Bible Dictionaries
High Place

Easton's Bible Dictionary

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 (12:7,8). It was on a mountain in Gilead that Laban and Jacob offered sacrifices (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; 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; (2 Kings 15:17 , etc.).