What was Bamah?

Bamah (Hebrew: בָּמָה, bāmāh) means “high place.” In the Old Testament, it refers to an elevated site used for religious worship. While the term can refer to legitimate worship locations early in Israel’s history, by the time of the prophets, “bamah” typically denoted pagan worship sites associated with idolatry, syncretism, and spiritual rebellion. In Ezekiel 20:29, the Lord sarcastically questions, “What is this high place you go to?” (which is called Bamah to this day), highlighting the nation’s long-standing pattern of unfaithfulness.

The plural form, bamot, is used frequently throughout the Old Testament to describe the locations where Israel turned from the worship of Yahweh to false gods such as Baal, Asherah, and Molech. These high places were often located on hills, under trees, or near flowing water and included altars, standing stones, and carved images.

Biblical References and Cross-References

• Ezekiel 20:28-29: God recounts Israel’s idolatrous history, focusing on how they defiled the land with their high places.

• 1 Kings 14:23: Judah is said to have built high places on every high hill and under every green tree.

• 2 Kings 17:9-11: Israel secretly built high places in all their towns.

• Jeremiah 7:31: Reference to Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom where children were sacrificed—often at a bamah.

• Leviticus 26:30: God warns that He will destroy high places as judgment for disobedience.

What Happened in the Bible?

In Ezekiel 20, the prophet speaks on behalf of God to the elders of Israel who come to inquire of the Lord. Instead of answering their questions, God reminds them of their continuous rebellion throughout history—particularly their idolatry at the high places. These bamot became central to Israel‘s disobedience, where they offered sacrifices not to Yahweh, but to foreign gods and even practiced human sacrifice.

The Lord emphasizes that despite His many acts of mercy and deliverance—from Egypt, in the wilderness, and in the Promised Land—Israel continually defiled themselves with pagan customs. The reference in Ezekiel 20:29 is almost sarcastic: “So I asked them: What is this high place you go to?” The question exposes the contradiction of their religious hypocrisy. They pretended to seek the Lord while clinging to the very places that offended Him.

Meaning for Today’s Christians

Bamah symbolizes false worship, compromise, and the elevation of manmade religion over God‘s truth. Today, Christians may not worship at literal high places, but “bamot of the heart” still exist—idols of pride, materialism, pleasure, or self-will. When believers elevate their desires above the Lord’s commands, they engage in a modern form of idolatry.

Ezekiel’s warning is timeless: God desires undivided loyalty. Spiritual compromise, even in the form of religious-looking acts, is unacceptable to a holy God.

How Bamah Points to Jesus and the Gospel

The high places highlight humanity’s deep need for a true and pure Mediator. The repeated failures of Israel at the bamot underscore that religion without a transformed heart leads to death. Jesus, the true High Priest and ultimate sacrifice, fulfilled what all the distorted worship at the high places could never achieve.

Where Israel defiled themselves on hills with false gods, Jesus ascended a different hill—Calvary—to offer a once-for-all atonement for sin (Hebrews 10:10). He tore down every spiritual “bamah” through His death and resurrection, granting believers full access to God through faith, not ritual.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. Idolatry and Spiritual Adultery

Bamah represents Israel‘s unfaithfulness. Throughout Scripture, idolatry is portrayed as spiritual adultery (Hosea 1–3; Jeremiah 3:6–10), and bamot were the physical places where this betrayal occurred.

2. God’s Mercy Amid Judgment

Even as God recounts Israel’s sins at the high places, He repeatedly shows mercy. Ezekiel 20 presents God’s refusal to destroy them completely, offering hope even in the face of judgment.

3. True Worship

The Bible draws a contrast between man-made religion and Spirit-led worship (John 4:23-24). Jesus redefined the idea of a sacred place—not as a hill or temple, but as wherever God is worshiped in spirit and truth.

4. The Holiness of God

God’s disdain for bamot reflects His utter holiness. He does not tolerate divided hearts or syncretistic religion. He calls His people to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Reflection Questions

1. What are the “high places” in your own heart or life that compete with God’s rightful rule?

2. Are there religious practices you cling to that lack true devotion to Christ?

3. How does understanding the danger of the high places deepen your appreciation for Jesus’ perfect sacrifice?

4. In what ways can the Church today guard against spiritual compromise and false worship?

5. How does God‘s repeated mercy in Ezekiel 20 encourage you when you fail?

“What is this high place you go to?” (Ezekiel 20:29) remains a sobering question—not just for ancient Israel, but for every generation tempted to elevate something above the Lord.