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 legitimate and illegitimate worship practices throughout the history of Israel.Biblical Context and Usage In the early history of Israel, high places were sometimes used for the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, especially before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. For instance, the prophet Samuel offered sacrifices at high places (1 Samuel 9:12-14), and Solomon initially worshiped at the high place in Gibeon, where the tabernacle was located (1 Kings 3:4). However, high places became increasingly associated with idolatrous practices as Israel adopted the religious customs of surrounding nations. The worship at these sites often included the veneration of Canaanite deities such as Baal and Asherah, which was strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law. The Lord commanded the Israelites to destroy the high places of the Canaanites upon entering the Promised Land (Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 12:2-3). Priests Ordained for High Places Despite the clear instructions to centralize worship in Jerusalem, some kings of Israel and Judah appointed priests specifically for service at high places. This practice was in direct violation of God's command to worship exclusively at the Temple in Jerusalem, where the Levitical priesthood was established. One notable example is King Jeroboam I of Israel, who, in an effort to prevent his subjects from traveling to Jerusalem, established alternative worship centers at Bethel and Dan. He appointed non-Levitical priests for these high places, leading Israel into sin (1 Kings 12:31). The Berean Standard Bible records, "Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites" (1 Kings 12:31). Similarly, King Manasseh of Judah, who reigned during a period of significant apostasy, rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed. He appointed priests to serve at these sites, further leading the nation into idolatry (2 Kings 21:3-5). Reform and Destruction of High Places Throughout Israel's history, several kings undertook religious reforms to eliminate the high places and restore proper worship. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts to destroy the high places, as recorded in 2 Kings 18:4: "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles" . Similarly, King Josiah enacted comprehensive reforms, tearing down the high places and desecrating them to prevent their reuse (2 Kings 23:8-20). Despite these efforts, the persistent presence of high places throughout Israel's history highlights the ongoing struggle between faithfulness to Yahweh and the temptation to adopt the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. The ordination of priests for high places serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to God's commands and the dangers of compromising true worship. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 12:32And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like to the feast that is in Judah, and he offered on the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 13:33 Library Political Religion Jeroboam The Unclean Spirits. Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the High ... Jeremiah The Cry of the Heathen Epistle Lxviii. To Florentius Pupianus, on Calumniators. Concerning Sanballat and Manasseh, and the Temple which they Built ... "This Thing is from Me" 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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