High Places used for Idolatrous Worship
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Topical Encyclopedia
High places, known in Hebrew as "bamot," were elevated sites often used for religious rituals and worship 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. The use of high places is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, reflecting the tension between the worship of Yahweh and the idolatrous practices that infiltrated Israelite society.

Biblical References and Historical Context

High places are first mentioned in the context of Canaanite worship, where they were used for the veneration of various deities, including Baal and Asherah. The Israelites were explicitly commanded to destroy these sites upon entering the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 12:2-3 , God instructs the Israelites: "Destroy completely all the places on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods. Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn up their Asherah poles."

Despite these clear instructions, the Israelites frequently fell into the practice of using high places for idolatrous worship. This disobedience is highlighted throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles. For instance, 1 Kings 14:23 states, "They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree."

Religious Practices and Significance

High places were often equipped with altars, sacred stones, and wooden poles or images representing deities. These sites served as centers for various religious activities, including sacrifices, offerings, and sometimes even human sacrifices, as seen in the worship of Molech. The allure of high places was partly due to their association with fertility rites and the belief that worship on elevated ground brought one closer to the divine.

The use of high places was not limited to pagan worship; at times, they were also used for the worship of Yahweh, especially before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. However, this practice was not in accordance with God's command to centralize worship in the Temple. King Solomon, despite his wisdom, allowed the worship at high places to continue, as noted in 1 Kings 3:3 : "Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places."

Reform and Opposition

Throughout Israel's history, several kings attempted to reform the religious practices of the nation by removing high places. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem and eliminate idolatrous practices. 2 Kings 18:4 records, "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, 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 that were east of Jerusalem, on 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."

Theological Implications

The persistent use of high places for idolatrous worship highlights the struggle of the Israelites to remain faithful to the covenant with Yahweh. The high places symbolize the temptation to conform to surrounding cultures and the challenge of maintaining pure worship. The biblical narrative consistently portrays the use of high places for idolatry as a deviation from God's commands, leading to spiritual and national decline.

The prophets frequently condemned the high places, associating them with Israel's unfaithfulness and calling the people back to exclusive worship of Yahweh. The struggle against idolatry and the call to destroy high places serve as a reminder of the importance of obedience and the dangers of syncretism in the life of faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Kings 11:7,8
Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... high places." For this reason, too, there was more than one ... danger the altar could
be placed so high that the ... avoid the worship of idolaters who used to offer ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

Jeroboam
... sent His messenger to interrupt the idolatrous proceedings and ... safety, the king would
have used this fact ... the people priests of the high places: whosoever would ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

Deuteronomy
... that would call out the fierce condemnation of the idolatrous high places which
characterizes ... demand for such a control of the worship as was ... sing, is used. ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/deuteronomy.htm

Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory
... It first recounts the thorough clearance of idolatrous emblems and ... our narrative
in stating that the 'high places' were not ... And he used the time of repose to ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture g/asas reformation and consequent peace.htm

The Second Commandment
... Lord.' Psalm 122:4. But for the high places and images ... to have established the kingdom
by idolatrous worship, but it ... right hand most; he is more used to mercy ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm

Reform
... Even in high places, sin is tolerated, men are respectable who ... Groves are the places
where those images have been set up. ... of God, but they had been used for an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/reform.htm

Youthful Confessors
... favour which he had won with the high officer who ... God fills places emptied by Himself,
and those emptied ... a faithful monotheist, and could be used against the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/youthful confessors.htm

The Persecutions of the Apostolic Church, and Its Condition at the ...
... was banished with many others to Pontia, [170:5] a small island off the coast of
Italy used for the ... The high places of idolatrous worship often exercised a ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter xi the persecutions of.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... Phoenicia, Edom, and Moab, and from many other places. ... an imposing pile of buildings
to be used as idolatrous ... Their keen sense of the high, holy character of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... He only appointed other places of worship, beside that ... him who should "speak great
words against the Most High." *. ... The word there used is "Pasxa," the Passover ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxviii the danger of.htm

Resources
Why is God described as God Most High? | GotQuestions.org

What 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 ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

High

High Day

High Gate or Gate Of Benjamin

High Place

High Places

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: Arnon

High Places: Asa Destroys

High Places: Aven

High Places: Baal

High Places: Bamah

High Places: Built By Ahaz

High Places: Built By Jehoram

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: Built By Solomon

High Places: Destroyed: Asa, Partially

High Places: Destroyed: Hezekiah

High Places: Destroyed: Jehoshaphat

High Places: Destroyed: Josiah

High Places: Enchantments Used Upon

High Places: Gibeon

High Places: God Sometimes Worshipped On

High Places: Hezekiah Destroys

High Places: Jehoshaphat Destroys

High Places: Josiah 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

High Places: Tophet

High Places6813 Priest

High Priest

High Things

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

Annas (4 Occurrences)

Sacrificing (39 Occurrences)

Asherahs (23 Occurrences)

Shrines (40 Occurrences)

Asherim (20 Occurrences)

Ashe'rim (19 Occurrences)

Assembled (186 Occurrences)

Columns (17 Occurrences)

Ashe'rah (18 Occurrences)

Ananias (11 Occurrences)

Abiathar (29 Occurrences)

Alcimus

Armenia (2 Occurrences)

Azariah (47 Occurrences)

Struck (373 Occurrences)

Standing-pillars (9 Occurrences)

Stronghold (68 Occurrences)

Shrine (34 Occurrences)

Ahimelech (17 Occurrences)

Altars (55 Occurrences)

Asherah (40 Occurrences)

Zerub'babel (23 Occurrences)

Sanhedrin (19 Occurrences)

Cedar-wood (22 Occurrences)

Asiarch

Ararat (4 Occurrences)

Ahimaaz (15 Occurrences)

Starry (14 Occurrences)

Shealtiel (12 Occurrences)

Smote (281 Occurrences)

Slayer (23 Occurrences)

Smashed (22 Occurrences)

Arch (24 Occurrences)

Spreading (74 Occurrences)

Chains (100 Occurrences)

Shebna (9 Occurrences)

Sorts (65 Occurrences)

Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences)

Seat (256 Occurrences)

Cracks (9 Occurrences)

Addressed (23 Occurrences)

Aloft (3 Occurrences)

Ahitub (16 Occurrences)

Apples (11 Occurrences)

Antiochians

Ahijah (23 Occurrences)

Abased (17 Occurrences)

Aloes (5 Occurrences)

Answerest (12 Occurrences)

Sun-images (6 Occurrences)

Stalk (7 Occurrences)

Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences)

Stamped (27 Occurrences)

Sela (5 Occurrences)

Shephelah (2 Occurrences)

Securely (43 Occurrences)

Sovereignty (14 Occurrences)

She-al'ti-el (10 Occurrences)

Aaron (343 Occurrences)

Sadducees (14 Occurrences)

Attached (31 Occurrences)

Assur (2 Occurrences)

Sherghat

Appointeth (28 Occurrences)

Shoots (32 Occurrences)

Sacrifices (186 Occurrences)

Apart (228 Occurrences)

Associates (26 Occurrences)

Asshur (133 Occurrences)

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)

Seated (252 Occurrences)

Zadok (50 Occurrences)

Stature (22 Occurrences)

Sheweth (34 Occurrences)

Started (51 Occurrences)

Abram (48 Occurrences)

Collected (55 Occurrences)

Sanballat (10 Occurrences)

Kingdoms (65 Occurrences)

High Places of the Earth
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