High place

Easton, 1897

An eminence, natural or artificial, where worship by sacrifice or offerings was made (1 Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:29). The first altar after the Flood was built on a mountain (Genesis 8:20). Abraham also built an altar on a mountain (Genesis 12:7, Genesis 12:8). It was on a mountain in Gilead that Laban and Jacob offered sacrifices (Genesis 31:54). 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; Deuteronomy 12:2, Deuteronomy 12:3), 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, Leviticus 17:4; Deuteronomy 12; Deuteronomy 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; 2 Kings 15:4, 35:2 Chr. 15:17, etc.).