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2 Kings 12:3

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But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

But the high places {H1116} were not taken away {H5493}: the people {H5971} still sacrificed {H2076} and burnt incense {H6999} in the high places {H1116}.

Nevertheless the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and presented offerings on the high places.

Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.

Howbeit the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.

Commentary

Context

This verse immediately follows the description of King Joash's (also known as Jehoash) reign. 2 Kings 12:2 states, "And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him." Verse 3 then presents the significant qualifier to Joash's otherwise positive reign: his failure to remove the "high places." These were local shrines where people offered sacrifices, often blending the worship of Yahweh with pagan customs, despite God's command to centralize worship at the Jerusalem Temple. This issue was a recurring problem for many kings of Judah, representing a persistent spiritual challenge.

Key Themes

  • Partial Obedience and Compromise: Joash's reign is marked by a significant "but." While he did much good, particularly in repairing the Temple, his failure to abolish the high places represents a critical spiritual compromise. This highlights that doing "right" in some areas does not negate persistent disobedience in others.
  • Persistence of Idolatry and Syncretism: The "high places" were deeply ingrained in Israelite religious practice. They often served as sites where the worship of Yahweh was mixed with Canaanite fertility cults, leading to syncretism. Even when intended for Yahweh, they violated God's command for centralized worship at the Temple in Jerusalem.
  • The King's Responsibility: A primary duty of a righteous king in Judah was to lead the people in full obedience to God's law, which included eradicating idolatry and its associated practices. Joash's inability to fully dismantle these shrines underscores a limitation in his spiritual leadership, even under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest.

Linguistic Insight

The term "high places" translates the Hebrew word bamot (בָּמוֹת), which refers to elevated cultic sites. While originally some may have been legitimate altars for Yahweh before the Temple's construction, they became problematic after the command for centralized worship was given in Deuteronomy. Their continued existence often indicated a tolerance for, or active participation in, syncretistic or idolatrous practices, even if the primary intent was still to worship the Lord.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual progress often faces resistance from deeply entrenched habits or cultural norms.

  • Incomplete Reform: Just as Joash left the high places, we can often leave "high places" in our own lives – areas of compromise, habitual sin, or traditions that subtly undermine true devotion to God. True spiritual reform requires thoroughness, not just partial cleansing.
  • The Danger of "Good Enough": The temptation to settle for "good enough" rather than pursuing complete obedience is a constant challenge. This verse cautions against allowing comfort or popular practice to override God's clear commands.
  • Leadership and Influence: Leaders, whether in a family, church, or community, have a responsibility to address areas of spiritual compromise and to guide others towards full adherence to God's will. The people's continued sacrifice at the high places reflects, in part, the king's unfulfilled duty. We are called to walk worthy of our calling and strive for holiness.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 14:4 (6 votes)

    Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.

  • 1 Kings 22:43 (3 votes)

    And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; [for] the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.

  • 2 Kings 15:35 (3 votes)

    Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 18:4 (3 votes)

    He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

  • 1 Kings 15:14 (3 votes)

    But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.

  • Jeremiah 2:20 (2 votes)

    ¶ For of old time I have broken thy yoke, [and] burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

  • 2 Chronicles 31:4 (2 votes)

    Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.