English · KJV
H7413

רָמָה

râmâh /raw-maw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfeminine active participle of רוּם
Meaninga height (as a seat of idolatry)
KJV usagehigh place.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of râmâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word râmâh, represented by H7413, refers to a high place, specifically as a seat of idolatry. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. The term consistently denotes a physical location constructed for pagan worship and spiritual unfaithfulness.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7413 is used exclusively in the book of Ezekiel to condemn the idolatrous practices of Jerusalem. The city is depicted as having built a high place at the head of every way and in every street (Ezekiel 16:24, Ezekiel 16:25). This construction is directly linked to spiritual prostitution, where the nation made its beauty abhorrent and multiplied its whoredoms Ezekiel 16:25. The term is not just descriptive of a location but is part of a prophetic judgment, where God declares that these same high places will be broken down as a consequence of this unfaithfulness Ezekiel 16:39.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of idolatry and its setting:

  • H1129 bânâh (to build (literally and figuratively)): This root is used to describe the intentional construction of the high place H7413, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the rebellion against God Ezekiel 16:25.
  • H1354 gab (eminent (higher) place): Often used in parallel with râmâh, this term reinforces the idea of a prominent, elevated location built for illicit worship in public view Ezekiel 16:24.
  • H5422 nâthats (to tear down): This word describes the prophesied consequence for building the high place H7413, signifying divine judgment and the complete overthrow of these idolatrous structures Ezekiel 16:39.
  • H2181 zânâh (to commit idolatry (the Jewish people being regarded as the spouse of Jehovah)): This term defines the spiritual crime for which the high place H7413 was built, framing Israel's unfaithfulness as playing the harlot Ezekiel 16:31.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7413 is centered on themes of rebellion, spiritual corruption, and judgment.

  • Deliberate Idolatry: The act of building a high place H7413 is presented not as an accident, but as a willful construction of a site for false worship, located in public spaces like every street and the head of every way (Ezekiel 16:24, Ezekiel 16:25).
  • Spiritual Harlotry: The high place serves as the stage for Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, described as multiplying whoredoms H8457 and opening her feet to every passerby, making her beauty something to be abhorred H8581 Ezekiel 16:25.
  • Inevitable Judgment: The narrative makes clear that what is built in rebellion will be destroyed in judgment. God promises to give the people over to their enemies who will throw down and break down their high places, stripping them of their glory and leaving them naked and bare Ezekiel 16:39.

Summary

In summary, H7413 râmâh is a highly specific term used in Ezekiel to denote a high place constructed for idolatry. It is not a neutral geographical feature but a symbol of defiant rebellion and spiritual prostitution. The word's context illustrates a cycle of sin: the willful building of these sites, the corrupt acts performed there, and the resulting divine judgment that promises their complete destruction.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 5 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • רָמָה
  • רָמָתֵ
  • רָמֹתַיִ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1129 בָּנָה a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), H1354 גַב from an unused root meaning to hollow or curve; (compare גֵּו and גּוּף); the back (as rounded); by analogy, the top or H5422 נָתַץ a primitive root; to tear down; beat down, break down (out), cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down. H2181 זָנָה a primitive root (highly-fed and therefore wanton); to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple H8457 תַּזְנוּת or תַּזְנֻת; from זָנָה; harlotry, i.e. (figuratively) idolatry; fornication, whoredom. H8581 תַּעָב a primitive root; to loathe, i.e. (morally) detest; (make to be) abhor(-red), (be, commit more, do) abominable(-y), [idi

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

4 verses, all in Ezekiel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.