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 could include altars, shrines, or temples and were typically located on hills or raised platforms. The practice of using high places for worship was common among the Canaanites and other neighboring peoples, and it often involved the worship of deities other than Yahweh, the God of Israel.Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, was the king of Judah who reigned for 55 years, from approximately 697 to 642 BC. His reign is noted in the Bible for its significant departure from the religious reforms instituted by his father, Hezekiah, who had worked to centralize worship in Jerusalem and eliminate idolatry. Manasseh's actions are detailed in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33, where he is described as one of the most idolatrous kings in Judah's history. According to 2 Kings 21:3 , "For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He also bowed down to all the host of heaven and served them." This passage highlights Manasseh's restoration of the high places, which had been previously dismantled by Hezekiah in an effort to purify the worship of Yahweh and eliminate pagan influences. Manasseh's construction of high places was not limited to the worship of Yahweh but extended to the veneration of other deities, including Baal and Asherah. The high places became centers for syncretistic worship, blending elements of Canaanite religion with the worship of Yahweh, which was strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law. Deuteronomy 12:2-4 commands the Israelites to "destroy completely all the places on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every spreading tree, where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods." In addition to rebuilding the high places, Manasseh's reign was marked by other forms of idolatry and abominations. 2 Kings 21:4-5 states, "He built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, 'In Jerusalem I will put My Name.' In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven." This indicates that Manasseh not only restored high places but also desecrated the temple in Jerusalem by introducing altars for celestial bodies, further violating the sanctity of the worship space dedicated to Yahweh. The consequences of Manasseh's actions were severe, as they led to spiritual and moral decline in Judah. The biblical narrative attributes the eventual downfall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, in part, to the sins of Manasseh. 2 Kings 21:11-12 records the LORD's pronouncement: "Because Manasseh king of Judah has committed these abominations and has done more evil than the Amorites who preceded him, and has led Judah into sin with his idols, therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of all who hear of it will tingle.'" Despite his grievous sins, the account in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 provides a glimpse of hope and redemption. It narrates that during his captivity in Babylon, Manasseh humbled himself and sought the LORD, who was moved by his entreaty and restored him to his kingdom. This act of repentance, however, did not fully undo the damage caused by his earlier actions, as the high places continued to be a stumbling block for the people of Judah even after his reign. The account of Manasseh and the high places serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 21:3For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 33:3 Library Concerning Sanballat and Manasseh, and the Temple which they Built ... Manasseh's Sin and Repentance National Apostasy Manasseh Cestius Sends Ambassadors to Nero. The People of Damascus Slay ... Reform The Prophet --His Youth and his Call. Chronicles Nineveh. How the Hebrews Fought with the Midianites, and Overcame Them. 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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