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.

Howbeit the high places {H1116} were not taken away {H5493}: as yet {H5750} the people {H5971} did sacrifice {H2076} and burnt incense {H6999} on the high places {H1116}.

However, the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and offered on the high places.

Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

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

Commentary

2 Kings 14:4 provides a crucial caveat to the reign of King Amaziah of Judah, stating, "Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places." This verse highlights a persistent religious challenge faced by many kings in Judah, even those who largely sought to follow the Lord.

Context

King Amaziah, son of Joash, began his reign in Judah and generally "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord" (2 Kings 14:3), specifically by punishing those who murdered his father, in accordance with the Law of Moses. However, this verse immediately qualifies his righteousness by pointing out a significant failure: the continued existence and use of "high places." These were local altars, often on hills or elevated sites, used for worship outside of the centralized Temple in Jerusalem. While some might have been dedicated to Yahweh, their existence encouraged syncretism and violated God's command for singular worship at the designated sanctuary.

Key Themes

  • Partial Obedience: Amaziah's reign exemplifies a common pattern among the kings of Judah where personal righteousness or adherence to some aspects of the Law was undermined by a failure to fully eradicate forbidden practices. This partial obedience often led to spiritual compromise for the nation.
  • Persistent Idolatry and Syncretism: The "high places" represent a deep-seated issue within Israelite society. Even when kings were faithful, the people continued to engage in unauthorized worship, often mixing pagan rituals with true worship, or simply worshipping God in a forbidden manner. This issue is a recurring problem, as seen with King Asa who also did not remove the high places.
  • Centralized Worship: God's Law, particularly in Deuteronomy, mandated a single place for sacrificial worship to prevent idolatry and maintain the purity of worship (Deuteronomy 12:5). The failure to remove the high places was a direct affront to this divine command, allowing for fragmented and often corrupted religious practices.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "high places" is bamah (Χ‘ΦΈΦΌΧžΦΈΧ”). While originally referring to a natural elevation, in biblical context, it came to signify these unauthorized altars for worship, often associated with Canaanite fertility cults or simply an improper form of worship for Yahweh. The phrase "did sacrifice and burnt incense" indicates active, ongoing worship at these sites, not merely their passive existence.

Significance and Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true devotion requires complete obedience, not just partial compliance. For believers today, the "high places" can represent any area of our lives where we allow compromise, unauthorized practices, or divided loyalties to persist, hindering our full devotion to God. It underscores the importance of:

  • Thorough Spiritual Cleansing: Just as the high places needed to be removed, we must be diligent in identifying and eliminating anything that competes with God's rightful place in our hearts or distorts true worship.
  • Undivided Loyalty: God desires our whole heart and exclusive devotion, not a mix of truth and error, or worship alongside worldly practices.
  • Leadership Responsibility: The king's failure to remove the high places had a ripple effect on the nation, demonstrating the significant impact leaders have on the spiritual health of those they govern.

2 Kings 14:4 cautions against complacency and encourages a steadfast commitment to God's revealed will in all areas of life, ensuring that our worship is pure and undivided.

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

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 12:3

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

  • 2 Kings 16:4

    And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

  • 2 Kings 15:4

    Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on 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.
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