Topical Encyclopedia High places, known in Hebrew as "bamot," were elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals. These locations were typically found on hills or raised platforms and were prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including among the Israelites. The use of high places by the Jews is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often associated with idolatry and syncretism, which provoked the anger of God.Biblical Context and Usage High places were initially used for legitimate worship. For instance, the prophet Samuel offered sacrifices at high places (1 Samuel 9:12-14). However, as the Israelites settled in Canaan, they adopted the pagan practices of the surrounding nations, using these sites for the worship of foreign gods, which was strictly forbidden by the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 12:2-4). Idolatry and Syncretism The Israelites' use of high places often led to idolatry, as they incorporated the worship of Canaanite deities such as Baal and Asherah. This syncretism was a direct violation of the first commandment, which demanded exclusive worship of Yahweh. The Book of Kings frequently records the Israelites' failure to remove high places, even under otherwise righteous kings. For example, 1 Kings 15:14 notes, "But the high places were not taken away; nevertheless, Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days." Divine Displeasure The persistence of high places was a significant factor in God's displeasure with Israel and Judah. The prophets repeatedly condemned the practice, warning of divine judgment. In 2 Kings 17:10-12, the text states, "They 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." Reform Efforts Several kings attempted to reform the religious practices of the Israelites by removing 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's reforms included the desecration of high places to prevent their use for idolatry (2 Kings 23:8-9). Theological Implications The use of high places by the Jews serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising true worship with pagan practices. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the centralization of worship as prescribed in the Torah. The persistence of high places highlights the struggle between faithfulness to God and the temptation to conform to surrounding cultures. Conclusion The narrative of high places in the Old Testament reflects the ongoing tension between the Israelites' covenantal obligations and their inclination towards idolatry. Despite repeated warnings and reforms, the allure of high places remained a stumbling block, ultimately contributing to the downfall of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 14:22,23And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 78:58 Library Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the High ... A Kingdom's Epitaph Christian Perfection How the War of the Jews with the Romans Began, and Concerning ... How Upon the Quarrel Between Antiochus Grypus and Antiochus ... The Persecutions of the Apostolic Church, and Its Condition at the ... The Antiquities of the Jews "But if Ye have Bitter Envying," &C. Nineveh. On Idolatry Resources Why did Solomon worship at a high place? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a high Sabbath? | GotQuestions.org Did the high priest have a rope tied to him when he entered the Holy of Holies? | 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 |