samuel 24:16). The location becomes the very point at which mercy triumphs over judgment. God directs Gad the prophet to tell David, “Go up and set up an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite” (24:18). Thus Araunah’s property is divinely chosen as the stage for national atonement. The Threshing Floor as Sacred Ground Threshing floors were typically placed on rocky, elevated ground where winds could separate grain from chaff. Such sites were also easily adapted for altars, lacking defilement from graves or dwellings. By commanding an altar there, God transforms a commonplace agricultural setting into consecrated space, foreshadowing the later sanctification of the site for permanent worship. Araunah’s Character and Generosity Seeing David approach, Araunah “bowed facedown before the king” (2 Samuel 24:20). His reverence is coupled with open-handed generosity: “My lord the king may take whatever pleases him… Here are the oxen… the threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood” (24:22). He volunteers the very assets of his livelihood—land, animals, and equipment—for Israel’s reconciliation. His words, “May the LORD your God accept you” (24:23), reveal a sincere desire that God’s favor rest on both king and nation. The Costly Sacrifice Principle David’s response is foundational for worship theology: “I insist on paying you for it, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). He pays “fifty shekels of silver,” affirming that authentic devotion embraces costliness. The episode becomes a perpetual reminder that grace is free, but worship is never cheap. Connection to the Temple Mount 1 Chronicles 22:1 records David’s recognition: “This is the house of the LORD God and this is the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” The purchased threshing floor later becomes the foundation of Solomon’s Temple (2 Chronicles 3:1), embedding Araunah’s name in temple history. Thus, a Jebusite’s land, willingly yielded, becomes the geographical heart of Old Testament worship and the typological backdrop for New Testament fulfillment. Theological and Redemptive Significance 1. Propitiation by Substitution: The oxen offered on Araunah’s floor typify sacrificial substitution, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:10). Lessons for Ministry and Life • Generosity fuels divine purposes; Araunah’s open hand becomes a conduit for national blessing. Araunah’s brief appearance thus bridges judgment and mercy, harvest and holiness, Gentile and Jew. Through his threshing floor the Lord showcases the enduring truth that willing hearts and costly sacrifices converge to establish places where His glory dwells. Forms and Transliterations אֲרַ֔וְנָה אֲרַ֗וְנָה אֲרַ֙וְנָה֙ אֲרַ֥וְנָה ארונה הָאֲרַ֥וְנָה הארונה ’ă·raw·nāh ’ărawnāh aRavnah hā’ărawnāh hā·’ă·raw·nāh haaRavnahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 24:16 HEB: [הָאֹורְנָה כ] (הָאֲרַ֥וְנָה ק) הַיְבֻסִֽי׃ NAS: was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. KJV: was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. INT: was by the threshing Araunah the Jebusite 2 Samuel 24:18 2 Samuel 24:20 2 Samuel 24:20 2 Samuel 24:21 2 Samuel 24:22 2 Samuel 24:23 2 Samuel 24:23 2 Samuel 24:24 9 Occurrences |
    |