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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 12:3 Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/12-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/12_2Ki_12_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 12:3 - Joash Repairs the Temple" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Yet even so, he did not destroy the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Only the high places did not end; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Only the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Only the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Only the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Only the high places were not removed; the people were still sacrificing and burning incense [to the LORD] on the high places [rather than at the temple].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Howbeit the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But even Joash did not destroy the local shrines, and they were still used as places for offering sacrifices. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Howbeit the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But the illegal places of worship weren't torn down. The people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense at these worship sites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />However, the pagan places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />except that the high places were not demolished, so the people continued to sacrifice and burn incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But the high places were not eliminated; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense on the high places. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />However the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />However, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense in the high places. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />only, the high places have not been removed—the people are still sacrificing and making incense in high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> only, the high places have not turned aside, still are the people sacrificing and making perfume in high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Only the heights were not removed; the people yet sacrificing and burning incense upon the heights.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But yet he took not away the high places: for the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet still he did not take away the high places. For the people were still immolating, and burning incense, in the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />though the high places did not disappear; the people continued to sacrifice and to burn incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings on the high places.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But the temples of idols were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />However, he did not remove the high places, and the people were still sacrificing and were burning incense on high places.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Howbeit the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and offered in the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Only there were not <i>any</i> of the high places removed, and the people still sacrificed there, and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/12-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=4076" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/12.htm">Joash Repairs the Temple</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days he was instructed by Jehoiada the priest. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">Nevertheless,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: hab·bā·mō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">the high places</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">were not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: sā·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">removed;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·wḏ (Adv) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">continued</a> <a href="/hebrew/2076.htm" title="2076: mə·zab·bə·ḥîm (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To slaughter for sacrifice. A primitive root; to slaughter an animal.">sacrificing</a> <a href="/hebrew/6999.htm" title="6999: ū·mə·qaṭ·ṭə·rîm (Conj-w:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- To make sacrifices smoke. A primitive root; to smoke, i.e. Turn into fragrance by fire.">and burning incense</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: bab·bā·mō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fp) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">there.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money brought as sacred gifts into the house of the LORD—the census money, the money from vows, and the money brought voluntarily into the house of the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm">1 Kings 15:14</a></span><br />The high places were not removed, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">1 Kings 22:43</a></span><br />And Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn away from them, but did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/15-17.htm">2 Chronicles 15:17</a></span><br />The high places were not removed from Israel, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted all his days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-33.htm">2 Chronicles 20:33</a></span><br />The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-2.htm">1 Kings 3:2-3</a></span><br />The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built. / And Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></span><br />They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">2 Kings 14:4</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/15-4.htm">2 Kings 15:4</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/15-35.htm">2 Kings 15:35</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-4.htm">2 Kings 16:4</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10-11</a></span><br />They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. / They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a></span><br />For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">2 Kings 23:5</a></span><br />Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-17.htm">2 Chronicles 33:17</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-31.htm">Jeremiah 7:31</a></span><br />They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">2 Kings 14:4</a></b></br> Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm">1 Kings 15:14</a></b></br> But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/10-26.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-26.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-6.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-25.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-19.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-24.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-29.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-29.htm">However</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/2_kings/11-12.htm">Making</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-19.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-24.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-18.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-24.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-1.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-10.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-46.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-19.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-24.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-32.htm">Sacrificing</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-31.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-3.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-3.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-6.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-10.htm">High</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-13.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-13.htm">However</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-12.htm">Making</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-6.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-16.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-5.htm">Places</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">Sacrificing</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-17.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/12-1.htm">Jehoash reigns well all the days of Jehoiada</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/12-4.htm">He gives order for the repair of the temple</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/12-17.htm">Hazael is diverted from Jerusalem by a present of the hallowed treasures</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/12-19.htm">Jehoash being slain, Amaziah succeeds him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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These locations were prevalent in ancient Israel and Judah, despite God's command to worship exclusively at the temple in Jerusalem (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-5</a>). The persistence of high places indicates a failure to fully adhere to God's instructions, reflecting a recurring theme of incomplete obedience among the kings of Israel and Judah. This phrase highlights the tension between centralized worship in Jerusalem and local religious practices. The failure to remove high places is a common critique of many kings, including those who were otherwise considered righteous, such as Asa and Jehoshaphat (<a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm">1 Kings 15:14</a>; 22:43).<p><b>the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.</b><br>Sacrificing and burning incense were central acts of worship in ancient Israel, intended to honor God and seek His favor. However, when performed at unauthorized sites, these acts were considered idolatrous or syncretistic, blending the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. This behavior reflects the people's attachment to traditional local worship sites and their resistance to religious reforms. The persistence of these practices underscores the challenge of leading the nation back to exclusive worship of Yahweh. It also foreshadows the eventual downfall of both Israel and Judah, as their continued idolatry leads to divine judgment (<a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7-23</a>; <a href="/2_kings/21-10.htm">2 Kings 21:10-15</a>). This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the dangers of compromising true worship.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joash.htm">Joash (Jehoash)</a></b><br>King of Judah who reigned for 40 years. He is noted for repairing the temple but failed to remove the high places.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/high_places.htm">High Places</a></b><br>Elevated sites where people worshiped and offered sacrifices, often associated with idolatry and syncretism.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, where Joash reigned as king.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_of_the_lord.htm">Temple of the LORD</a></b><br>The central place of worship in Jerusalem, which Joash sought to repair and restore.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests_and_levites.htm">Priests and Levites</a></b><br>Religious leaders responsible for temple worship and sacrifices, involved in the temple's restoration under Joash.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/incomplete_obedience.htm">Incomplete Obedience</a></b><br>Joash's failure to remove the high places serves as a reminder that partial obedience to God is not enough. We must strive for complete faithfulness in our walk with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a></b><br>Allowing high places to remain represents compromise with the world. Believers are called to be set apart and not conform to worldly practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_true_worship.htm">The Importance of True Worship</a></b><br>Worship should be directed solely to God and conducted in the manner He prescribes. We must guard against idolatry in any form.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_responsibility.htm">Leadership Responsibility</a></b><br>Leaders have a duty to guide their people in righteousness. Joash's failure to remove the high places highlights the impact of leadership on spiritual health.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faithfulness.htm">Legacy of Faithfulness</a></b><br>Our actions and decisions leave a legacy. Joash's initial reforms were overshadowed by his later failures, reminding us to remain steadfast throughout our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_weren't_high_places_removed_in_2_kings_12_3.htm">In 2 Kings 12:3, why were the high places not removed if Jehoash was supposedly following God’s commands? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_2_chr_27_1-2_say_jotham_was_faithful.htm">How can 2 Chronicles 27:1–2 claim Jotham faithfully followed God if “the high places” were not removed, suggesting partial disobedience? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_solomon's_sacrifice_conflict_with_bans.htm">Does Solomon's sacrifice at high places (1 Kings 3:2-3) conflict with scriptural bans on worship outside the central sanctuary?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_high_places_remain_in_1_kings_15_14.htm">In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">But</span>.--<span class= "ital">Save that</span>; as at <a href="/2_kings/15-4.htm" title="Save that the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burnt incense still on the high places.">2Kings 15:4</a>. (For the statement of the verse, comp. <a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm" title="But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.">1Kings 15:14</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Sacrificed . . . burnt.</span>--<span class= "ital">Were wont to sacrifice . . . burn.</span> The worship of the high places continued even under the <span class= "ital">regime</span> of Jehoiada.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But the high places were not taken away.</span> So it had been with the best of the previous kings of Judah, as Asa (<a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm">1 Kings 15:14</a>) and Jehoshaphat (<a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">1 Kings 22:43</a>); and so it was with the other "good" kings (<a href="/2_kings/14-4.htm">2 Kings 14:4</a>; <a href="/2_kings/15-4.htm">2 Kings 15:4, 35</a>) until the reign of Hezekiah, by whom the high places were removed (see below, <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a>). We must remember that it was Jehovah who was worshipped in the "high places," not Baal, or Moloch, or Ashtoreth (see the comment on <a href="/1_kings/15-14.htm">1 Kings 15:14</a>). <span class="cmt_word">The people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.</span> The people, not the king, in the earlier portion of his reign; but in the later portion, probably the king also (see <a href="/2_chronicles/24-17.htm">2 Chronicles 24:17, 18</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/12-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Nevertheless,</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(raq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the high places</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבָּמ֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bā·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> </span><span class="str2">An elevation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">removed;</span><br /><span class="heb">סָ֑רוּ</span> <span class="translit">(sā·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">continued</span><br /><span class="heb">ע֥וֹד</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sacrificing</span><br /><span class="heb">מְזַבְּחִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·zab·bə·ḥîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2076.htm">Strong's 2076: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slaughter for sacrifice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and burning incense</span><br /><span class="heb">וּֽמְקַטְּרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·qaṭ·ṭə·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6999.htm">Strong's 6999: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[there].</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּבָּמֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(bab·bā·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> </span><span class="str2">An elevation</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/12-3.htm">2 Kings 12:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/12-3.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 12:3 However the high places were not taken (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/12-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 12:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 12:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/12-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 12:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 12:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>