HAT-P-23 is a G-type main-sequence star 1192 light-years away. It has a rapid rotation (rotation period equal to 7 days) for its advanced age of 4 billion years, and exhibits a strong starspot activity.^[6] The star may be in the process of being spun up by the giant planet on close orbit.^[7] The star is enriched in heavy elements, having about 140% amount of metals compared to solar abundance.

In 2019, the HAT-P-23 star has received a proper name Moriah and planet HAT-P-23b - Jebus at an international NameExoWorlds contest.^[8] These names mean the ancient name of the mount at the center of Jerusalem city, and ancient (pre-Roman) name of Jerusalem itself, respectively.

In 2010 a transiting hot Jupiter like planet was detected.^[4] It has a measured dayside temperature of 2154±90 K.^[9] The planet is believed to be on an unstable orbit, and expected to be engulfed by its parent star about 7.5^+2.9
_−1.8 million years from now,^[4] although timing measurements of multiple transits since the discovery have been unable to detect any reduction in the orbital period.^[5][10] The planetary orbit is probably aligned with the equatorial plane of the star, misalignment equal to 15±22°.^[11] The color of planetary atmosphere is grey.^[12] The atmosphere is mostly devoid of clouds, and shows tentatively a presence of Titanium(II) oxide.^[13]