Topical Encyclopedia High places in the biblical context refer to elevated sites, often on hills or mountains, where worship and religious rituals were conducted. These sites were frequently associated with pagan practices and idolatry, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The destruction of high places was a significant aspect of religious reform in ancient Israel and Judah, as leaders sought to centralize worship in Jerusalem and eliminate idolatrous practices.Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah, is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to bring the nation back to the worship of the Lord. His reign is detailed in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, where his commitment to God and his attempts to rid the land of idolatry are highlighted. Jehoshaphat's Reforms: Jehoshaphat ascended to the throne of Judah around 873 BC and reigned for 25 years. He is described as a king who "walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 20:32). His reign was marked by a series of religious reforms aimed at purifying the worship practices of Judah. One of Jehoshaphat's significant actions was his attempt to remove the high places. The high places were often associated with the worship of foreign gods and were a persistent problem throughout the history of Israel and Judah. Jehoshaphat's efforts to eliminate these sites were part of his broader campaign to restore true worship. Biblical Account: The Bible records Jehoshaphat's actions concerning the high places in several passages. In 2 Chronicles 17:6, it is noted, "His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah" . This verse highlights Jehoshaphat's dedication to God and his proactive measures to cleanse the land of idolatrous symbols and practices. However, the account in 1 Kings 22:43 provides a nuanced view: "Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn aside from them, doing what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense on the high places" . This suggests that while Jehoshaphat made significant efforts to reform worship, he faced challenges in completely eradicating the high places, as the people continued to use them for sacrifices. Religious and Political Context: Jehoshaphat's reign was characterized by a strong commitment to the worship of Yahweh and a desire to lead his people in righteousness. His reforms were not only religious but also had political implications, as they sought to unify the nation under the worship of the one true God and strengthen the central authority of the temple in Jerusalem. Despite his efforts, the persistence of high places indicates the deep-rooted nature of these practices among the people. The high places often held cultural and traditional significance, making their complete removal a challenging task for any reforming king. Jehoshaphat's legacy as a reformer is significant, as he laid the groundwork for future kings who would continue the struggle against idolatry and strive to bring the nation back to the covenantal faithfulness required by God. His reign serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against idolatry and the importance of steadfast devotion to the Lord. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 17:6And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Jehoshaphat The Earlier Hebrew Histories. National Apostasy The Fall of the House of Ahab The Nations of the South-East The Kingdom Op Judah. Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ... The Destruction of Jerusalem. The Destruction of Jerusalem How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the ... 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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