Definition and Meaning:
The term "Bamah" refers to a high place or elevated site used for worship in ancient Israel and surrounding regions. The Hebrew word "Bamah" (בָּמָה) is often translated as "high place" in English Bibles. These sites were typically located on hills or raised platforms and were used for religious rituals, including sacrifices and offerings.

Biblical References:
The concept of high places, or "Bamah," is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. These sites were often associated with idolatrous practices, which were condemned by the prophets and reforming kings of Israel and Judah. One notable reference to Bamah is found in the book of Ezekiel:

· Ezekiel 20:29 : "So I asked them: What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah.)"

In this passage, God, through the prophet Ezekiel, rebukes the Israelites for their idolatrous practices at these high places, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh in the temple at Jerusalem.

Historical and Cultural Context:
High places were common in the ancient Near East and were often associated with Canaanite religious practices. These sites typically included altars, standing stones, and sometimes sacred groves. The Israelites, influenced by surrounding cultures, adopted the use of high places, which led to syncretism and the worship of foreign gods alongside Yahweh.

Despite the centralization of worship in Jerusalem under King Solomon, high places continued to be used throughout the divided monarchy. Some kings, like Hezekiah and Josiah, undertook religious reforms to destroy these sites and restore proper worship (2 Kings 18:4; 2 Kings 23:8-9).

Theological Significance:
The use of high places represents a recurring theme of disobedience and idolatry in Israel's history. The prophets consistently warned against the worship at these sites, emphasizing the need for exclusive devotion to Yahweh. The high places symbolize the struggle between true worship and the temptation to conform to pagan practices.

Lessons for Today:
The narrative of Bamah serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of compromising one's beliefs. It underscores the need for discernment in worship and the rejection of practices that detract from the worship of the one true God. The call to destroy the high places in ancient Israel can be seen as a metaphor for removing anything in one's life that competes with or diminishes one's relationship with God.Bamah

an eminence or high place

Bamah

(high place). Found only in (Ezekiel 20:29) applied to places of idolatrous worship.

A height, a name used simply to denote a high place where the Jews worshipped idols (Ezek. 20:29). The plural is translated "high places" in Numbers 22:41 and Ezek. 36:2. BAMAH

ba'-ma, ba'-ma (bamah, "high place"): The word appears in Ezekiel 20:29 where reference is made to former "high-place worship," the prophet speaking with contempt of such manner of worship. Ewald suggests a play of words, ba', "come" and mah, "what," "what (mah) is the high place (ba-mah) whereunto ye come (ba')?" It is possible that reference is made to a prominent high place like the one at Gibeon (compare 1 Kings 3:4 1 Chronicles 16:39; 1 Chronicles 21:29 2 Chronicles 13) for which the name "Bamah" was retained after the reform mentioned by the prophet.

1117. Bamah -- a high place (for idols) in Isr.
... 1116, 1117. Bamah. 1118 . a high place (for idols) in Isr. Transliteration:
Bamah Phonetic Spelling: (baw-maw') Short Definition: Bamah. ...
/hebrew/1117.htm - 6k

1116. bamah -- a high place
... 1115, 1116. bamah. 1117 . a high place. Transliteration: bamah Phonetic Spelling:
(bam-maw') Short Definition: places. ... 1115, 1116. bamah. 1117 . ...
/hebrew/1116.htm - 6k

1120. Bamoth -- "high place," a place in Moab
... Word Origin from the same as bamah Definition "high place," a place in Moab NASB
Word Usage Bamoth (2), Bamoth-baal* (1). Bamoth, Bamoth-baal. ... see HEBREW bamah. ...
/hebrew/1120.htm - 6k

1181. baale bamoth -- lords of (the) high places
... Word Origin from Baal and bamah Definition lords of (the) high places NASB Word
Usage heights (1). lords of the high places. ... see HEBREW bamah. 1180, 1181. ...
/hebrew/1181.htm - 6k

173. Oholibamah -- "tent of the high place," wife of Esau, also an ...
... Word Origin from ohel and bamah Definition "tent of the high place," wife of Esau,
also an Edomite leader NASB Word Usage Oholibamah (8). ... see HEBREW bamah. ...
/hebrew/173.htm - 6k

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ...
... chiefly by the name Nephesh, [4842] soul,' person' - transferred in the sense of
monument,' [4843] or, by the more Scriptural name of bamah, [4844] or, by the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the death and.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... He was a priest of Bamah, Samuel, the son of Elkanah, who had acquired the reputation
of being a just and wise judge in the towns of Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Bamah (1 Occurrence)
... The plural is translated "high places" in Numbers 22:41 and Ezek. 36:2. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. BAMAH. ... Multi-Version Concordance Bamah (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/bamah.htm - 8k

Place (9195 Occurrences)
... 1. General: (1) "High place" is the normal translation of bamah, a word that means
simply "elevation" (Jeremiah 26:18 Ezekiel 36:2, etc.; compare the use in ...
/p/place.htm - 28k

Bamoth (4 Occurrences)

/b/bamoth.htm - 8k

Meaneth (9 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 20:29 Then I said unto them, What meaneth the high place whereunto ye go?
So the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day. (ASV JPS). ...
/m/meaneth.htm - 9k

Balustrade (1 Occurrence)

/b/balustrade.htm - 7k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... Hearing that he was about to offer sacrifice, the two hastened into Ramah, and
"behold, Samuel came out against them," on his way to the "bamah", ie, the ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

High (4559 Occurrences)
... 1. General: (1) "High place" is the normal translation of bamah, a word that means
simply "elevation" (Jeremiah 26:18 Ezekiel 36:2, etc.; compare the use in ...
/h/high.htm - 60k

Whereunto (36 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 20:29 Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And
the name whereof is called Bamah unto this day. (KJV JPS ASV). ...
/w/whereunto.htm - 17k

Whereof (94 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV DBY). Ezekiel 20:29 Then I said unto them, What is the high place
whereunto ye go? And the name whereof is called Bamah unto this day. (KJV). ...
/w/whereof.htm - 36k

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