Topical Encyclopedia High places, known in Hebrew as "bamot," were elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals. These locations were typically situated on hills or raised platforms and were prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including among the Israelites. The use of high places is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where they are frequently associated with idolatrous practices and the worship of foreign gods, leading to divine condemnation.Biblical Context and Condemnation The construction and use of high places by the Israelites are consistently condemned in the Scriptures. Despite God's explicit instructions to worship Him in the designated place He would choose (Deuteronomy 12:5-14), the Israelites repeatedly fell into the practice of building and utilizing high places, often influenced by the surrounding pagan nations. In 1 Kings 14:23, the text states, "For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree." This verse highlights the widespread nature of this practice among the Israelites, which was in direct violation of God's commandments. The reign of Solomon marks a significant period where high places became prominent. Although Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, he also constructed high places for the worship of foreign deities, influenced by his foreign wives. 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." The persistence of high places is evident throughout the history of the divided kingdom. Many kings of Israel and Judah failed to remove these sites, even when they sought to follow the Lord. For instance, 1 Kings 15:14 notes, "The high places were not removed; nevertheless, Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days." This indicates a partial reform that fell short of complete obedience. Prophetic Rebuke and Reform Efforts Prophets frequently rebuked the Israelites for their use of high places, emphasizing the need for exclusive worship of Yahweh. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, condemned the people for their idolatry, stating in Jeremiah 7:31, "They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I did not command, nor did it enter My mind." Reform efforts were undertaken by a few righteous kings who sought to eradicate the high places and restore proper worship. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts in 2 Kings 18:4, "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles." Similarly, King Josiah's reforms are detailed in 2 Kings 23:13, where he defiled the high places that Solomon had built. Theological Implications The condemnation of high places underscores the importance of centralized worship and the rejection of syncretism in Israelite religion. The high places represented a deviation from the covenantal relationship between God and His people, as they often became centers for idolatry and pagan practices. The repeated failure to remove these sites reflects the ongoing struggle of the Israelites to maintain faithfulness to God's commands amidst external influences and internal apostasy. The narrative of high places serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising true worship and the necessity of adhering to divine instructions. The biblical record consistently calls for the exclusive worship of Yahweh in the manner He prescribed, highlighting the centrality of obedience and purity in worship. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 16:23-35And it came to pass after all your wickedness, (woe, woe to you! said the LORD GOD;) Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Antiquities of the Jews Book 15 Footnotes The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras ... List of the Benefits which Constantine Conferred in the Freedom of ... The Civil Trial The Destruction of Jerusalem. The Destruction of Jerusalem Touching the First Subject of all the Forementioned Power of the ... Questions. The End 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 |
    |