Topical Bible: High Places: Enchantments Used Upon

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Topical Encyclopedia

High places, often referred to in the Bible, were elevated sites where religious rites were performed. These locations were frequently associated with pagan worship and idolatry, practices that were expressly forbidden by God for the Israelites. The use of enchantments and other forms of divination at these high places was a significant concern, as it represented a direct violation of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Biblical Context and Prohibition

The Bible consistently condemns the use of enchantments and divination, particularly in the context of high places. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , God explicitly warns the Israelites against engaging in such practices: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you."

Historical Instances

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites struggled with the temptation to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations, including the use of enchantments at high places. One notable example is found in 2 Kings 17:10-11 , where the Israelites are described as having set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. "They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger."

King Solomon, despite his wisdom, fell into the trap of idolatry later in his reign. 1 Kings 11:7 records, "At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, and for Molech, the abomination of the Ammonites." These high places became centers for pagan worship, including the use of enchantments and other forbidden practices.

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophets of Israel frequently spoke out against the use of high places and the associated enchantments. Jeremiah 19:5 highlights the severity of these practices: "They have built high places to Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it ever enter My mind."

Ezekiel also condemns the use of high places, emphasizing the spiritual adultery of Israel. In Ezekiel 16:16-17 , the prophet describes how the people used their wealth and resources to create idols and engage in detestable practices: "You took some of your garments to make colorful high places for yourself, and you prostituted yourself on them. Such things should not happen, nor should they ever occur."

Reform and Removal

Several kings of Judah took steps to remove high places and eliminate the associated enchantments. King Hezekiah is noted for his reforms in 2 Kings 18:4 : "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it."

Similarly, King Josiah's reforms are recorded in 2 Kings 23:5 , where he "did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven."

Theological Implications

The use of enchantments at high places represents a broader theme of disobedience and spiritual infidelity in the Bible. These practices were not merely cultural or religious deviations but were seen as direct affronts to the sovereignty and holiness of God. The consistent biblical narrative underscores the importance of exclusive worship of Yahweh and the rejection of all forms of idolatry and occult practices.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 23:3
And Balaam said to Balak, Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatever he shows me I will tell you. And he went to an high place.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 24:1
And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Unclean Spirits.
... beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and ... attempted the same with their enchantments,
"but they ... against spiritual wickedness in high places;" or "wicked ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

A Kingdom's Epitaph
... there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did ... the fire, and used divination
and enchantments, and sold ... among the pastures there was a high place, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a kingdoms epitaph.htm

Five Catechetical Lectures the Same Author,
... therefore forbidden as idolatrous: "What high religious rites ... I shall obtain more
readily at their proper places. ... Thou shalt not use enchantments or purgations ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/five catechetical lectures the same.htm

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... He be thrust aside; but in all places is He at ... 6. And she sendeth to me food sprinkled
with enchantments. ... And wheresoever the Most High dwelleth, even though a ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

The Water of Life;
... 'I will,' saith God, 'sprinkle clean water upon you, [my ... Indeed, he openeth his river
in high places, in his throne, and of the Lamb, but still they run in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... and bondage which in former times (when they used to carry ... as a dew from the Lord,
as the showers upon the grass ... and our rivers shall be in high places, that is ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

On the Words Incarnate, and Made Man.
... They used auguries, and enchantments, and divinations [1367 ... to Zion, get thee up
into the high mountain ... But assuredly as to the places, thou being an inhabitant ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xii on the words.htm

Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... one another in loading our tables with enchantments for our ... My friend, every one
that is of high mind has one ... who now seize upon the chief places; but because ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiii against the arians.htm

Natural or Spiritual?
... Are not the secrets of these places worth the discovery? ... It may get as high as its
own nature can get ... in God's name, he may perform divers enchantments over him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/natural or spiritual.htm

Fruits and the Two Works.
... It will bear you over the rough places in life's ... Enchantments and spells, such as
healing by hypnotism, and sciences. ... a vision, saw the Lord and his high throne ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vi fruits and the.htm