2 Chronicles 11:15

KJV

And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he ordained {H5975} him priests {H3548} for the high places {H1116}, and for the devils {H8163}, and for the calves {H5695} which he had made {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and had appointed for himself cohanim for the high places and for the images of goat-demons and calves that he had made.

Berean Standard Bible

And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made.

American Standard Version

and he appointed him priests for the high places, and for the he-goats, and for the calves which he had made.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 11:15 details King Jeroboam's profound spiritual apostasy in the newly divided Northern Kingdom of Israel. Following the legitimate Levites' departure to Judah, Jeroboam, driven by political expediency, established an alternative, illicit religious system. This involved ordaining his own unauthorized priests to serve at "high places" (pagan worship sites), minister to "devils" (demonic goat-idols), and offer sacrifices to the golden calves he had fashioned. This act cemented a pattern of idolatry and spiritual rebellion that would plague the Northern Kingdom until its eventual downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical turning point in Israelite history: the division of the united monarchy after Solomon's death. Rehoboam inherited the throne of Judah, while Jeroboam I became king over the ten northern tribes. The immediate preceding verses, [2 Chronicles 11:13-14](/2_chronicles/11-13 "2 Chronicles 11:13-14 - Levites Migrate to Judah"), describe the exodus of the legitimate priests and Levites from all over Israel. They abandoned their homes and lands and migrated to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons had "cast them off" from their divinely appointed duties to the Lord. Verse 15 directly explains the reason for this expulsion: Jeroboam's establishment of a rival, idolatrous religious system, which rendered the true priesthood obsolete and unwelcome in his kingdom. This sets up a stark contrast between Judah's initial adherence to the Davidic covenant and the Northern Kingdom's immediate deviation into apostasy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeroboam's actions were primarily motivated by political pragmatism, as detailed in [1 Kings 12:26-30](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-30 - Jeroboam's Political Idolatry"). He feared that if his subjects continued to go to Jerusalem for the prescribed annual festivals, their allegiance would eventually return to Rehoboam and the house of David. To prevent this, he established new cultic centers at Bethel and Dan, strategically located at the southern and northern borders of his kingdom. These sites were equipped with golden calves, reminiscent of Aaron's sin at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 32:4](/exodus/32-4 "Exodus 32:4 - The Golden Calf at Sinai")). The "high places" were traditional ancient Near Eastern worship sites, often on elevated ground, which, though sometimes used for Yahweh worship in early Israel, became consistently condemned in later prophetic literature due to their association with pagan practices and syncretism. The "devils" (Hebrew: *se'irim*) refer to goat-demons or satyrs, commonly worshipped in Canaanite fertility cults, indicating a complete departure from Yahwistic monotheism into outright demon worship.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [2 Chronicles 11](/2_chronicles/11 "2 Chronicles 11 - Rehoboam's Reign and Jeroboam's Apostasy") and specifically in this verse is **apostasy and idolatry**. Jeroboam's deliberate rejection of the Lord's prescribed worship system, including the legitimate priesthood and the Jerusalem Temple, represents a foundational act of spiritual rebellion. This leads directly to the theme of the **rejection of true priesthood and worship**, as the Levites' migration underscores the incompatibility of Jeroboam's innovations with God's covenantal demands. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **consequences of disobedience** and the **corrupting influence of political expediency on spiritual truth**. Jeroboam's actions set a pattern of unfaithfulness that would define the Northern Kingdom's religious life, ultimately leading to its destruction and exile, demonstrating how deviations from God's commands can have far-reaching and devastating consequences for a nation ([2 Kings 17:7-23](/2_kings/17-7 "2 Kings 17:7-23 - Israel's Exile Due to Idolatry")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **High places (Hebrew, *bāmōt*):** These were elevated sites, often hills or constructed platforms, used for religious worship. While some early Israelite worship of Yahweh occurred on high places, they became increasingly associated with Canaanite and other pagan cults, serving as centers for idolatry, fertility rites, and child sacrifice. Jeroboam's appropriation of these sites for his new religious system solidified their condemnation in biblical narrative as symbols of syncretism and apostasy, representing a direct affront to the centralized worship commanded at the Jerusalem Temple.
* **Devils (Hebrew, *śəʿīrīm*):** Literally meaning "hairy ones," this term refers to goat-demons or satyrs, often depicted as half-human, half-goat creatures. These were pagan deities or demonic entities associated with wilderness spirits, lust, and grotesque fertility cults. The KJV's translation "devils" accurately conveys the sinister, demonic, and inherently idolatrous nature of these false gods, indicating that Jeroboam's religious innovations involved the worship of malevolent spiritual forces, not merely alternative forms of Yahweh worship.
* **Calves which he had made (Hebrew, *ʿăgālīm*):** This is a direct and intentional echo of the golden calf made by Aaron in the wilderness ([Exodus 32:4](/exodus/32-4 "Exodus 32:4 - Aaron's Golden Calf")). Jeroboam set up two such golden calves, one in Bethel and one in Dan ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")), proclaiming, "Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!" While perhaps initially intended as visible representations of Yahweh (a syncretistic attempt to make God tangible), they quickly devolved into full-blown idolatry, becoming objects of worship themselves and a symbol of Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he ordained him priests":** The "he" refers unequivocally to King Jeroboam I. The act of "ordaining" here is not a legitimate priestly consecration according to Mosaic law, but rather an unauthorized appointment. Jeroboam arrogated to himself the authority to establish a new priesthood, bypassing the Levitical lineage and the divine mandate for worship. This highlights his usurpation of religious authority for political ends.
* **"for the high places":** These priests were specifically appointed to minister at the *bāmōt*, the elevated pagan worship sites. This indicates that Jeroboam's new religious system was not merely an alternative to Jerusalem, but one that embraced practices explicitly forbidden by God, integrating elements of Canaanite idolatry into Israelite worship.
* **"and for the devils":** This phrase specifies one of the abominable deities these new priests were to serve. The worship of *śəʿīrīm* (goat-demons) was a direct violation of the first commandment, representing a descent into outright demonolatry and a complete abandonment of the worship of the one true God. It underscores the depth of Jeroboam's spiritual rebellion.
* **"and for the calves which he had made":** This clause points to the most iconic and enduring symbol of Jeroboam's apostasy. The golden calves at Bethel and Dan became the central objects of worship in the Northern Kingdom. The phrase "which he had made" emphasizes Jeroboam's human agency in creating these idols, contrasting them sharply with the God of Israel who is unmade and eternal. These calves were not merely symbols; they became objects of veneration, leading Israel into profound idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as Jeroboam's attempt to secure his kingdom through religious innovation ultimately leads to its spiritual decay and eventual destruction, demonstrating the futility of human schemes against divine will. There is also significant **foreshadowing**, as this act of establishing a false priesthood and idolatrous worship sets the trajectory for the Northern Kingdom's consistent unfaithfulness, which culminates in its exile by Assyria. The verse presents a stark **contrast** between the legitimate, divinely ordained priesthood and worship centered in Jerusalem (as championed by the faithful Levites in the preceding verses) and Jeroboam's man-made, politically motivated, and idolatrous religious system. Finally, **symbolism** is powerfully used: the "high places" symbolize syncretism and forbidden worship, the "devils" symbolize outright demonolatry and spiritual perversion, and the "calves" symbolize the repeated temptation of Israel to create a visible, controllable god, echoing the sin of Aaron and embodying the nation's spiritual harlotry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of 2 Chronicles 11:15 are profound, speaking to the nature of true worship, the dangers of idolatry, and the consequences of spiritual compromise. Jeroboam's actions represent a deliberate rejection of God's revealed will concerning worship, priesthood, and the sanctity of the Jerusalem Temple. This act underscores that true worship must be God-ordained, not man-made, and that any deviation from divine instruction, even if politically motivated, constitutes a grave sin. The verse highlights the insidious nature of idolatry, which often begins with a desire to make God more accessible or controllable, but inevitably leads to the worship of created things or demonic entities. It serves as a stark reminder that God demands exclusive devotion and that spiritual innovation outside of His command is an act of rebellion.

* [Deuteronomy 12:5-14](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5-14 - Centralized Worship")
* [Hosea 8:4-6](/hosea/8-4 "Hosea 8:4-6 - Israel's Idols and Judgment")
* [Romans 1:22-23](/romans/1-22 "Romans 1:22-23 - The Folly of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The historical account of Jeroboam's apostasy in 2 Chronicles 11:15 serves as a timeless warning for believers today. It powerfully illustrates the dangers of spiritual compromise, particularly when faith is sacrificed for worldly gain, political stability, or personal convenience. Jeroboam's motivation was to secure his kingdom, but in doing so, he led his people into profound spiritual darkness. This challenges us to examine our own lives: are there areas where we compromise our convictions for comfort, popularity, or perceived security? Furthermore, the verse warns against man-made religion. When we deviate from God's revealed will and create worship practices or theological interpretations based on human desires, traditions, or perceived needs rather than divine instruction, we risk falling into modern forms of idolatry. True worship, as Jesus declared, must be "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). This passage encourages us to remain vigilant against subtle forms of idolatry in our own lives, whether it be the worship of material possessions, self-image, success, or anything that takes the place of God as the ultimate object of our devotion and trust. It calls us to unwavering fidelity to God's Word and His prescribed ways, even when it is costly or unpopular.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might political or social pressures tempt believers today to compromise their faith or deviate from God's revealed truth?**
* **How can we discern between genuine spiritual innovation guided by the Holy Spirit and "man-made religion" that subtly replaces God's commands with human traditions?**
* **What "golden calves" or "high places" might exist in our contemporary culture or even within the church that subtly draw our allegiance away from the exclusive worship of God?**
* **Considering the Levites' willingness to leave their homes, what personal sacrifices might be required to maintain faithfulness to God's truth in a compromising world?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jeroboam establish these new places of worship and ordain his own priests?**

Answer: Jeroboam's primary motivation was political, not spiritual. As detailed in [1 Kings 12:26-27](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-27 - Jeroboam's Political Fears"), he feared that if his subjects continued to go to Jerusalem for the prescribed annual festivals, their hearts would return to Rehoboam, the king of Judah, and they would ultimately kill Jeroboam and return to the house of David. To prevent this, he created an alternative religious system within his own kingdom, complete with new worship sites at Bethel and Dan, golden calves, and an unauthorized priesthood, thereby severing his people's spiritual ties to Jerusalem and the legitimate Davidic monarchy.

**What exactly are the "devils" (śəʿīrīm) mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew term *śəʿīrīm* literally translates to "hairy ones" and refers to goat-demons or satyrs. These were pagan deities or demonic entities often associated with wilderness spirits, lust, and grotesque fertility cults in the ancient Near East. Their worship involved practices contrary to the worship of Yahweh and was considered an abomination. The KJV's translation "devils" accurately conveys the sinister and demonic nature of these entities, indicating that Jeroboam's religious innovations led the Northern Kingdom into outright demonolatry, not merely a different form of Yahweh worship.

**What happened to the legitimate priests and Levites after Jeroboam's actions?**

Answer: According to [2 Chronicles 11:13-14](/2_chronicles/11-13 "2 Chronicles 11:13-14 - Levites Migrate to Judah"), the legitimate priests and Levites from all over Israel, who were faithful to the Lord, left their homes and possessions in the Northern Kingdom. They migrated to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from their duties to the Lord, preventing them from serving in the legitimate worship of God. This mass exodus of faithful religious leaders further solidified Jeroboam's apostasy and deprived the Northern Kingdom of spiritual guidance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The spiritual void and illicit worship established by Jeroboam in 2 Chronicles 11:15 find their ultimate contrast and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jeroboam ordained false priests and instituted a man-made religion centered on idols, but Christ is the true and perfect High Priest, not ordained by human hands or earthly lineage, but "according to the power of an indestructible life" ([Hebrews 7:16](/hebrews/7-16 "Hebrews 7:16 - Christ's Indestructible Priesthood")). Unlike the ineffective sacrifices offered at Jeroboam's high places, Christ offered one perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice on the cross, taking away the sin of the world ([Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). The golden calves and goat-demons represented a futile attempt to worship a tangible, controllable deity, but Jesus reveals the invisible God in His fullness, declaring, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Seeing the Father in Jesus")). Furthermore, Jeroboam's system led to spiritual blindness and eventual judgment, but Christ establishes a new covenant where true worship is not confined to a physical temple or specific high place, but is "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), making every believer a priest in His kingdom ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")). Thus, the tragedy of Jeroboam's apostasy ultimately points to the glorious reality of Christ, who perfectly fulfills the law, purifies worship, and delivers His people from all forms of idolatry, leading them into genuine communion with the living God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 12:28

Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 32:17

They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new [gods that] came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

1 Kings 12:31

And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

1 Kings 13:33

After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became [one] of the priests of the high places.

Exodus 32:31

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

1 Kings 14:9

But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:

Revelation 16:14

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.