Topical Encyclopedia High places, often referred to in the Hebrew Bible, are elevated sites traditionally used for worship and religious rituals. These locations, typically situated on hills or raised platforms, became synonymous with idolatrous practices, particularly among the Israelites, who were repeatedly admonished for their use of such sites in the worship of foreign gods.Biblical References and Historical Context The concept of high places is introduced early in the biblical narrative. Initially, these sites were not exclusively associated with idolatry. For instance, the patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, built altars on elevated sites to worship Yahweh (Genesis 12:8; 22:2-4). However, as the Israelites settled in Canaan, high places increasingly became centers for the worship of Canaanite deities, such as Baal and Asherah, leading to their negative connotation. The Book of Numbers records God's command to the Israelites to destroy the high places upon entering the Promised Land: "But you are to demolish their altars, smash their sacred stones, and cut down their Asherah poles" (Numbers 33:52). Despite this clear directive, the Israelites frequently failed to eradicate these sites, leading to spiritual and moral decline. Idolatrous Practices and Condemnation High places were often equipped with altars, sacred stones, and Asherah poles, facilitating various forms of pagan worship, including sacrifices and ritual prostitution. The Book of Kings provides numerous accounts of Israelite kings who either tolerated or actively participated in these practices. For example, King Solomon, despite his wisdom, succumbed to idolatry by building high places for the gods of his foreign wives (1 Kings 11:7-8). The prophets consistently condemned the use of high places, viewing them as a direct violation of the covenant with Yahweh. The prophet Jeremiah lamented, "For the sons of Judah have done evil in My sight, declares the LORD. They have set up their abominations in the house that bears My Name, to defile it" (Jeremiah 7:30). Such denunciations highlight the spiritual adultery represented by these sites. Reform and Removal Efforts Throughout Israel's history, several kings undertook religious reforms to eliminate high places and restore proper worship. King Hezekiah is noted for his zealous 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 were comprehensive, as he "defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense" (2 Kings 23:8). Despite these efforts, the persistence of high places underscores the Israelites' struggle with idolatry and syncretism. The recurring theme of high places in the biblical narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising true worship with pagan practices. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, high places symbolize the human tendency to elevate personal desires and cultural influences above divine commandments. The repeated failure to remove these sites reflects a broader spiritual battle between fidelity to God and the allure of worldly practices. The biblical injunctions against high places emphasize the necessity of exclusive devotion to Yahweh, as articulated in the Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4). In summary, high places in the Bible represent more than mere physical locations; they embody the spiritual conflict between idolatry and the worship of the one true God. The narrative of high places serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining purity in worship and the dangers of allowing cultural and religious syncretism to infiltrate the faith community. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 22:41And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that there he might see the utmost part of the people. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 11:7 1 Kings 12:31 1 Kings 14:23 1 Kings 15:14 1 Kings 22:43 2 Kings 17:9,29 Jeremiah 7:31 Library Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... The Second Commandment Chapter xxviii Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ... The Council of Jerusalem. Chapter xii The Mystery Is God in the Camp? Chapter xxxv The Sixth vision "On Earth" Resources Why did Solomon worship at a high place? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a high Sabbath? | GotQuestions.org Did the high priest have a rope tied to him when he entered the Holy of Holies? | 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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