Topical Encyclopedia High places, or "bamot" in Hebrew, were elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals in ancient Israel and Judah. These sites were typically located on hills or raised platforms and were associated with both legitimate and illegitimate worship practices. The people of Judah, like their northern counterparts in Israel, frequently constructed high places, which became a significant point of contention in their relationship with God as outlined in the Hebrew Scriptures.Historical Context and Construction The high places in Judah were often built during periods of syncretism, where the worship of Yahweh was mixed with Canaanite religious practices. These sites typically included altars, sacred stones, and Asherah poles, which were used in the worship of various deities. The construction of high places was a common practice among the surrounding nations, and the people of Judah adopted these customs, despite the clear prohibitions against such practices in the Mosaic Law. Biblical References The Bible provides numerous accounts of the high places built by the people of Judah. In 1 Kings 14:23, it is recorded, "For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree." This verse highlights the widespread nature of these sites and their integration into the religious life of Judah. King Solomon, despite his wisdom, is noted for building high places for the foreign gods of his many wives, leading Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 11:7-8). This act set a precedent that would be followed by subsequent kings, contributing to the spiritual decline of the nation. Reform and Resistance Throughout the history of Judah, several kings attempted to reform the religious practices of the nation by removing high places. King Asa is noted for his efforts to rid the land of idolatry, as recorded in 1 Kings 15:14: "Although he did not remove the high places, Asa's heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days." This indicates that while Asa was committed to the LORD, the high places remained a persistent issue. King Hezekiah took more decisive action, as described in 2 Kings 18:4: "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles." Hezekiah's reforms were significant, as he sought to centralize worship in Jerusalem and eliminate idolatrous practices. However, the reforms were not always lasting. Manasseh, one of Judah's most notorious kings, rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed (2 Kings 21:3). This cyclical pattern of reform and relapse illustrates the deep-rooted nature of high place worship in Judah. Theological Implications The construction and use of high places in Judah had profound theological implications. They represented a departure from the exclusive worship of Yahweh and a violation of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). The high places were a physical manifestation of the people's divided loyalties and spiritual adultery. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah frequently condemned the high places, calling the people back to covenant faithfulness. Isaiah 57:7-8 speaks to the unfaithfulness associated with these sites: "On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices. Behind your doors and your doorposts you have set up your memorial." Legacy and Lessons The legacy of the high places in Judah serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of syncretism and the importance of maintaining pure worship. The repeated cycles of idolatry and reform highlight the need for steadfast devotion to God and adherence to His commandments. The high places, though physically dismantled by some kings, remained a spiritual battleground for the hearts of the people of Judah throughout their history. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 14:23For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Habakkuk-On his Watch-Tower National Apostasy Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory Jeremiah Political Religion Jehoshaphat Oracles on the Edge of Doom. (vii. 16-xviii Passim, xxii, Xlv. ) A Kingdom's Epitaph Manasseh's Sin and Repentance Manner of Covenanting. 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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