Topical Bible: High Places: Licentious Practices At

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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 were typically located on hills or raised platforms and were originally intended for the worship of Yahweh. However, over time, they became associated with idolatrous practices and licentious behavior, drawing the ire of the prophets and reformers in Israel.

The Bible frequently condemns the use of high places for idolatrous worship and immoral activities. In the Book of Leviticus, God commands the Israelites to destroy the high places of the Canaanites, warning them against adopting the detestable practices associated with these sites (Leviticus 26:30). Despite these clear instructions, the Israelites often fell into the temptation of using high places for pagan worship, which included licentious practices.

One of the most notable examples of such practices is found during the reign of King Solomon. Although Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, he also constructed high places for the worship of foreign gods, influenced by his foreign wives. This led to the introduction of idolatrous and immoral practices in Israel, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:7-8: "At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek, the detestable god of the Ammonites."

The prophets of Israel, such as Hosea and Jeremiah, frequently denounced the licentious practices at high places. Hosea 4:13 highlights the moral corruption associated with these sites: "They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, because their shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery." This passage underscores the connection between idolatry and sexual immorality, which was rampant at these high places.

Reformers like King Hezekiah and King Josiah took significant steps to eradicate the high places and their associated practices. Hezekiah is noted for his efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem and eliminate the high places, as described in 2 Kings 18:4: "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles." Josiah's reforms went even further, as he defiled the high places and broke down the altars, as recorded in 2 Kings 23:13-14.

Despite these efforts, the allure of high places persisted throughout Israel's history, often leading the people away from the worship of Yahweh and into practices that were both idolatrous and morally corrupt. The high places serve as a poignant reminder of the constant struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptation of surrounding pagan cultures.

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Ezekiel 16:24-43
That you have also built to you an eminent place, and have made you an high place in every street.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Message of Warning and Entreaty
... household of Chloe, a Christian family of high repute in ... to apply at all times, in
all places, and under ... had so far backslidden that his licentious course was ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 29 a message of.htm

The Life of James Stuart, Earl of Moray.
... which he knew he possessed in a very high degree, and ... to them, who were dissipated
and licentious in an ... They fixed up libels in different places, full of dark ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of james stuart.htm

Byzantine Empresses Theodora ii. , Theophano, Zoe, Theodora iii.
... expelled from their sees, and their places were filled by ... Michael had thrown away
the high privileges of ... to the story of these licentious princesses, revealing ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiii byzantine empresses theodora ii.htm

Jew and Gentile
... especially the Greeks, were extremely licentious, and there ... brethren as the vicegerent
of the Most High. ... churches, with chosen delegates from various places. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 19 jew and gentile.htm

Reflections Upon the Preceding Account.
... and of their companions, at the several places to which ... possess these qualities in
a high degree: for ... Polytheism were gay, festive, and licentious; the rites ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section ii reflections upon the.htm

The Prodigal and his Brother.
... He was searching out in revolting places that which had ... he that refuses to work out
that high destiny is a ... gladness be the reward of a licentious life, "Verily ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xx the prodigal and his.htm

1 Cor. Iv. 6
... they make the whole people sit on high, and so ... For those places too being full of
all senseless excitement ... dancing in a public theatre of licentious youths; and ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xii 1 cor iv.htm

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans
... the final doxology appears in different places in different ... to pray, we remember
God's high purpose for us ... Augustine from free thinking and licentious living to ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xiii the epistle of.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... countenancing much that is profane, licentious and indecent ... that certain Christian
families of high standing in ... evening when more attractive places abounded in ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

Circumstances Related of Origen.
... this has been done in other places unknown to ... greatest respect, and ranked him very
high as a ... custom for philosophers, scandalized by the licentious stories of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xix circumstances related of origen.htm