The Threshing Floor of Ornan, also known as the Threshing Floor of Araunah, is a significant biblical site mentioned in the Old Testament. It is primarily noted for its role in the events surrounding King David and the establishment of the future site of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Biblical Account

The account of the Threshing Floor of Ornan is found in 1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Samuel 24. The narrative begins with King David's decision to conduct a census of Israel, which was displeasing to God. As a result, God sent a plague upon Israel as a form of judgment. In response to David's repentance and plea for mercy, God instructed the prophet Gad to tell David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

1 Chronicles 21:18-19 states: "Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to tell David that David should go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. So David went up at the word of Gad, which he had spoken in the name of the LORD."

David approached Ornan to purchase the site, insisting on paying the full price, despite Ornan's offer to give it freely. This transaction is significant as it underscores the principle of sacrificial giving and the importance of offering to God that which costs the giver something. David's insistence on paying is recorded in 1 Chronicles 21:24 : "But King David replied to Ornan, 'No, I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer a burnt offering that costs me nothing.'"

Theological Significance

The Threshing Floor of Ornan holds profound theological significance as it later became the site of Solomon's Temple. This location, Mount Moriah, is traditionally identified as the same place where Abraham was prepared to offer Isaac (Genesis 22), thus linking it to themes of faith, obedience, and divine provision.

The purchase of the threshing floor and the subsequent building of the altar marked a turning point in the narrative of Israel, symbolizing repentance, atonement, and the establishment of a central place of worship. It highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the necessity of proper worship.

Historical and Cultural Context

Threshing floors in ancient Israel were open, flat areas where grain was separated from chaff. They were often located on elevated sites to take advantage of the wind, which would carry away the lighter chaff. The choice of a threshing floor as the site for an altar and later the Temple underscores the transformation of a commonplace agricultural setting into a sacred space.

Legacy

The Threshing Floor of Ornan is a testament to God's mercy and the importance of genuine worship. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the willingness to offer God our best. The site’s transformation into the Temple Mount in Jerusalem further cements its place in biblical history as a focal point of worship and divine encounter.