Topical Bible: High Places: Built By Jehoram

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High places, in the context of ancient Israel, refer to elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals. These sites were typically located on hills or raised platforms and were associated with both the worship of Yahweh and the idolatrous practices condemned by the prophets and religious reformers of Israel. The construction and use of high places were a recurring issue throughout the history of the Israelite and Judahite monarchies, often reflecting the spiritual state of the nation and its leaders.

Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, reigned as king of Judah from approximately 848 to 841 BC. His reign is noted for a significant departure from the religious reforms instituted by his father, Jehoshaphat, who had sought to bring the nation back to the worship of Yahweh alone. Jehoram's actions, particularly the construction of high places, are recorded in 2 Chronicles 21:11: "Jehoram had also built high places on the hills of Judah; he had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray."

Jehoram's decision to build high places was a direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel, which commanded exclusive worship of Yahweh and prohibited idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5; Deuteronomy 12:2-4). The high places he constructed became centers for idol worship and pagan practices, leading the people of Judah into spiritual adultery. This act of apostasy was not only a personal failing of Jehoram but also had national implications, as it encouraged the people to turn away from the worship of the one true God.

The influence of Jehoram's wife, Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, is often cited as a contributing factor to his idolatrous practices. The marriage alliance with the house of Ahab brought the corrupt religious practices of the northern kingdom of Israel into Judah, further exacerbating the spiritual decline initiated by Jehoram's construction of high places.

The consequences of Jehoram's actions were severe. The prophet Elijah sent a letter to Jehoram, warning him of impending judgment due to his idolatry and the murder of his brothers (2 Chronicles 21:12-15). The judgment came in the form of invasions by the Philistines and Arabians, who carried away all his possessions, his sons, and his wives, leaving only his youngest son, Jehoahaz (also known as Ahaziah). Furthermore, Jehoram suffered from a painful and incurable disease, leading to his death in disgrace (2 Chronicles 21:16-20).

Jehoram's construction of high places serves as a cautionary tale within the biblical narrative, illustrating the dangers of abandoning the worship of Yahweh for idolatry. His reign is a stark reminder of the spiritual and moral decline that can occur when leaders turn away from God's commandments and lead their people astray.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 21:11
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jehoshaphat
... wrought, the king "took away the high places and groves ... Jehoshaphat waxed great
exceedingly; and he built in Judah ... the marriage of his son, Jehoram, to Athaliah ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... CHAPTER 3. How Herod Upon His Making Aristobulus High Priest Took ... Upon The Building
Of Cesarea; And How He Built And Adorned Many Other Places After A ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Prophet Joel.
... carried away by the Philistines under Jehoram; and, hence ... locusts, upon which the
hypothesis is built, is untenable ... ver.9 by the words: "The high places of Isaac ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... for them in their extremity "rivers in high places, and fountains ... chaps.1, 2). He
continued in high honor at ... by him in chap.1:54""they built the abomination ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... but one recognised habitation"the temple built for Him ... to a letter from Elijah to
Jehoram of Juda ... the listening crowd with wonder: "The high places of Isaac ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Questions.
... How were the High Priests appointed after the murder of ... long was it since the walls
of Jerusalem had been built? ... 6. How did she do honour to the holy places? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... which possesses several vineyards held in high estimation ... for the reading of this
name, places the country ... He constructed a palace there, built storehouses for ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm