Topical Encyclopedia High places, in the biblical context, refer to elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals. These locations were frequently associated with idolatrous practices, contrary to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The term "high places" is derived from the Hebrew word "bamah," which signifies a height or elevated area. Throughout the Old Testament, high places are depicted as centers of pagan worship, where the Israelites often fell into the sin of idolatry, despite God's explicit commands to the contrary.Biblical References and Context High places were commonly used by the Canaanites and other neighboring cultures for the worship of their deities. These sites typically featured altars, sacred stones, and wooden poles or Asherah poles, dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The Israelites, upon entering the Promised Land, were commanded to destroy these high places to prevent the corruption of their worship and to maintain the purity of their devotion to Yahweh. In Deuteronomy 12:2-3 , God commands the Israelites: "You must completely destroy 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. Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn up their Asherah poles. Cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places." Despite these clear instructions, the Israelites frequently failed to remove the high places, leading to periods of spiritual decline and judgment. The Book of Judges and the historical books of Kings and Chronicles document the recurring cycle of idolatry and repentance among the Israelites, often linked to the presence of high places. Kings and High Places The reigns of various kings of Israel and Judah are often evaluated based on their actions concerning high places. King Solomon, despite his wisdom, is noted for building high places for the foreign gods of his many wives, 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 abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods." Conversely, some kings are commended for their efforts to eradicate high places. King Hezekiah is praised for his reforms in 2 Kings 18:4 : "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it." However, even righteous kings like Jehoshaphat and Asa, despite their devotion to God, are noted for not fully removing the high places, as seen in 1 Kings 22:43 and 1 Kings 15:14 , respectively. Prophetic Condemnation The prophets of Israel frequently condemned the high places as symbols of Israel's unfaithfulness. The prophet Jeremiah, for instance, speaks against the high places in Jeremiah 19:5 : "They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it ever enter My mind." Ezekiel also denounces the high places, highlighting their role in leading the people away from God. In Ezekiel 6:3-4 , the prophet declares, "You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. Your altars will be demolished and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will cast down your slain before your idols." Theological Significance The persistent issue of high places in Israel's history underscores the struggle between true worship and idolatry. The high places symbolize the temptation to conform to surrounding cultures and the ease with which the people of God could be led astray. The biblical narrative consistently calls for the destruction of high places as a means of purifying worship and maintaining covenant faithfulness to Yahweh. Nave's Topical Index Leviticus 26:30And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcasses on the carcasses of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. Nave's Topical Index Numbers 33:52 Library National Apostasy Deuteronomy The Book of the Law Ezekiel Asa The Fall of the House of Ahab Jehoshaphat Manasseh's Sin and Repentance Reform Jeremiah 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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