Learn more about Araunah

Introduction to Araunah

Araunah, also called Ornan in some biblical translations, was a Jebusite who played a significant role in the history of Jerusalem and Israel. He is best known for owning the threshing floor that King David purchased, which later became the site of the Temple in Jerusalem. His story is a testament to obedience, sacrifice, and the providence of God in choosing sacred spaces for worship.

Araunah Pronunciation

“Araunah” is pronounced as ah-RAW-nuh, with emphasis on the second syllable.

Araunah in the Bible

The Purchase of the Threshing Floor

The key event involving Araunah is recounted in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21. After David sinned by conducting a census of Israel, a plague struck the land as divine punishment. At God’s command, David built an altar on Araunah’s threshing floor to halt the plague:

• Divine Command: The prophet Gad instructed David to set up an altar at the threshing floor of Araunah to make atonement (2 Samuel 24:18; 1 Chronicles 21:18).
• Araunah’s Offer: Araunah offered the threshing floor, oxen, and tools for free, but David insisted on paying full price, declaring, “I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).
• The Purchase: David purchased the site for 50 shekels of silver (2 Samuel 24:24) or 600 shekels of gold (1 Chronicles 21:25), possibly reflecting different parts of the transaction.
• God’s Mercy: After the offerings were made, the plague ceased, demonstrating God’s mercy and forgiveness (2 Samuel 24:25).

The Site of the Temple

The threshing floor of Araunah became the foundation for Solomon’s Temple. 2 Chronicles 3:1 identifies it as the location where Solomon built the Temple, on Mount Moriah, where Abraham had earlier prepared to sacrifice Isaac. This connection adds profound theological and historical significance to the site.

Araunah in Biblical History and Context

Araunah was a Jebusite, part of the Canaanite people who inhabited Jerusalem before David conquered the city. His willingness to sell his threshing floor and support David’s sacrifice demonstrates his respect for Israel’s God. This event underscores the transition of Jerusalem from a Jebusite stronghold to the religious center of Israel.

Primary Related Scriptures

• 2 Samuel 24:18-25: The story of Araunah’s threshing floor and David’s sacrifice.
• 1 Chronicles 21:18-30: Parallel account of the event, emphasizing the site’s importance.
• 2 Chronicles 3:1: Identification of the threshing floor as the location of Solomon’s Temple.

Theological Significance of Araunah

Araunah’s story highlights themes of sacrifice, obedience, and divine providence. David’s insistence on paying for the threshing floor underscores the principle that true worship requires cost and commitment. The transformation of the site into the Temple reflects God’s ability to redeem and sanctify ordinary places for extraordinary purposes.

Related Terms and Meanings

- Threshing Floor: A flat, elevated area used for separating grain from chaff, symbolizing judgment and purification in biblical imagery. - Mount Moriah: The site of Araunah’s threshing floor and later Solomon’s Temple. - Temple: The central place of worship for Israel, rooted in Araunah’s act of obedience and David’s sacrifice.

Trivia and Interesting Facts about Araunah

- The dual names “Araunah” and “Ornan” reflect variations in biblical manuscripts and translations. - The purchase of the threshing floor is one of the few instances in the Bible where the cost of a sacred site is explicitly recorded. - Araunah’s threshing floor was not only a place of atonement but also a foreshadowing of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for sin. - The association of Araunah’s site with Mount Moriah connects it to Abraham’s act of faith in Genesis 22, deepening its theological resonance. - Archaeological and traditional accounts identify the site of Araunah’s threshing floor with the modern-day Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a location of enduring religious significance.