(a) SITE AND DATE (2 Chronicles 3:1-2).
(1) At Jerusalem in mount Moriah. — Nowhere else in the Old Testament is the Temple site so specified. (Comp. “the land of Moriah,” the place appointed for the sacrifice of Isaac, Genesis 22:2.)
Where the Lord appeared unto David his father. — So LXX.; rather, who appeared unto David his father. Such is the meaning according to the common use of words. There is clearly an allusion to the etymology of MORIAH, which is assumed to signify “appearance of Jah.” (Comp. Genesis 22:14.) Translate, “in the mount of the Appearance of Jah, who appeared unto David his father.” The Vulgate reads: “in Monte Moria qui demonstratus fuerat David patri ejus;” but nir’ah never means to be shown or pointed out. The Syriac, misunderstanding the LXX. (Ἀμωρία), renders “in the hill of the Amorites.”
In the place that David had prepared. — This is no doubt correct, as the versions indicate. The Hebrew has suffered an accidental transposition.
In the threshingfloor of Ornan. — 1 Chronicles 21:28; 1 Chronicles 22:1.