The Bible indicates that Solomon built the Temple atop the threshing floor his father had purchased from Araunah the Jebusite, though it must surely have extended far beyond it. 2 Chronicles 31:1, “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 place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” 2 Samuel 24:16-24 relates the events surrounding this purchase by David.

Mount Moriah is the location where Abraham was directed by God to go and offer Issac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:2). The powerful significance of Abraham’s faithfulness certainly explains why God would direct his Temple to be built at this location.

Solomon’s temple, the rebuilt temple of Ezra (Ezra 5:3-11), and the great temple built by King Herod are associated with this location. 

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is Mount Moriah and is recognized as the traditional location of these three temples by the vast majority of Jews and Christians today. 

A prediction concerning the tribe of Benjamin was made through Moses, “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders,” Deuteronomy 33:12.

This has reference chiefly to the favored and honored position the tribe would occupy. It is intimated that the temple, where Jehovah would dwell, would be situated within the territory of this tribe. This was the case. Jerusalem, the holy city, was in the lot of Benjamin (Joshua 18:28).

Though Zion, the city of David, is supposed to belong to Judah, yet Mount Moriah on which the temple was built, was in Benjamin’s portion. God Himself is said to ‘dwell between his shoulders’ because the temple was positioned on the mount as the head of man over his shoulders.

Some confuse Mount Moriah with Mount Zion. Mount Zion has biblical importance, but its actual location is not a specific mountain. It has spiritual implications depending on the context in which it is found. The first reference and most accurate historical clue to the general location of Mount Zion is found in 1 Chronicles 11:5, “The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, You shall not enter here. Nevertheless, David took the mountain stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David).” Symbolically, the term “Mount Zion” has come to stand for the special care and attention of God as first expressed by David and carried through the Scriptures.