Topical Encyclopedia High places, known in Hebrew as "bamot," were elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals in ancient Israel and surrounding regions. These sites were typically located on hills or raised platforms and were associated with both legitimate and illegitimate worship practices throughout the biblical narrative.Biblical Context and Usage High places are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as locations where sacrifices and incense were offered, often to idols and foreign gods, contrary to the worship of Yahweh. The use of high places is a recurring theme, reflecting the tension between the worship of the God of Israel and the allure of pagan practices. Legitimate Worship Initially, high places were not exclusively associated with idolatry. Before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, high places were sometimes used for the worship of Yahweh. For instance, the prophet Samuel offered sacrifices at high places (1 Samuel 9:12-14). However, once the Temple was established as the central place of worship, the use of high places for sacrifices to Yahweh was no longer sanctioned. Idolatrous Practices The Bible frequently condemns the use of high places for idolatrous worship. These sites became centers for the worship of Canaanite deities such as Baal and Asherah, as well as other foreign gods. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the religious practices of the surrounding nations, which included the use of high places for offering sacrifices and burning incense to idols. In 1 Kings 14:23, it is noted, "For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree." This passage highlights the widespread nature of idolatrous worship in high places, which was a significant concern for the prophets and leaders of Israel. Reform Efforts Throughout Israel's history, various kings and leaders attempted to reform the religious practices of the nation by removing or destroying high places. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem and eliminate 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 undertook significant religious reforms, as described in 2 Kings 23:13: "The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites." Prophetic Denunciations The prophets of Israel frequently denounced the use of high places for idolatrous worship. They called the people to return to the exclusive worship of Yahweh and to abandon the syncretistic practices that had infiltrated their religious life. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, lamented the idolatry of Judah, stating in Jeremiah 19:5, "They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it enter My mind." Theological Implications The use of high places for sacrifices and incense to idols represents a broader struggle within Israel to maintain covenant faithfulness amidst external influences. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes the importance of worshiping Yahweh alone and adhering to the commandments given to Moses. The high places serve as a symbol of the temptation to compromise and the need for continual reform and renewal in the life of the covenant community. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 12:3But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 16:4 Library On Idolatry The Tears of Christ. Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... Five Catechetical Lectures the Same Author, Perseverance of Saints. Acts of Sharbil, who was a Priest of Idols, and was Converted to ... Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals. Excursus on the Present Teaching of the Latin and Greek Churches ... Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship Work Written by Julian Entitled "Aversion to Beards. " Daphne in ... 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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