Topical Encyclopedia High places, or "bamot" in Hebrew, were elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals in ancient Israel and surrounding regions. These sites typically included altars and were associated with both legitimate and illegitimate worship practices. The high places built by Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, hold particular significance in biblical history due to their role in leading Israel into idolatry.Historical Context Jeroboam, originally a servant of King Solomon, became the ruler of the northern tribes of Israel following the division of the united monarchy after Solomon's death. The division was a result of Solomon's idolatry and heavy taxation, which led to God's judgment and the subsequent secession of the ten northern tribes (1 Kings 11:29-31). Jeroboam's reign began around 931 BC, and he sought to establish a distinct religious identity for his kingdom, separate from the southern kingdom of Judah, where Jerusalem and the temple were located. Jeroboam's Religious Innovations To prevent his subjects from traveling to Jerusalem for worship, Jeroboam instituted a new religious system. He established two main centers of worship at Bethel and Dan, strategically located at the southern and northern ends of his kingdom. At these sites, he erected golden calves, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). This act was a direct violation of the first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of idols (Exodus 20:3-4). Jeroboam's high places were not merely alternative worship sites; they represented a significant departure from the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. By setting up these high places, Jeroboam led Israel into syncretism, blending the worship of Yahweh with Canaanite religious practices. This syncretism was condemned by the prophets and is frequently cited as a reason for the eventual downfall of the northern kingdom. Biblical References The Bible provides several accounts of Jeroboam's actions and their consequences. In 1 Kings 12:31-33, it is recorded that Jeroboam not only built high places but also appointed priests from among all the people, who were not Levites, further deviating from the divinely ordained priesthood. He also instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, similar to the Feast of Tabernacles in Judah, but of his own devising. The prophet Ahijah foretold the dire consequences of Jeroboam's idolatry, declaring that God would "strike down the house of Jeroboam" (1 Kings 14:10). This prophecy was fulfilled as Jeroboam's dynasty was eventually eradicated, and the northern kingdom suffered from instability and idolatry until its conquest by Assyria in 722 BC. Theological Implications Jeroboam's establishment of high places is a poignant example of the dangers of compromising true worship for political or pragmatic reasons. His actions serve as a warning against the temptation to alter or dilute the worship of God to suit human desires or political expediency. The high places became a recurring theme in the history of Israel, often associated with apostasy and divine judgment. Throughout the biblical narrative, the high places built by Jeroboam are consistently condemned as a sin that led Israel away from the covenant relationship with God. They symbolize the broader struggle between faithfulness to God's commands and the allure of cultural and religious assimilation. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 12:31And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Political Religion National Apostasy Concerning Jeroboam King of Israel and Jonah the Prophet; and How ... "This Thing is from Me" How, Upon the Death of Solomon the People Forsook his Son Rehoboam ... Nineveh. The Earlier Hebrew Histories. The Magnificence of Prayer Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed. Kings 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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