What are the…
High place and what is their significance?
Meaning: an eminence, natural or artificial, where worship by sacrifice or offerings was made (1 Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:29)
Godly use of high places
The first altar after the Flood was built on a mountain (Genesis 8:20). Abraham also built an altar on a mountain (12:7, 8). It was on a mountain in Gilead that Laban and Jacob offered sacrifices (31:54).
More information
- Altars in the Bible
- Temples in the Bible
- Mount Moriah
- Zion
Idolatrous high places
After the Israelites entered the Promised Land they were strictly enjoined to overthrow the high places of the Canaanites (Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; 12:2, 3), and they were forbidden to worship the Lord on high places (Deuteronomy 12:11-14), and were enjoined to use but one altar for sacrifices (Leviticus 17:3, 4; Deuteronomy 12; 16:21).
The injunction against high places was, however, very imperfectly obeyed, and we find again and again mention made of them (2 Kings 14:4; 15:4,35; 2 Chronicles 15:17, etc.).
More information
- Idolatry in the Bible
- Idols in the Bible
- The Ten Commandments