Topical Encyclopedia High places, known in Hebrew as "bamot," were elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals. These locations were significant in the religious practices of ancient Israel and surrounding cultures. Initially, high places were not exclusively associated with idolatry; they were sometimes used for the worship of Yahweh, especially before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. However, over time, they became synonymous with idolatrous practices, leading to divine condemnation and threats of destruction.Biblical Context and Usage High places were frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as sites where the Israelites engaged in worship, both legitimate and illegitimate. They were often located on hills or elevated areas, which were thought to be closer to the divine. The use of high places for worship is evident in several biblical accounts, such as the sacrifice of Samuel in 1 Samuel 9:12-14 and Solomon's worship at Gibeon in 1 Kings 3:4. Condemnation and Threats of Destruction Despite their initial acceptance, high places became a focal point of idolatry and syncretism, leading to God's disapproval. The Israelites often adopted the pagan practices of surrounding nations, worshiping foreign gods at these sites. This idolatry was a direct violation of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, as outlined in the Ten Commandments and reiterated throughout the Torah. The prophets and leaders of Israel repeatedly warned against the use of high places for idolatrous worship. The Lord, through His prophets, threatened the destruction of these sites as a means of purifying the land and restoring true worship. In Leviticus 26:30 , God declares, "I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols, and My soul will abhor you." Reform Efforts Several kings of Judah undertook reforms to eliminate high places and restore proper worship. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts to remove high places, as recorded in 2 Kings 18:4 : "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it; it was called Nehushtan." Similarly, King Josiah's reforms were comprehensive, as described in 2 Kings 23:13-14 : "The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon 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. He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones." Prophetic Warnings The prophets consistently warned of the consequences of idolatry and the use of high places. Jeremiah, for instance, conveyed God's message of impending judgment due to the persistent idolatry at these sites. In Jeremiah 19:5-6 , the Lord says, "They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it ever enter My mind. So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Topheth or the Valley of Ben-hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter." Conclusion The high places, once sites of legitimate worship, became symbols of Israel's unfaithfulness and idolatry. The repeated threats of destruction served as a divine call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. The eradication of high places was a necessary step in the spiritual reformation of Israel, emphasizing the importance of exclusive worship of Yahweh and adherence to His commandments. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 26:30And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcasses on the carcasses of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Jewish War and the Destruction of Jerusalem. AD 70 The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem The Jews Fight a Great Battle with Sabinus's Soldiers, and a Great ... How the War of the Jews with the Romans Began, and Concerning ... Concerning the Successors of Judas, who were Jonathan and Simon ... That Many of the Sicarii Fled to Alexandria Also and what Dangers ... Ezekiel Isaiah "The Time of Trouble. " The Time of Trouble 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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