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 were frequently associated with the worship of various deities, including Baal, a prominent Canaanite god. The worship of Baal at high places is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, reflecting the spiritual struggles and idolatrous practices that plagued Israel throughout its history.Baal Worship in Canaanite Religion Baal was a major deity in the Canaanite pantheon, often associated with fertility, storms, and agriculture. The name "Baal" means "lord" or "master," and he was considered a powerful god who controlled rain and harvests. The Canaanites believed that Baal's favor was essential for agricultural success, and thus, his worship was deeply integrated into their society. Israel's Struggle with Baal Worship The Israelites' encounter with Baal worship began as they entered the Promised Land, a region heavily influenced by Canaanite culture and religion. Despite God's clear commandments against idolatry, the Israelites frequently fell into the temptation of worshiping Baal, especially at high places. These sites were often located on hills or elevated platforms, making them visible and accessible for communal worship. In the Book of Judges, the Israelites repeatedly turned to Baal worship, leading to cycles of oppression and deliverance. Judges 2:11-13 states, "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger because they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths." Prophetic Condemnation and Reforms The prophets of Israel consistently condemned the worship of Baal and the use of high places. Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is one of the most dramatic accounts of this conflict. In 1 Kings 18:21 , Elijah challenges the people, saying, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him." This event culminated in the demonstration of God's power and the subsequent execution of Baal's prophets. Throughout the history of the divided kingdom, various kings attempted to reform Israel and Judah by removing high places and eradicating Baal worship. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem and destroy high places, as recorded in 2 Kings 18:4 : "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, 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." Theological Implications The persistent allure of Baal worship and high places highlights the Israelites' struggle with faithfulness to Yahweh. The high places served as a tangible representation of Israel's spiritual adultery, drawing them away from the covenant relationship with God. The biblical narrative underscores the importance of exclusive worship of Yahweh and the rejection of all forms of idolatry. The worship of Baal at high places serves as a cautionary tale for believers, emphasizing the need for vigilance against idolatry and the importance of wholehearted devotion to God. The biblical injunctions against high places and Baal worship remind the faithful of the call to worship God in spirit and truth, as articulated in John 4:24 : "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Torrey's Topical Textbook 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Strong's Hebrew 1181. baale bamoth -- lords of (the) high places... heights. Word Origin from Baal and bamah Definition lords of (the) high places NASB Word Usage heights (1). lords of the high places. ... /hebrew/1181.htm - 6k Library Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory National Apostasy Jehoshaphat's Reform Political Religion A Kingdom's Epitaph 'Fruit which is Death' List of Characters and Places The Tears of Christ. The Fall of the House of Ahab Jeremiah and Deuteronomy. (Chs. vii, viii. 8, xi. ) 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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