A mountain, the name of which is well known to the readers of the Bible. Here Abraham was directed by the Lord for the offering up of his son. (See Gen. xxii. throughout.) The name itself is a compound of Mor and Jah, bitterness, or myrrh of the Lord. Here, in after-ages, the temple of Jerusalem was built by Solomon. (2 Chronicles 3:1.)
It will not be unpleasant to the reader if I add under this article, that Moriah, in the intended offering of Isaac, being typical of Christ and his Calvary, as well as Isaac himself, may serve at all times to furnish sweet subject of meditation, The myrrh or Moriah of the Lord becomes no unapt resemblance of Jesus, because Christ's suffering, like myrrh, had a bitter taste, though fragrant smell. "In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen." And the bruises of Jesus, when it pleased JEHOVAH to put him to grief, while they affect in contemplation the heart of the redeemed, yet, like sweet dropping myrrh, they distil all spiritual blessings in a fragrancy most refreshing and delightful, in pardon, mercy, peace, grace, faith and all the blessings of the covenant. Hence the church cries out, "All thy garments smell of myrth, aloes, and Cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad." (Psalms 45:8.)