Topical Encyclopedia The term "high places" in the Bible often refers to elevated sites used for worship, both of Yahweh and of foreign deities. These locations were typically on hills or mountains and were significant in the religious practices of ancient Israel and its neighboring cultures. The Arnon, a river and its surrounding region, is mentioned in the context of high places, particularly in relation to the territorial boundaries and conflicts involving the Israelites.Geographical Context The Arnon River, known today as Wadi Mujib, is a significant geographical feature in the biblical landscape. It flows into the Dead Sea and serves as a natural boundary between the territories of Moab and the Amorites. The river and its surrounding highlands are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as a landmark delineating the extent of various tribal lands. Biblical References The Arnon is first mentioned in the context of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. In Numbers 21:13, the Israelites camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is described as the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. The Berean Standard Bible states: "From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites." In Deuteronomy 2:24, God commands the Israelites to cross the Arnon and begin to take possession of the land of Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon. This directive underscores the strategic importance of the Arnon as a boundary and a point of conquest: "Arise, set out, and cross the Arnon. See, I have delivered into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession of it, and engage him in battle." Religious Significance The high places around the Arnon were likely used for various religious practices. While the Bible does not provide explicit details about specific high places at the Arnon, the general use of high places in the region suggests that they could have been sites for both legitimate worship of Yahweh and idolatrous practices. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the pagan customs of the surrounding nations, which often included worship at high places. In 2 Kings 3:4-27, the Arnon region is indirectly referenced during the campaign of the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom against Moab. The narrative highlights the strategic and religious significance of the area, as the Moabites were known for their worship practices, which included high places. Cultural and Historical Context The high places near the Arnon would have been culturally significant to the Moabites and Amorites, who inhabited the region before and during the Israelite settlement. These sites were often associated with local deities and were integral to the religious and social life of the people. The Israelites' encounters with these high places reflect the broader biblical theme of the struggle between the worship of Yahweh and the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations. Theological Implications The biblical narrative concerning the Arnon and its high places serves as a reminder of the Israelites' call to faithfulness and the dangers of syncretism. The high places symbolize the constant temptation to compromise with pagan practices, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament. The conquest and control of regions like the Arnon underscore the importance of obedience to God's commands and the establishment of a distinct identity as His chosen people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 21:28For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it has consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Nations of the South-East The Witness of Balaam to Israel The Water of Life; The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem Solomon's Temple Spiritualized Appendices The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty Resources Why is God described as God Most High? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of high places in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What was the biblical role of the high priest? | GotQuestions.org High: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics High Places of the Canaanites to be Destroyed High Places used for Idolatrous Worship High Places: A Term Used to Describe Places of Worship High Places: Adorned With Tapestry High Places: Built By Jeroboam High Places: Built By Manasseh High Places: Built By People of Israel High Places: Built By People of Judah High Places: Destroyed: Asa, Partially High Places: Destroyed: Hezekiah High Places: Destroyed: Jehoshaphat High Places: Destroyed: Josiah High Places: Enchantments Used Upon High Places: God Sometimes Worshipped On High Places: Hezekiah Destroys High Places: Jehoshaphat Destroys High Places: Licentious Practices At High Places: Not Removed: Amaziah High Places: Not Removed: Azariah High Places: Not Removed: Jehoash High Places: Not Removed: Jotham High Places: Priests Ordained For High Places: Sacrifices and Incense offered to Idols Upon High Places: Signify a Place of Idolatrous Worship High Places: Surrounded With Groves High Places: The Idolatrous, to be Destroyed High Places: The Jews: Built, in all Their Streets High Places: The Jews: Built, in Their Cities High Places: The Jews: Condemned for Building High Places: The Jews: Provoked God With High Places: The Jews: Punished For High Places: The Jews: Threatened With Destruction of The High Priest was Called: God's High Priest The High Priest was Called: Ruler of the People The High Priest was Called: The Priest The High Priest were for Beauty and Ornament The High Priest: Assisted by a Deputy The High Priest: Consecrated to his office The High Priest: Duties of Appointing Priests to offices The High Priest: Duties of Bearing Before the Lord the Names of Israel for a Memorial The High Priest: Duties of Blessing the People The High Priest: Duties of Consecrating the Levites The High Priest: Duties of Enquiring of God by Urim and Thummim The High Priest: Duties of Lighting the Sacred Lamps The High Priest: Duties of Making Atonement in the Most Holy Place Once a Year The High Priest: Duties of Offering Gifts and Sacrifices The High Priest: Duties of Presiding in the Superior Court The High Priest: Duties of Taking Charge of Money Collected in the Sacred Treasury The High Priest: Duties of Taking the Census of the People The High Priest: Family of Eli Degraded from office of, for Bad Conduct The High Priest: Forbidden to Mourn for Any The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Being Made Without an Oath The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Being of the Order of Aaron The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Entering Into Holiest Every Year The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Needing to Make Atonement for his own Sins The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in not Being Able to Continue The High Priest: Inferior to Christ in Offering oftentimes the Same Sacrifices The High Priest: Made by Divine Wisdom Given to Bezaleel The High Priest: Needed to Sacrifice for Himself The High Priest: Next in Rank to the King The High Priest: Office of, Made Annual by the Romans The High Priest: Office of, Promised to the Posterity of Phinehas for his Zeal The High Priest: Often Exercised Chief Civil Power The High Priest: Sometimes Deposed by the Kings The High Priest: Sometimes Enabled to Prophesy The High Priest: Special Garments of Breastplate The High Priest: Special Garments of Broidered Coat The High Priest: Special Garments of Ephod With Its Curious Girdle The High Priest: Special Garments of Girdle The High Priest: Special Garments of Linen Mitre The High Priest: Special Garments of Plate or Crown of Gold The High Priest: Special Garments of Robe of the Ephod The High Priest: Specially Called of God The High Priest: The Deputy of Called the Second Priest The High Priest: The Deputy of had Oversight of the Levites The High Priest: The Deputy of had Oversight of the Tabernacle The High Priest: The office of, Hereditary The High Priest: To be Tender and Compassionate The High Priest: To Marry a Virgin of Aaron's Family The High Priest: Typified Christ in Alone Entering Into Most Holy Place The High Priest: Typified Christ in Bearing the Names of Israel Upon his Heart The High Priest: Typified Christ in Being Called of God The High Priest: Typified Christ in Being Liable to Temptation The High Priest: Typified Christ in Blessing The High Priest: Typified Christ in Compassion and Sympathy for the Weak and Ignorant The High Priest: Typified Christ in His Appointment The High Priest: Typified Christ in His Title The High Priest: Typified Christ in Holiness of office The High Priest: Typified Christ in Interceding The High Priest: Typified Christ in Making Atonement The High Priest: Typified Christ in Marrying a Virgin The High Priest: Typified Christ in Performing by Himself all the Services on Day of Atonement The High Priest: Typified Christ in Splendid Dress The High Priest: Wore the Ordinary Priest's Garments when Making Atonement In The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration: Descended to his Successors The High Priest: Worn at his Consecration: Worn Seven Days After Consecration Related Terms |
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