CHAP. XXVII. Mount Moriah. (Book 27)
WHerefore a 1.1 is it called Mount Moriah? R. Levi bar Chama, and R. Chaninah differ about this matter. One saith 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Because thence instruction should go forth to Israel: The other saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Because thence should go forth fear to the Nations of the world.
b 1.2 It is a Tradition received by all, that the place where David built an Altar in the Thresh∣ing floor of Arauna, was the place where Abraham built his, upon which he bound Isaac; where Noah built his, when he went out of the Ark: that in the same place was the Altar, up∣on which Cain and Abel offered; that Adam offered there when he was created; and that he was created from thence. The Wise men say, He had the same place of Expiation, as he had of Creation.
Mount Moriah was so seated, that c 1.3 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the City in the manner of a Theatre lay about the Temple: on this side Sion, then Acra, and a little on the back of Bezetha.
d 1.4 The Mount of the Temple (that is the place where the buildings of the Temple were) was a square of five hundred cubits (see Ezek. XLII. 16, 17.) compassed with a most noble wall, and that fortified (shall I say?) with double Galleries or Halls, or adorned with them, or both? It went out beyond this wall towards the North West corner to such a dimension, that there the Tower Antonia was built, of most renowned workmanship and story.
The whole space of the Courts was hollow under ground: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. e 1.5 And the whole Court stood upon arches and pillars, that so no Sepulchre might be made within this sacred space, whereby either the holy things or the people might gather pollution.