Topical Encyclopedia High places, known in Hebrew as "bamot," were elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals in ancient Israel and surrounding regions. These sites frequently included altars, sacred stones, and Asherah poles, and were originally intended for the worship of Yahweh. However, over time, they became associated with idolatrous practices and the worship of foreign gods, which was strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law.The reign of King Josiah of Judah (c. 640–609 BC) is particularly notable for his zealous reforms aimed at purifying the worship of Yahweh and eradicating idolatry from the land. Josiah's actions are recorded in 2 Kings 22–23 and 2 Chronicles 34–35, where he is depicted as a king who sought to restore the covenantal faithfulness of Israel to God. Josiah's Reforms and the Destruction of High Places Josiah ascended to the throne at a young age and began to seek the God of his ancestor David in the eighth year of his reign. By the twelfth year, he initiated a campaign to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols, and cast images. The most comprehensive account of Josiah's reforms is found in 2 Kings 23, where his actions are described in detail. Upon discovering the Book of the Law during the temple repairs, Josiah was deeply moved and realized the extent of Judah's deviation from God's commandments. This discovery prompted a nationwide religious reform. As part of these reforms, Josiah ordered the destruction of the high places throughout Judah and even extended his efforts into the former northern kingdom of Israel. 2 Kings 23:13-14 states: "The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones." Josiah's reforms were comprehensive and included the removal of idolatrous priests, the burning of chariots dedicated to the sun, and the defilement of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to prevent child sacrifice. His actions were in direct obedience to the commands found in Deuteronomy, which called for the destruction of all places where the nations served their gods (Deuteronomy 12:2-3). Significance of Josiah's Actions Josiah's destruction of the high places was a significant step in the religious history of Israel. It represented a return to monotheistic worship and a rejection of syncretism that had plagued the nation. His reforms were a fulfillment of the Deuteronomic ideal, emphasizing the centralization of worship in Jerusalem and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. Despite Josiah's efforts, the reforms were short-lived, as subsequent kings did not maintain his level of devotion. Nevertheless, Josiah's actions were highly regarded, and he is remembered as one of the most faithful kings of Judah. His reign is often seen as a high point in the history of Judah's fidelity to God, and his reforms set a standard for religious purity and devotion. Josiah's destruction of the high places serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the dangers of idolatry. His legacy is one of zeal for the Lord and a commitment to restoring true worship among God's people. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 23:8And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and broke down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city. Nave's Topical Index Library The Greater Prophets. And ii. Book ii. Letter cxxxiii. To Ctesiphon. The Land and the People. Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects. Against Jovinianus. The Sixth vision "On Earth" The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: Resources Why is God described as God Most High? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of high places in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What was the biblical role of the high priest? | 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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