### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Môwrîyâh**, represented by `{{H4179}}`, identifies **Moriah**, a specific hill in Palestine. The name is derived from roots meaning "seen of Jah" (`{{H7200}}`, `{{H3068}}`). It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses**, marking it as a location of immense biblical importance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its first appearance, God commands Abraham to travel to the land of **Moriah** `{{H4179}}` and offer his **only** `{{H3173}}` **son** `{{H1121}}`, Isaac, as a **burnt offering** `{{H5930}}` upon **one** `{{H259}}` of the **mountains** `{{H2022}}` there [[Genesis 22:2]]. Centuries later, this same location is explicitly named as the site where **Solomon** `{{H8010}}` **began** `{{H2490}}` to **build** `{{H1129}}` the **house** `{{H1004}}` of the **LORD** `{{H3068}}` in **Jerusalem** `{{H3389}}`. The site is identified as **mount Moriah** `{{H4179}}`, the very **place** `{{H4725}}` where the LORD **appeared** `{{H7200}}` to **David** `{{H1732}}` his **father** `{{H1}}` [[2 Chronicles 3:1]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words highlight the significance of this location:
* `{{H2022}}` **har** (a mountain or range of hills): Moriah is consistently identified as a **mount** `{{H2022}}` or one of a range of **mountains** `{{H2022}}`, establishing it as a high place chosen for divine encounter and worship ([[Genesis 22:2]]; [[2 Chronicles 3:1]]).
* `{{H7200}}` **râʼâh** (to see, appear, provide): This root forms part of Moriah's name. The connection is reinforced when the text states that the LORD **appeared** `{{H7200}}` to David at this location, which was prepared for the temple [[2 Chronicles 3:1]].
* `{{H1004}}` **bayith** (a house): The historical significance of Moriah culminates in it being the site for the **house** `{{H1004}}` of the LORD, transforming it from a place of patriarchal testing into the physical center of Israel's worship [[2 Chronicles 3:1]].
* `{{H1637}}` **gôren** (threshing-floor): The specific spot on Mount Moriah where the temple was built is identified as the **threshingfloor** `{{H1637}}` of **Ornan** `{{H771}}` the **Jebusite** `{{H2983}}`, linking it to a key event in the life of King David [[2 Chronicles 3:1]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4179}}` is profound, as it bridges key moments in salvation history.
* **The Altar of Obedience:** The story of Abraham and Isaac establishes Moriah as the ultimate site of tested faith and sacrificial obedience. The command to offer a beloved and **only** `{{H3173}}` son sets a precedent for the cost of devotion [[Genesis 22:2]].
* **The Place of Divine Presence:** The name "seen of Jah" and the subsequent appearance of the LORD to David mark Moriah as a place of divine revelation. It becomes the chosen location for God's permanent dwelling place among His people, the temple in **Jerusalem** `{{H3389}}` [[2 Chronicles 3:1]].
* **The Foundation of Worship:** By becoming the site of Solomon's Temple, Moriah is consecrated as the location where God's people would bring their **burnt offerings** `{{H5930}}` and sacrifices, centralizing the nation's worship in the place God himself had chosen and revealed.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4179}}` **Moriah** is not merely a geographical name but a cornerstone location in the biblical narrative. It is a place forever defined by God's command, a father's obedience, divine appearance, and its ultimate selection as the site for the **house** `{{H1004}}` of the **LORD** `{{H3068}}`. The two occurrences link the foundational faith of the patriarchs directly to the established worship of the nation of Israel.
TRV