The fascinating biblical story of the binding of Isaac by his father Abraham (traditionally, Aqedah; Gen. 22:1-19) is undoubtedly one of the masterpieces of the ancient Israelites' literary heritage. It is a breathtaking example of a short story (fourteen to nineteen verses altogether), 1 rich in content, from which arises numerous demanding questions. 2 Moreover, though the story seems simple, it is very complicated. It is subject to several possible interpretations and perspectives spanning all times and cultures. 3 It engenders genuine 1 The current Masoretic version of the story consists of nineteen verses (Gen. 22:1-19). However, the original story was even shorter, containing only the vv. 1-14a+19a; see in detail I.
The present article is an attempt to clarify the relationship of the place where Isaac was bound with the site of Solomon's Temple, and that of the “land of Moriah” ([Gen 22:2]) with “Mount Moriah” ([2 Chr 3:1]) in Hebrew Bible historiography. It will also suggest an explanation both for the failure of 1 Kings 6 to give the precise location of the Temple and for the fact that such details are to be found in the parallel passage, 2 Chronicles 3.
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