2 Kings 12:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 12:3 delivers a crucial qualification to the otherwise commendable reign of King Joash of Judah, stating that despite his generally righteous conduct under the tutelage of Jehoiada the priest, the "high places" were not removed. This verse highlights a persistent spiritual compromise, revealing that the people continued to engage in illicit sacrifices and burn incense at these local shrines, which often blended the worship of Yahweh with pagan customs, thereby undermining the purity of Israelite faith and the divine command for centralized worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the positive assessment of King Joash's reign in [2 Kings 12:2](/2_kings/12-2 "2 Kings 12:2 - Joash's Righteous Reign"), which states, "And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him." The conjunction "But" at the beginning of [2 Kings 12:3](/2_kings/12-3 "2 Kings 12:3 - The Unremoved High Places") signals a significant caveat to this otherwise favorable report. This literary device of immediate qualification is common in the Books of Kings, often used to temper positive evaluations of kings who failed to fully eradicate idolatrous practices. The subsequent narrative in [2 Kings 12:4-16](/2_kings/12-4 "2 Kings 12:4-16 - Joash Repairs the Temple") details Joash's commendable efforts to repair the Jerusalem Temple, further emphasizing the tension between his genuine zeal for Yahweh's house and his failure to address the deeply entrenched problem of the high places. This juxtaposition underscores the complexity of spiritual leadership and the challenge of complete obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "high places" (Hebrew: _bamot_) were elevated cultic sites, often on hills or artificial mounds, that pre-dated the construction of the Jerusalem Temple. While some may have initially been legitimate places of worship for Yahweh, they became problematic after God commanded centralized worship at a single, chosen location in [Deuteronomy 12:5-14](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5-14 - The Command for Centralized Worship"). Their continued existence in Judah often indicated a syncretistic blend of Yahweh worship with Canaanite fertility cults and other pagan practices. Even when purportedly dedicated to Yahweh, they represented a deviation from the divinely ordained system, fostering a diluted and compromised faith. For a king to be considered fully righteous, a key responsibility was to dismantle these high places, as seen in the reforms of later kings like Hezekiah ([2 Kings 18:4](/2_kings/18-4 "2 Kings 18:4 - Hezekiah's Reforms")) and Josiah ([2 Kings 23:8](/2_kings/23-8 "2 Kings 23:8 - Josiah's Reforms")). Joash's failure reflects the deep cultural entrenchment of these practices and perhaps the pragmatic difficulty of enforcing complete religious uniformity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several recurring themes in the Books of Kings. The most prominent is **Partial Obedience and Compromise**, illustrating that even a king who largely "did what was right" could still harbor significant areas of disobedience. Joash's failure to remove the high places represents a critical spiritual "but" in his reign, highlighting that doing good in some areas does not negate persistent disobedience in others. Another crucial theme is the **Persistence of Idolatry and Syncretism**. The "high places" were a constant spiritual battleground for the kings of Judah, symbolizing the nation's ongoing struggle against the allure of pagan practices and the tendency to mix true worship with foreign customs. This syncretism undermined the exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh. Finally, the verse speaks to the **King's Responsibility** in leading the nation in full obedience. A primary duty of a righteous king was to eradicate idolatry and its associated practices, thereby safeguarding the spiritual purity of the people. Joash's inability to fully dismantle these shrines, even under the guidance of Jehoiada, underscores a limitation in his spiritual leadership and the societal challenge of religious reform.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **High places (Hebrew, _bamot'_):** This term refers to cultic sites, typically elevated, where sacrifices and other religious rites were performed. While some pre-monarchic worship of Yahweh might have legitimately occurred at such sites, after the command for centralized worship at the Jerusalem Temple (as detailed in [Deuteronomy 12](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - Centralized Worship")), these locations became illicit. Their continued use often indicated a blend of Yahweh worship with Canaanite practices, or at least a deviation from the prescribed divine order, fostering syncretism and undermining the uniqueness of Israel's covenant with God.
* **Sacrificed (Hebrew, _zavach'_):** This verb generally means "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice." In this context, it refers to the act of offering animals or other gifts to a deity. The issue here is not the act of sacrifice itself, which was central to Israelite worship, but the *location* and *context* of these sacrifices. Performing them at the "high places" rather than exclusively at the Jerusalem Temple constituted disobedience and often implied a compromised form of worship.
* **Burnt incense (Hebrew, _qatar'_):** This verb means "to cause to smoke" or "to burn incense." Incense burning was a significant act of worship, often associated with prayer and reverence. However, in the context of the high places, it was frequently linked to pagan rituals or illicit forms of Yahwistic worship, making it an act of spiritual compromise. The burning of incense at these unauthorized sites was a clear violation of God's commands regarding pure and centralized worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the high places were not taken away":** This opening clause serves as a stark contrast to the preceding verse, which lauded Joash's general righteousness. It immediately introduces the significant failure of his reign. The phrase "not taken away" implies a lack of decisive action, a critical omission in his religious reforms. This failure was a recurring problem for many kings of Judah, representing a deep-seated challenge to complete obedience.
* **"the people still sacrificed":** This part of the verse highlights the popular continuation of these illicit practices. It suggests that the king's inaction allowed the populace to persist in their traditional, yet unapproved, forms of worship. This indicates either a lack of royal authority or, more likely, a reluctance to impose a full religious reformation against popular sentiment.
* **"and burnt incense in the high places":** This final clause specifies another key act of worship performed at these unauthorized sites. The mention of "burnt incense" alongside "sacrificed" emphasizes the full range of cultic activities that continued outside the Jerusalem Temple. This reinforces the idea of ongoing syncretism and disobedience, as these acts, even if intended for Yahweh, were performed in a manner and location contrary to divine command.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Contrast** and **Juxtaposition** by immediately following the positive assessment of Joash's reign in [2 Kings 12:2](/2_kings/12-2 "2 Kings 12:2 - Joash's Righteous Reign") with the negative qualification in [2 Kings 12:3](/2_kings/12-3 "2 Kings 12:3 - The Unremoved High Places"). This "but" clause creates a tension that defines Joash's spiritual legacy: a king who did much good yet failed in a critical area of religious reform. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the "high places" motif throughout the Books of Kings serves as a structural device that underscores the persistent nature of this spiritual problem for the Israelite monarchy and nation, signaling a recurring failure to fully adhere to the covenant. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as this partial obedience and toleration of syncretistic practices ultimately contribute to the spiritual decline that leads to Judah's eventual exile.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The failure of King Joash to remove the high places, despite his otherwise commendable reign, powerfully illustrates the biblical theme of the danger of partial obedience and spiritual compromise. God's call to His people has always been for wholehearted devotion and exclusive worship, as articulated in the first commandment to have no other gods before Him ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods")). The high places represented a persistent temptation to blend Yahweh worship with cultural norms or pagan practices, a syncretism that diluted the purity of faith and undermined the covenant relationship. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that while outward acts of piety or significant achievements (like Joash's Temple repair) are important, they do not negate the spiritual danger of unaddressed areas of compromise or disobedience in one's life or in the life of a community. True righteousness demands thorough and complete adherence to God's revealed will.

* [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatrous Sites")
* [1 Samuel 15:22-23](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Joash's reign, particularly the poignant "but" of [2 Kings 12:3](/2_kings/12-3 "2 Kings 12:3 - The Unremoved High Places"), offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as Joash left the "high places" standing, we too can harbor areas of compromise in our lives—spiritual "high places" where we allow comfortable habits, cultural norms, or unaddressed sins to subtly undermine our complete devotion to God. These might be areas where we blend Christian faith with worldly values, where we tolerate less-than-holy practices, or where we prioritize personal convenience over God's clear commands. This verse challenges us to move beyond "good enough" and to pursue a thorough, uncompromising spiritual reform. It calls us to examine our hearts and lives for any lingering "high places" that might hinder our full obedience and intimate relationship with God, reminding us that true spiritual health requires consistent, radical faithfulness, not just partial adherence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or areas of spiritual compromise might exist in my own life today?**
* **In what ways am I tempted to blend my faith with cultural norms or settle for partial obedience instead of complete devotion to God?**
* **What specific steps can I take to identify and dismantle these "high places," ensuring a more thorough and uncompromising pursuit of holiness?**

### FAQ
**What exactly were "high places" and why were they problematic?**

Answer: "High places" (Hebrew: _bamot_) were elevated cultic sites, often on hills, where people offered sacrifices and performed other religious rituals. They were problematic primarily because they violated God's command for centralized worship at the single, chosen location, the Jerusalem Temple, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 12](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - Centralized Worship"). Their continued existence fostered syncretism, where the worship of Yahweh was often mixed with the practices of surrounding pagan cultures, leading to idolatry and a diluted faith. Even if the intent was to worship Yahweh, the unauthorized location and often corrupted practices made them an affront to God's holiness and His desire for exclusive devotion.

**Did Joash's failure to remove the high places negate his otherwise good reign?**

Answer: While Joash did many good things, particularly in repairing the Temple ([2 Kings 12:4-16](/2_kings/12-4 "2 Kings 12:4-16 - Joash Repairs the Temple")), his failure to remove the high places significantly qualified his reign. It did not negate all his good deeds, but it revealed a critical spiritual limitation and an incomplete obedience. This "but" clause highlights that even a generally righteous leader can have areas of compromise that undermine their full effectiveness and contribute to the nation's spiritual decline. It serves as a reminder that partial obedience is still disobedience in God's eyes, and that true faithfulness requires addressing all areas of life according to His will.

**Why didn't Jehoiada, the priest, ensure their removal, given his strong influence over Joash?**

Answer: Jehoiada certainly had immense influence over Joash, guiding him in doing "that which was right in the sight of the LORD" ([2 Kings 12:2](/2_kings/12-2 "2 Kings 12:2 - Joash's Righteous Reign")). However, the ultimate authority for such sweeping religious reforms, including the dismantling of popular cultic sites, rested with the king. There are several possible reasons for this omission: it could have been a pragmatic compromise to maintain popular support, as these sites were deeply ingrained in the people's religious practices; Jehoiada might have prioritized the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem as the most pressing reform; or perhaps it indicates that even the most righteous human leaders have limitations in their ability to enact complete spiritual purity, especially against deeply entrenched cultural norms.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The failure of King Joash to remove the high places, a recurring motif of incomplete obedience in the Old Testament, finds its ultimate and perfect resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Unlike Joash, whose reign was marked by a significant "but" of compromise, Jesus lived a life of absolute and [perfect obedience to the Father](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus' Perfect Obedience"), fulfilling every command and eradicating all spiritual "high places" of sin and idolatry. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Christ did not merely repair a temple, but became the [true Temple](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the True Temple"), the central and exclusive place where humanity can encounter God and offer pure worship. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fully dealing with the root of all spiritual compromise and syncretism. Furthermore, through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, Christ empowers believers in the New Covenant to dismantle the "high places" in their own hearts—those areas of compromise, hidden sin, or divided loyalties that hinder complete devotion. He calls us to worship God [in spirit and truth](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"), establishing a new reality where the need for physical "high places" is utterly superseded by the omnipresent reality of His reign and the accessibility of God's presence through Him.

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

2 Kings 14:4

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

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

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

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

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

Jeremiah 2:20

¶ 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

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.