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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_kings/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Jeroboam also erected buildings at the pagan shrines and ordained priests from the common people—those who were not from the priestly tribe of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he made houses on high places, and appointed priests from all the people who were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Jeroboam also made houses on high places, and he made priests from all people who were not of the sons (descendants) of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jeroboam also made shrines on the high places and made priests from the ranks of the people who were not Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and set up priests from every class of people who were not Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he made houses of high places, and made priests from among all the people, that were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jeroboam built small places of worship at the shrines and appointed men who were not from the tribe of Levi to serve as priests. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he made houses of high places, and made priests from among all the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jeroboam built worship sites on hilltops. He appointed men who were not descended from Levi to be priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jeroboam also built places of worship on hilltops, and he chose priests from families who were not of the tribe of Levi. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jeroboam built temples on the high places, and appointed his own priests from the fringe elements of the people who were not descendants of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He built temples on the high places and appointed as priests people who were not Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people, who were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he made a house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, who were not of the sons of Levi.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places and appointed from every class of people priests who were not Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He made houses of high places, and made priests from among all the people, who were not of the sons of Levi. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he makes the house of high places, and makes priests from the extremities of the people, who were not of the sons of Levi;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he maketh the house of high places, and maketh priests of the extremities of the people, who were not of the sons of Levi;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will make a house of heights, and be will make priests from the ends of the people who were not of the sons of Levi.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he made temples in the high places, and priests of the lowest of the people, who were not of the sons of Levi. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he made shrines on the high places, and he made priests out of the lowest people, who were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He also built temples on the high places and made priests from among the common people who were not Levites. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He also made houses on high places, and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not Levites.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he made a temple of idols, and made priests from among the people who were not of the sons of Levi.<CL>And after he had buried him, he said to his sons, When I die, bury me in the sepulchre wherein the prophet of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he made a house of idols, and he made Priests of the people, those who were not of the sons of Levi.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he made houses of high places, and made priests from among all the people, that were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he made houses on the high places, and made priests of any part of the people, who were not of the sons of Levi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/12-31.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/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=5057" 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/1_kings/12.htm">Jeroboam's Idolatry</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">Jeroboam also built</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">shrines</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: bā·mō·wṯ (N-fp) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">on the high places</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: way·ya·‘aś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">and appointed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7098.htm" title="7098: miq·ṣō·wṯ (Prep-m:: N-fpc) -- An end. Feminine of qatseh; a termination.">from every class</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.">of people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: kō·hă·nîm (N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">were</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.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: mib·bə·nê (Prep-m:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">Levites.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3878.htm" title="3878: lê·wî (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him. From lavah; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob."></a> </span><span class="reftext">32</span>And Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar; he made this offering in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had set up, and he installed priests in Bethel for the high places he had set up.…<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="/2_chronicles/11-15.htm">2 Chronicles 11:15</a></span><br />And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-32.htm">2 Kings 17:32</a></span><br />So the new residents worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed for themselves priests of all sorts to serve in the shrines of the high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-4.htm">Exodus 32:4-5</a></span><br />He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” / When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before the calf and proclaimed: “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/13-33.htm">1 Kings 13:33-34</a></span><br />Even after these events, Jeroboam did not repent of his evil ways, but again he appointed priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained anyone who desired to be a priest of the high places. / And this was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its extermination and destruction from the face of the earth.<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="/leviticus/17-7.htm">Leviticus 17:7</a></span><br />They must no longer offer their sacrifices to the goat demons to which they have prostituted themselves. This will be a permanent statute for them for the generations to come.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4-6</a></span><br />They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. / He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? / For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/7-10.htm">Amos 7:10-13</a></span><br />Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words, / for this is what Amos has said: ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their homeland.’” / And Amaziah said to Amos, “Go away, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah; earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-9.htm">1 Kings 14:9</a></span><br />You have done more evil than all who came before you. You have proceeded to make for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me, and you have flung Me behind your back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31-33</a></span><br />And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. / First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. / Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-9.htm">2 Chronicles 13:9</a></span><br />But did you not drive out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites? And did you not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-6</a></span><br />Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-31.htm">1 Kings 11:31</a></span><br />and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/15-26.htm">1 Kings 15:26</a></span><br />And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.</p><p class="hdg">an house</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/13-24.htm">1 Kings 13:24,32</a></b></br> And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/24-15.htm">Deuteronomy 24:15</a></b></br> At his day thou shalt give <i>him</i> his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he <i>is</i> poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-25.htm">Ezekiel 16:25</a></b></br> Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.</p><p class="hdg">priests</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/13-33.htm">1 Kings 13:33</a></b></br> After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became <i>one</i> of the priests of the high places.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10</a></b></br> And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/17-32.htm">2 Kings 17:32</a></b></br> So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/12-12.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-25.htm">Built</a> <a href="/acts/17-12.htm">Classes</a> <a href="/exodus/27-4.htm">Extremities</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">High</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-27.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-10.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-26.htm">Jeroboam</a> <a href="/joshua/21-10.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-27.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-5.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-11.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-28.htm">Sorts</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-30.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/13-33.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Built</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-32.htm">Classes</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-32.htm">Extremities</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-32.htm">High</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-32.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-32.htm">Jeroboam</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-1.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-27.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-32.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-32.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-32.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-32.htm">Sorts</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-24.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-1.htm">The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-4.htm">by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-6.htm">Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, answers them roughly</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam flee</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-21.htm">Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-25.htm">Jeroboam strengthens himself by cities</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/12-26.htm">and by idolatry of the two calves</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places</b><br>Jeroboam's actions in building shrines on high places reflect a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religions, where high places were often associated with worship and sacrifice. This was contrary to the centralization of worship that God commanded in <a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5-14</a>, where He instructed that sacrifices should be made only at the place He chose. Jeroboam's decision to establish these shrines was a direct challenge to the religious reforms of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, which was the designated place for worship. This act of building high places was a significant step in leading the northern kingdom of Israel into idolatry, as it encouraged the people to worship outside of the prescribed manner and location.<p><b>and appointed from every class of people priests</b><br>In appointing priests from every class of people, Jeroboam broke with the Mosaic Law, which specified that only the descendants of Levi, and specifically the family of Aaron, were to serve as priests (<a href="/exodus/28.htm">Exodus 28:1</a>, <a href="/numbers/3-10.htm">Numbers 3:10</a>). This democratization of the priesthood undermined the established religious order and was a move to consolidate his political power by creating a new religious system that was loyal to him. This action can be seen as a rejection of God's ordained structure for worship and leadership, leading to spiritual decline and confusion among the people.<p><b>who were not Levites</b><br>The appointment of non-Levites as priests was a significant violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel. The Levites were set apart for service to God, and their role was integral to maintaining the purity and holiness of worship (<a href="/numbers/18.htm">Numbers 18:1-7</a>). By choosing priests who were not Levites, Jeroboam not only disregarded God's commands but also set a precedent for further religious corruption. This act foreshadowed the eventual downfall of the northern kingdom, as it strayed further from God's laws. The New Testament echoes the importance of proper spiritual leadership, as seen in the qualifications for church leaders in <a href="/1_timothy/3.htm">1 Timothy 3</a> and <a href="/titus/1.htm">Titus 1</a>, emphasizing the need for adherence to God's standards.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeroboam.htm">Jeroboam</a></b><br>The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. He led Israel into idolatry by setting up golden calves and appointing non-Levitical priests.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/high_places.htm">High Places</a></b><br>Elevated sites often used for worship in ancient Israel. These were contrary to God's command to worship at the temple in Jerusalem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/non-levitical_priests.htm">Non-Levitical Priests</a></b><br>Jeroboam appointed priests from tribes other than Levi, which was against the Mosaic Law that designated the Levites as the priestly tribe.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a></b><br>Jeroboam's actions remind us of the subtlety and danger of idolatry, which can lead us away from true worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The importance of adhering to God's instructions, especially regarding worship, as deviation can lead to spiritual downfall.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_responsibility.htm">Leadership Responsibility</a></b><br>Leaders have a significant influence on the spiritual direction of their people. Jeroboam's choices led Israel into sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_proper_worship.htm">The Importance of Proper Worship</a></b><br>Worship should be conducted according to God's standards, not human convenience or innovation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_compromise.htm">Guarding Against Compromise</a></b><br>Compromise in spiritual matters can lead to a gradual decline in faithfulness to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_jeroboam's_biblical_sin.htm">What was Jeroboam's sin in biblical history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_judah's_kings_follow_or_stray_from_god.htm">How did Judah's kings follow or stray from God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_archaeological_proof_of_ezekiel_6_4-5.htm">Why does Ezekiel 6:4–5 describe a destruction of altars and idols that lacks clear archaeological confirmation of such widespread devastation? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_jeroboam's_golden_calves.htm">What archaeological evidence supports or questions the existence of Jeroboam's golden calves in 1 Kings 12:28?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31, 32) <span class= "bld">Of the lowest of the people.</span>--This is universally recognised as a mistranslation, though a natural one, of the original, "the ends of the people." The sense is "from the whole mass of the people," without care for Levitical descent--the Levites having (see <a href="/context/2_chronicles/11-13.htm" title="And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.">2Chronicles 11:13-14</a>) generally returned into the kingdom of Judah on the establishment of this idolatry. It is hardly likely that the king would have lacked because at Dan an unauthorised Levitical priesthood was (as has been said) forthcoming.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he made an house of high places</span> [See on 1 Kings 3:2, and cf. <a href="/2_kings/17-29.htm">2 Kings 17:29</a>. It is often assumed (Keil, Rawlinson, <span class="accented">al.</span> after Josephus) that Jeroboam built <span class="accented">two</span> temples for his cherubim, and the statement of the text, that he built one, is explained on the ground that the historian contrasts the "house of high places" with the "house of the Lord." Ewald, too, after <a href="/2_kings/17-29.htm">2 Kings 17:29, 32</a>, understands the words as <span class="accented">plural</span>. But is it not more probable that a chapel or sanctuary already existed at Dan, where an irregular priesthood had ministered for more than four hundred years? This verse would then refer exclusively to Jeroboam's procedure at <span class="accented">Bethel</span> (see next verse). There he built a temple and ordained a number of priests, but Dan had both already. We know that the Danite priests carried on the calf worship to the time of the captivity (<a href="/judges/18-30.htm">Judges 18:30</a>). This "house of high places" has grown in Ewald's pages into "a splendid temple in Canaanite style"], <span class="cmt_word">and made priests of the lowest of the people</span> [Heb. <span class="hebrew">מִקְצות</span> "<span class="accented">from the ends</span>," <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, from all classes, <span class="accented">ex</span> <span class="accented">universe populo</span> (Gesen.), and not, as the writer explains presently, from the tribe of Levi alone. <a href="/genesis/19-4.htm">Genesis 19:4</a>, <a href="/judges/18-20.htm">Judges 18:20</a>, <a href="/ezekiel/33-2.htm">Ezekiel 33:2</a>, prove this to be the correct interpretation of the word. Rawlinson, who remarks that "Jeroboam could have no motive for specially selecting persons of low condition," does not thereby dispose of the A.V. rendering, for the historian might mean that <span class="accented">some</span> of Jeroboam's priests were of the lowest stamp, because he could find no others, or because he was so little scrupulous as to take them. "Leaden priests are well fitted to golden deities" (Hall)], <span class="cmt_word">which were not of the sons of Levi.</span> [Jeroboam would doubtless have been only too glad to have retained the services of the Levitical priests, but they went over in a body to Rehoboam (<a href="/2_chronicles/11-13.htm">2 Chronicles 11:13</a>). The statement of ver. 14, that, "Jeroboam and his sons" had "cast them out," suggests that they had refused to take part in his new cult and that thereupon he banished them, and, no doubt, confiscated their possessions. The idea of Stanley, that "following the precedent of the deposition of Abiathar by Solomon, he removed from their places the whole of the sacerdotal order," is a wild conjecture for which Scripture affords not the slightest warrant.] <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/12-31.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">Jeroboam also built</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֖עַשׂ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘aś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shrines</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֣ית</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the high places</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּמ֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(bā·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">and appointed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּ֤עַשׂ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘aś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from every class</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקְצ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(miq·ṣō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7098.htm">Strong's 7098: </a> </span><span class="str2">A termination </span><br /><br /><span class="word">of people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֔ם</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">priests</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּֽהֲנִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(kō·hă·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were</span><br /><span class="heb">הָי֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</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">Levites.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mib·bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/12-31.htm">1 Kings 12:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/12-31.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 12:31 He made houses of high places (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/12-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 12:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 12:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/12-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 12:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 12:32" /></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>