The Dome Of The Rock In Jerusalem

by David Padfield

 

The Dome of the Rock, erroneously called the Mosque of Omar, is the best known building in Jerusalem. The building was erected over 1500 years ago by Muslims. According to Jewish tradition the huge rock in the center of the building is the place where Abraham bound and attempted to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22).

When King David arrogantly decided to number the children of Israel, Divine retribution came in the form of a plague (2 Sam. 24). To stay the plague David built an altar on the "threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." Scholars today identify the rock with the threshing floor.