Topical Encyclopedia High places, known in Hebrew as "bamot," are elevated sites often associated with worship and religious rituals in the ancient Near East, including Israel. These sites are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament and hold significant theological and historical importance.Biblical References and Description High places were typically located on hills or elevated ground and were used for various religious practices. They often included altars, sacred stones, or wooden poles known as Asherah poles. The Bible first mentions high places in the context of Canaanite worship, where they were used to honor deities such as Baal and Asherah. In the Book of Numbers, Balaam is brought to a high place to curse Israel: "So he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar" (Numbers 23:14). This illustrates the use of high places for sacrificial offerings. Israelite Use and Reforms Initially, high places were not exclusively condemned in Israelite worship. Before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, high places were used for worshiping Yahweh. For instance, Samuel offered sacrifices at high places (1 Samuel 9:12-14), and Solomon initially worshiped at the high place in Gibeon, where the tabernacle was located (1 Kings 3:4). However, as the centralization of worship in Jerusalem became a theological priority, high places became associated with idolatry and syncretism. The Deuteronomic reform, emphasized in Deuteronomy 12:2-5, called for the destruction of high places: "Tear down completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree." Several kings of Judah undertook reforms to eliminate high places. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts: "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles" (2 Kings 18:4). Similarly, King Josiah's reforms included the desecration of high places: "He also tore down the altars at the high places that the kings of Judah had built" (2 Kings 23:12). Theological Significance The high places represent a recurring theme of Israel's struggle with idolatry and the temptation to adopt pagan practices. They symbolize the tension between the worship of Yahweh and the allure of surrounding cultures. The biblical narrative often uses high places to illustrate the consequences of disobedience and the need for covenant faithfulness. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel condemned the high places for leading Israel astray. Jeremiah 7:31 states, "They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter My mind." Archaeological and Cultural Context Archaeological findings have uncovered numerous high places throughout Israel and the surrounding regions, providing insight into their construction and use. These sites often included altars, standing stones, and sometimes small temples. The presence of high places in various cultures highlights their widespread role in ancient religious practices. In summary, high places in the Bible serve as a powerful symbol of Israel's religious history, reflecting both the legitimate worship of Yahweh in earlier times and the subsequent idolatrous practices that led to divine judgment. The biblical call to destroy high places underscores the importance of exclusive devotion to God and the rejection of idolatry. ATS Bible Dictionary High PlacesThe ancient Canaanites, and other nations, worshipped the heavenly bodies and their idols upon hills, mountains, and artificial elevations. The Israelites were commanded to destroy these places of idol worship, De 12:2, but instead of this, they imitated the heathen, and at first worshipped Jehovah in high places, 1 Samuel 9:12 1 Kings 3:4, and afterwards idols, 1 Kings 11:7 2 Kings 17:10,11. Here also they built chapels or temples, "houses of the high places," 1 Kings 13:32 2 Kings 17:29, and had regular priests, 1 Kings 12:32 2 Kings 17:32. Different groves were sacred to different gods; and the high places were inseparably linked to idolatry. Hence one reason why Jehovah required the festivals and sacrifices of the Jews to be centered at his temple in Jerusalem; that the people of the living and only true God might be delivered from the temptations of the groves, and witness as one man against idolatry. The prophets reproach the Israelites for worshipping on the high places; the destroying of which was a duty, but the honor of performing it is given to few princes in Scripture, though several of them were zealous for the law. Before the temple was built, the high places were not absolutely contrary to the law, provided God only was adored there. Under the judges, they seem to have been tolerated in some exceptional cases; and Samuel offered sacrifice in several places where the ark was not present. Even in David's time, the people sacrificed to the Lord at Shiloh, Jerusalem, and Gibeon. The high places were much frequented in the kingdom of Israel; and on these hills they often adored idols, and committed a thousand abominations. See BAMOTH and GROVES. Strong's Hebrew 1181. baale bamoth -- lords of (the) high places... lords of (the) high places. Transliteration: baale bamoth Phonetic Spelling: (bah-al-ay' baw-moth') Short Definition: heights. ... lords of the high places. ... /hebrew/1181.htm - 6k 1116. bamah -- a high place 7413. ramah -- height, high place 4791. marom -- height 1921. hadar -- to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell Library Spiritual Religion in High Places --Rous, Vane, and Sterry Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory Prayer and Humility The Earlier Hebrew Histories. Feeding in the Ways Jehoshaphat's Reform Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity. Be Strong in the Lord Political Religion A Soul's Tragedy A Kingdom's Epitaph Resources What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is meant by High Church and Low Church? | GotQuestions.org What is Jesus' High Priestly Prayer? | GotQuestions.org High: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics High Places of the Canaanites to be Destroyed High Places used for Idolatrous Worship High Places: A Term Used to Describe Places of Worship High Places: Adorned With Tapestry High Places: Built By Jeroboam High Places: Built By Manasseh High Places: Built By People of Israel High Places: Built By People of Judah High Places: Destroyed: Asa, Partially High Places: Destroyed: Hezekiah High Places: Destroyed: Jehoshaphat High Places: Destroyed: Josiah High Places: Enchantments Used Upon High Places: God Sometimes Worshipped On High Places: Hezekiah Destroys High Places: Jehoshaphat Destroys High Places: Licentious Practices At High Places: Not Removed: Amaziah High Places: Not Removed: Azariah High Places: Not Removed: Jehoash High Places: Not Removed: Jotham High Places: Priests Ordained For High Places: Sacrifices and Incense offered to Idols Upon High Places: Signify a Place of Idolatrous Worship High Places: Surrounded With Groves High Places: The Idolatrous, to be Destroyed High Places: The Jews: Built, in all Their Streets High Places: The Jews: Built, in Their Cities High Places: The Jews: Condemned for Building High Places: The Jews: Provoked God With High Places: The Jews: Punished For High Places: The Jews: Threatened With Destruction of The High Priest was Called: God's High Priest The High Priest was Called: Ruler of the People The High Priest was Called: The Priest The High Priest were for Beauty and Ornament The High Priest: Assisted by a Deputy The High Priest: Consecrated to his office The High Priest: Duties of Appointing Priests to offices The High Priest: Duties of Bearing Before the Lord the Names of Israel for a Memorial The High Priest: Duties of Blessing the People The High Priest: Duties of Consecrating the Levites The High Priest: Duties of Enquiring of God by Urim and Thummim The High Priest: Duties of Lighting the Sacred Lamps The High Priest: Duties of Making Atonement in the Most Holy Place Once a Year The High Priest: Duties of Offering Gifts and Sacrifices The High Priest: Duties of Presiding in the Superior Court The High Priest: Duties of Taking Charge of Money Collected in the Sacred Treasury The High Priest: Duties of Taking the Census of the People The High Priest: Family of Eli Degraded from office of, for Bad Conduct The High Priest: Forbidden to Mourn for Any The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Being Made Without an Oath The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Being of the Order of Aaron The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Entering Into Holiest Every Year The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Needing to Make Atonement for his own Sins The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in not Being Able to Continue The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Offering oftentimes the Same Sacrifices The High Priest: Made by Divine Wisdom Given to Bezaleel The High Priest: Needed to Sacrifice for Himself The High Priest: Next in Rank to the King The High Priest: Office of, Made Annual by the Romans The High Priest: Office of, Promised to the Posterity of Phinehas for his Zeal The High Priest: Often Exercised Chief Civil Power The High Priest: Sometimes Deposed by the Kings The High Priest: Sometimes Enabled to Prophesy The High Priest: Special Garments of Breastplate The High Priest: Special Garments of Broidered Coat The High Priest: Special Garments of Ephod With Its Curious Girdle The High Priest: Special Garments of Girdle The High Priest: Special Garments of Linen Mitre The High Priest: Special Garments of Plate or Crown of Gold The High Priest: Special Garments of Robe of the Ephod The High Priest: Specially Called of God The High Priest: The Deputy of Called the Second Priest The High Priest: The Deputy of had Oversight of the Levites The High Priest: The Deputy of had Oversight of the Tabernacle The High Priest: The office of, Hereditary The High Priest: To be Tender and Compassionate The High Priest: To Marry a Virgin of Aaron's Family The High Priest: Typified Christ in Alone Entering Into Most Holy Place The High Priest: Typified Christ in Bearing the Names of Israel Upon his Heart The High Priest: Typified Christ in Being Called of God The High Priest: Typified Christ in Being Liable to Temptation The High Priest: Typified Christ in Blessing The High Priest: Typified Christ in Compassion and Sympathy for the Weak and Ignorant The High Priest: Typified Christ in His Appointment The High Priest: Typified Christ in His Title The High Priest: Typified Christ in Holiness of office The High Priest: Typified Christ in Interceding The High Priest: Typified Christ in Making Atonement The High Priest: Typified Christ in Marrying a Virgin The High Priest: Typified Christ in Performing by Himself all the Services on Day of Atonement The High Priest: Typified Christ in Splendid Dress The High Priest: Wore the Ordinary Priest's Garments when Making Atonement In The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration: Descended to his Successors The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration: Worn Seven Days After Consecration Related Terms |
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