High places, known in Hebrew as "bamot," were elevated sites often used for worship and religious rituals in ancient Israel and surrounding regions. These locations were typically situated on hills or raised platforms and were significant in the religious practices of both the Israelites and their pagan neighbors. High places are frequently mentioned throughout the Old Testament, serving as focal points for both sanctioned and unsanctioned worship.

Biblical References and Usage

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, upon entering the Promised Land, were commanded to destroy these sites to prevent idolatry. In Deuteronomy 12:2-3 , God instructs the Israelites: "You must completely destroy all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and burn up their Asherah poles."

Despite these clear instructions, the Israelites often fell into the practice of using high places for worship, both of Yahweh and of foreign gods. This syncretism was a recurring issue throughout Israel's history. For instance, Solomon, despite his wisdom, built high places for the gods of his foreign wives, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:7-8 : "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. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods."

Reforms and Destruction

Several kings of Judah undertook religious reforms to eliminate the high places. King Hezekiah is noted for his efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem and destroy these sites. 2 Kings 18:4 states, "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles." Similarly, King Josiah's reforms were extensive, 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 Molech the abomination of the Ammonites."

Theological Significance

The high places represent a significant theological theme in the Old Testament, highlighting the tension between true worship of Yahweh and the persistent temptation of idolatry. The use of high places often symbolized a departure from the covenantal relationship with God, as worship was to be centralized in the temple in Jerusalem, the place God had chosen for His name to dwell (Deuteronomy 12:5).

The persistence of high places in Israel's history serves as a reminder of the human tendency to deviate from divine commandments and the need for continual reformation and return to true worship. The narrative of high places underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands and the dangers of syncretism in worship practices.