Topical Encyclopedia High places, known in Hebrew as "bamot," were elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals in ancient Israel and surrounding cultures. These sites were typically located on hills or raised platforms and were associated with both pagan and Yahwistic worship practices. While high places are frequently criticized in the Old Testament for their association with idolatry, there are instances where God was worshipped on high places, particularly before the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem.Biblical Instances of Worship on High Places 1. Patriarchal Worship: Before the construction of the Temple, patriarchs like Abraham and Jacob built altars on elevated sites to worship God. In Genesis 12:7-8 , Abraham built an altar to the LORD near Bethel, a high place, and called upon the name of the LORD. Similarly, Jacob set up a pillar at Bethel, a significant high place, after his vision of the ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28:18-19). 2. Moses and Mount Sinai: Although not a "high place" in the traditional sense, Mount Sinai served as a significant elevated location where Moses encountered God. Exodus 19:20 states, "The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit." This event underscores the use of elevated locations for divine encounters. 3. Samuel and the High Place at Ramah: The prophet Samuel is associated with worship at high places. In 1 Samuel 9:12-14 , Samuel is found at a high place in Ramah, where he was offering sacrifices. This indicates that high places were used for legitimate worship before the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. 4. Solomon's Early Reign: Before the Temple was built, Solomon worshipped at high places. 1 Kings 3:3-4 notes, "Solomon loved the LORD by walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places." The most notable high place was Gibeon, where Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings and received wisdom from God in a dream. Transition to Centralized Worship The use of high places for worship was eventually discouraged as the religious reforms under kings like Hezekiah and Josiah sought to centralize worship in Jerusalem. Deuteronomy 12:2-5 commands the Israelites to destroy the high places and worship at the place the LORD chooses, which was ultimately the Temple in Jerusalem. This centralization was intended to prevent idolatry and ensure that worship was conducted according to God's commandments. Theological Implications The use of high places for worship reflects the transitional nature of Israelite worship practices. While initially tolerated and even used for legitimate worship, high places eventually became associated with syncretism and idolatry. The shift towards centralized worship in Jerusalem highlights the importance of purity in worship and adherence to God's prescribed methods. Despite their later negative connotations, the early use of high places demonstrates God's willingness to meet His people where they were, guiding them towards a more unified and holy worship. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 9:12And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place: Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 3:2,4 2 Chronicles 33:17 Library The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is ... Reform Manasseh's Sin and Repentance God Alone the Salvation of his People A Soul Gazing on God The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*] Canaan on Earth Babylonia and Assyria A Little Sanctuary Christ's Birth Resources Why is God described as God Most High? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of high places in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What was the biblical role of the high priest? | 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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