Mountains: Moriah
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Topical Encyclopedia
Mount Moriah holds a significant place in biblical history and theology, serving as a backdrop for pivotal events that underscore themes of faith, obedience, and divine provision. It is primarily known for two major biblical narratives: the binding of Isaac and the location of Solomon's Temple.

The Binding of Isaac

Mount Moriah is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis, where it is the setting for the profound test of faith involving Abraham and his son Isaac. In Genesis 22:2 , God commands Abraham, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you." This event, often referred to as the Akedah or the binding of Isaac, is a cornerstone of faith narratives, illustrating Abraham's unwavering obedience to God. As Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son, God intervenes, providing a ram as a substitute offering. This act not only tests Abraham's faith but also foreshadows the concept of substitutionary atonement, a theme that resonates throughout Christian theology.

Solomon's Temple

Mount Moriah is also traditionally identified as the site where Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem. In 2 Chronicles 3:1 , it is recorded, "Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the site that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." This temple became the central place of worship for the Israelites, housing the Ark of the Covenant and serving as the focal point for religious life in ancient Israel. The choice of Mount Moriah as the temple site underscores its sacred status and continuity in God's plan, linking the patriarchal narratives with the establishment of Israel's religious institutions.

Theological Significance

Mount Moriah's theological significance is multifaceted. It is a place where God's covenantal promises and human faith intersect. The narrative of Abraham and Isaac highlights themes of trust and divine provision, as God provides a ram in place of Isaac, symbolizing His provision for humanity's needs. This event is often seen as a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe is the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation.

Furthermore, the construction of the temple on Mount Moriah signifies the establishment of a permanent dwelling place for God's presence among His people. It represents a tangible connection between heaven and earth, where worship, sacrifice, and divine revelation occur. The temple's location on Mount Moriah thus becomes a symbol of God's enduring presence and faithfulness to His covenant people.

Cultural and Historical Context

In addition to its biblical significance, Mount Moriah holds a prominent place in Jewish tradition and history. It is associated with the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a site of immense religious importance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The historical and archaeological aspects of Mount Moriah continue to be subjects of study and reverence, reflecting its enduring legacy in the religious and cultural consciousness of the world.

Mount Moriah, therefore, stands as a testament to the profound narratives of faith and divine interaction that shape the biblical account. Its role in the binding of Isaac and the construction of Solomon's Temple highlights its importance as a sacred space where God's promises and human faith converge.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 22:2
And he said, Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and get you into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 3:1
Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chapter xxii
... thou hast grown to love, even Isaac, and go for thyself to the land of Moriah, and
offer him up there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxii.htm

The Parts of the City. Sion. The Upper City: which was on the ...
... to the bottom of the mountains': whence we learn that Jerusalem was seated upon
seven mountains." One may ... "Against this was a third hill [Moriah], lower than ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 22 the parts of.htm

Abraham's Obedience
... 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 ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xiii abrahams obedience.htm

Israel in Canaan.
... In the north, rise the high mountains of Libanus, a spur from which goes ... was still
held by the Canaanites, in especial Jebus, on Mount Moriah, between Judah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson v israel in canaan.htm

Abraham's Loyalty to God
... Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah,
and offer him there as a burnt-offering on one of the mountains of which I ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/abrahams loyalty to god.htm

Some General Matters and Some Biblical Characters. The Bible Book ...
... This chapter looks to the study of some of the most important of them. Sacred Mountains
and Hills. ... (8) Carmel, Is.32:9; 1-K.18-19. (9) Moriah, 2:Chron.3:1-10. ...
/.../chapter viii some general matters.htm

The Road to Pella
... long struggle through the inky blackness of the tunnel leading under Moriah. ... Christian
Pella from the rude winds of the Perean mountains, the procurator of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xxiv the road to.htm

Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac
... 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 ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/abrahams offering up his son.htm

Faith Tested and Crowned
... 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 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/faith tested and crowned.htm

The Building of the Golden House.
... Away up in the mountains of Lebanon they worked with the servants of Hiram, King
of ... was built there was no sound of a hammer or any tool heard on Mount Moriah. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

Resources
What does “how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news” mean in Isaiah 52:7? | GotQuestions.org

Can faith really move mountains? | GotQuestions.org

What is the seven mountain mandate, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Mountains: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Mountains

Mountains are the Sources of Springs and Rivers

Mountains of Difficulties

Mountains of God's Righteousness

Mountains of Persons in Authority

Mountains of Proud and Haughty Persons

Mountains of the Church of God

Mountains: (Breaking Forth Into Singing) of Exceeding Joy

Mountains: (Burning) of Destructive Enemies

Mountains: (Dropping New Wine) of Abundance

Mountains: (Made Waste) of Desolation

Mountains: (Threshing of) Heavy Judgments

Mountains: A Defence to a Country

Mountains: Abarim

Mountains: Abounded With: Deer

Mountains: Abounded With: Forests

Mountains: Abounded With: Game

Mountains: Abounded With: Herbs

Mountains: Abounded With: Minerals

Mountains: Abounded With: Precious Things

Mountains: Abounded With: Spices

Mountains: Abounded With: Stone for Building

Mountains: Abounded With: Vineyards

Mountains: Abounded With: Wild Beasts

Mountains: Afford Refuge in Time of Danger

Mountains: Afforded Pasturage

Mountains: Amalek

Mountains: Ararat

Mountains: Bashan

Mountains: Beacons or Ensigns often Raised Upon

Mountains: Bethel

Mountains: Called: Everlasting Hills

Mountains: Called: God's Mountains

Mountains: Called: Perpetual Hills

Mountains: Called: Pillars of Heaven

Mountains: Called: The Ancient Mountains

Mountains: Called: The Everlasting Mountains

Mountains: Canaan Abounded In

Mountains: Carmel

Mountains: Collect the Vapours Which Ascend from the Earth

Mountains: Ebal

Mountains: Ephraim

Mountains: Gerizim

Mountains: Gilboa

Mountains: Gilead

Mountains: God: Causes, to Melt

Mountains: God: Causes, to Skip

Mountains: God: Causes, to Smoke

Mountains: God: Causes, to Tremble

Mountains: God: Formed

Mountains: God: Gives Strength To

Mountains: God: Makes Waste

Mountains: God: Overturns

Mountains: God: Parches, With Draught

Mountains: God: Removes

Mountains: God: Scatters

Mountains: God: Set Fast

Mountains: God: Sets the Foundations of, on Fire

Mountains: God: Waters, from his Chambers

Mountains: God: Weighs, in a Balance

Mountains: Hachilah

Mountains: Hermon

Mountains: Hor

Mountains: Horeb

Mountains: Lebanon

Mountains: Made to Glorify God

Mountains: Many Exceedingly High

Mountains: Mizar

Mountains: Moreh

Mountains: Moriah

Mountains: Nebo (Part of Abarim)

Mountains: Often Inhabited

Mountains: Often Selected As Places for Idolatrous Worship

Mountains: Olives or Mount of Corruption

Mountains: Pisgah (Part of Abarim)

Mountains: Proclamations often Made From

Mountains: Seir

Mountains: Sinai

Mountains: Sion

Mountains: Sometimes Selected As Places for Divine Worship

Mountains: Tabor

Mountains: The Elevated Parts of the Earth

Mountains: Volcanic Fires of, Alluded To

Related Terms

Quake (23 Occurrences)

Valleys (38 Occurrences)

Abarim (8 Occurrences)

Ararat (4 Occurrences)

Quaked (13 Occurrences)

Dens (10 Occurrences)

Majestic (22 Occurrences)

Mountaintops (4 Occurrences)

Shephelah (2 Occurrences)

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)

Arabia (9 Occurrences)

Deer (15 Occurrences)

Cedars (37 Occurrences)

Burst (33 Occurrences)

Plains (31 Occurrences)

Melt (33 Occurrences)

Melted (33 Occurrences)

80000 (3 Occurrences)

Mountain (298 Occurrences)

Defied (20 Occurrences)

Merom (2 Occurrences)

Pastures (25 Occurrences)

Burns (34 Occurrences)

Bether (1 Occurrence)

Cutters (14 Occurrences)

Carriers (7 Occurrences)

Cities (427 Occurrences)

Ciccar

Caves (17 Occurrences)

Chamois (1 Occurrence)

Anakims (9 Occurrences)

Armenia (2 Occurrences)

Shadows (11 Occurrences)

Snow (25 Occurrences)

Stonecutters (6 Occurrences)

Sank (19 Occurrences)

Sharon (9 Occurrences)

Prevailed (46 Occurrences)

Burdens (35 Occurrences)

Streams (80 Occurrences)

Sounds (64 Occurrences)

Sardis (3 Occurrences)

Shrines (40 Occurrences)

Mount (311 Occurrences)

Phoenicians

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)

Partridge (2 Occurrences)

Shake (68 Occurrences)

Shook (33 Occurrences)

Shaking (162 Occurrences)

Arabah (32 Occurrences)

Shade (67 Occurrences)

Sheep (413 Occurrences)

Shaken (62 Occurrences)

Kir (11 Occurrences)

Depths (56 Occurrences)

Shadow (72 Occurrences)

Sinai (38 Occurrences)

Sounding (99 Occurrences)

Quarry (5 Occurrences)

3600 (2 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Zoar (12 Occurrences)

Ensign (21 Occurrences)

Den (19 Occurrences)

Drip (12 Occurrences)

Densest (2 Occurrences)

Month (197 Occurrences)

Mistake (5 Occurrences)

Peaks (5 Occurrences)

Pines (7 Occurrences)

Pontus (3 Occurrences)

Plateau (13 Occurrences)

Phoenix (2 Occurrences)

Poplar (4 Occurrences)

Publisheth (3 Occurrences)

Preparing (25 Occurrences)

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)

Publishes (3 Occurrences)

Mountains: Moreh
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