ORNAN (Heb. 'Ornān; in II Sam. 24:16–25 Vulg. Areuna, Heb. 'Arawnāh). — Name of Hurrian or Hittite origin, belonging to a Jebusite who lived in Jerusalem in the time of David and owned a threshing floor on the highest point
(photo Garrabello)
OROLOGIO — Automaton of the clock of Burgos Cathedral, called “The Flycatcher” (16th century).
of Mount Moriah. During the pestilence caused by the census ordered by David, the avenging angel was seen by the King near that threshing floor. He immediately purchased it from the Jebusite for the price of 50 shekels (a different figure, but an unlikely one, appears in Paralipomeni), and built an altar there upon which he offered sacrifices; and the plague ceased (II Sam. 24:16–25; I Par. 21:15–28). The Temple was subsequently built by Solomon on the site of that altar.