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1 Kings 14:23

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1 Kings 14:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

King James Version KJV

For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.

American Standard Version ASV

For they also built them high places, and pillars, and Asherim, on every high hill, and under every green tree;

Bible in Basic English BBE

For they made high places and upright stones and wood pillars on every high hill and under every green tree;

Free Bible Version FBV

They also set up for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For they also made them hie places, and images, and groues on euery hie hill, and vnder euery greene tree.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And they build — also they — for themselves high places, and standing-pillars, and shrines, on every high height, and under every green tree;

World English Bible WEB

For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For they also built for themselves high places, and images and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

For they also built them altars, and statues, and groves upon every high hill and under every green tree:

Translation for Translators T4T

They built places to worship those gods; on high hills, and under big trees they set up stone pillars to worship the goddess Asherah.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 14:23

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Kings 14:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יִּבְנ֨וּ גַם הֵ֧מָּה לָ/הֶ֛ם בָּמ֥וֹת וּ/מַצֵּב֖וֹת וַ/אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים עַ֚ל כָּל גִּבְעָ֣ה גְבֹהָ֔ה וְ/תַ֖חַת כָּל עֵ֥ץ רַעֲנָֽן
וַ/יִּבְנ֨וּ bânâh H1129 to build Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
גַם gam H1571 also Adv
הֵ֧מָּה hêm H1992 they(masc.) Pron
לָ/הֶ֛ם Prep | Suff
בָּמ֥וֹת bâmâh H1116 high place N-fp
וּ/מַצֵּב֖וֹת matstsêbâh H4676 pillar Conj | N-fp
וַ/אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים ʼăshêrâh H842 Asherah Conj | N-proper
עַ֚ל ʻal H5921 upon Prep
כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms
גִּבְעָ֣ה gibʻâh H1389 Gibeat N-fs
גְבֹהָ֔ה gâbôahh H1364 high Adj
וְ/תַ֖חַת tachath H8478 underneath Conj | Prep
כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms
עֵ֥ץ ʻêts H6086 tree N-ms
רַעֲנָֽן raʻănân H7488 be fresh Adj
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 14:23

וַ/יִּבְנ֨וּ bânâh H1129 "to build" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
גַם gam H1571 "also" Adv
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
הֵ֧מָּה hêm H1992 "they(masc.)" Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
לָ/הֶ֛ם "" Prep | Suff
בָּמ֥וֹת bâmâh H1116 "high place" N-fp
A high place or elevation, often referring to a cultic platform or mountain. In the Bible, it can also refer to battlefields or funeral mounds, as seen in various passages.
Definition: 1) high place, ridge, height, bamah (technical name for cultic platform) 1a) high place, mountain 1b) high places, battlefields 1c) high places (as places of worship) 1d) funeral mound?
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: height, high place, wave. See also: Leviticus 26:30; 1 Chronicles 16:39; Psalms 18:34.
וּ/מַצֵּב֖וֹת matstsêbâh H4676 "pillar" Conj | N-fp
A pillar or monument, sometimes used as a memorial or with an altar, like those found in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: 1) pillar, mastaba, stump 1a) pillar 1a1) as monument, personal memorial 1a2) with an altar 1b)(Hoph) stock, stump (of tree)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: garrison, (standing) image, pillar. See also: Genesis 28:18; 1 Kings 14:23; Isaiah 19:19.
וַ/אֲשֵׁרִ֑ים ʼăshêrâh H842 "Asherah" Conj | N-proper
Asherah was a goddess worshipped by the Canaanites and Phoenicians, often represented by a tree or pole near an altar. The Bible warns against worshipping her, as in Deuteronomy and Judges. She was considered a consort of Baal.
Definition: § Ashera(h) = "groves (for idol worship)" a Babylonian (Astarte)-Canaanite goddess (of fortune and happiness), the supposed consort of Baal, her images her images sacred trees or poles set up near an altar
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: grove. Compare H6253 (עַשְׁתֹּרֶת). See also: Exodus 34:13; 2 Kings 23:4; Isaiah 17:8.
עַ֚ל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
גִּבְעָ֣ה gibʻâh H1389 "Gibeat" N-fs
Gibeat refers to a small hill, with the name meaning hill, and is another spelling of Gibeah. It appears in various KJV translations as hill or little hill.
Definition: This name means hill Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: hill, little hill. See also: Genesis 49:26; Isaiah 30:17; Psalms 65:13.
גְבֹהָ֔ה gâbôahh H1364 "high" Adj
High means elevated or powerful, like a tall mountain or a proud person, as described in Proverbs where pride comes before a fall.
Definition: adj 1) high, exalted 1a) high, tall 1b) high (in position) 1c) proud, haughty n m 2) loftiness Also means: ga.vah (גָּבֹהַּ "high" H1362)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: haughty, height, high(-er), lofty, proud, [idiom] exceeding proudly. See also: Genesis 7:19; Isaiah 5:15; Psalms 104:18.
וְ/תַ֖חַת tachath H8478 "underneath" Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עֵ֥ץ ʻêts H6086 "tree" N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
רַעֲנָֽן raʻănân H7488 "be fresh" Adj
This word describes something as luxuriant or fresh, like a new and growing plant. It is used to describe a prosperous or thriving condition.
Definition: v (Palel) to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: green, flourishing. See also: Deuteronomy 12:2; Song of Solomon 1:16; Psalms 37:35.

Study Notes — 1 Kings 14:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Deuteronomy 12:2 Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.
2 Isaiah 57:5 who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
3 2 Kings 17:9–10 The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
4 Ezekiel 16:24–25 you built yourself a mound and made yourself a lofty shrine in every public square. At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by.
5 Jeremiah 3:13 Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD.
6 2 Kings 21:3–7 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. Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My Name.” In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. Manasseh even took the carved Asherah pole he had made and set it up in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.
7 1 Kings 14:15 For the LORD will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water. He will uproot Israel from this good land that He gave their fathers, and He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherah poles, provoking the LORD to anger.
8 Deuteronomy 16:22 and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates.
9 Ezekiel 20:28–29 When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings. So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah. )
10 1 Kings 3:2 The people, however, were still sacrificing on the high places because a house for the Name of the LORD had not yet been built.

1 Kings 14:23 Summary

In 1 Kings 14:23, we see the Israelites building high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles, which were symbols of their idolatry and disobedience to God. This was a clear rejection of God's commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:2-3, and it led to further sin and corruption. We can learn from their example by being careful not to compromise our faith or blend it with the values of the world, as warned against in Romans 12:2. By seeking to please God and following His commands, as encouraged in John 14:15, we can avoid the pitfalls of idolatry and stay faithful to Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles in 1 Kings 14:23?

These were objects of idolatrous worship, often associated with the worship of false gods, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:2-3 and 2 Kings 13:6. The Israelites were commanded to destroy these, but instead, they built them for themselves.

Why did the Israelites build these idolatrous structures on every high hill and under every green tree?

This was likely due to the influence of the surrounding nations and their desire to blend their worship of the one true God with the worship of false gods, as warned against in Exodus 34:12-17 and Deuteronomy 12:1-3.

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of 1 Kings?

This verse highlights the idolatry and sin of the Israelites, which is a recurring theme throughout 1 Kings, as seen in 1 Kings 11:1-8 and 1 Kings 15:13.

What can we learn from the Israelites' actions in this verse?

We can learn the importance of remaining faithful to God and avoiding the influence of the world, as emphasized in Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways in which I may be compromising my faith by blending it with the values of the world?
  2. How can I ensure that my worship is pure and untainted by idolatry, as warned against in 1 John 5:21?
  3. In what ways can I be more intentional about seeking God and avoiding the influences that lead to sin, as encouraged in Psalm 119:37 and Matthew 5:29-30?
  4. What are some 'high places' or areas of my life where I may be tempted to compromise my faith, and how can I surrender them to God?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 14:23

For they also built them high places,.... Which, though allowed of, or at least connived at, before the temple was built, and when the tabernacle was unfixed, yet afterwards unlawful; and the tribe

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 14:23

For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 14:23

They also built them high places; they followed the example of the Israelites, although they were better instructed, and had the temple in their kingdom, and liberty of access to it, which was denied to the Israelites; and the privilege of worshipping God in his own way, and the counsels, and sermons, and examples of the priests and Levites to and stablish them, and the dreadful example of Israel’ s horrid apostacy to caution and terrify them. The building of high places was unlawful, and now especially when the temple was built, and ready to receive them; unnecessary, and therefore expressed a greater contempt of God and his express command to the contrary. Images and groves; not only after the manner of the heathens and Israelites, but against a direct and particular prohibition. Under every green tree: the people were universally corrupted; which is a prodigious sin, all things considered, and is a clear evidence of the greatness and depth of the original corruption of man’ s nature, which without God’ s grace is ready to break forth into all sorts of wickedness.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 14:23

1 Kings 14:23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.Ver. 23. For they also built them high places.] They fell to foul idolatry and sodomy, which are called evil by a specialty, like as war is called evil, that is, misery, antonomastice

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 14:23

(23) High places, and images, and groves.—On the “high places,” see 1 Kings 3:2, and Note there. The “images” of this passage seem undoubtedly to have been stone pillars, as the “groves” (i.e., the asherahs) were wooden stumps of trees (possibly in both cases surmounted by some rude representation of the deity worshipped). The first mention of such a pillar is in Genesis 28:18; Genesis 31:13; Genesis 35:14, there applied to the stone which Jacob raises and anoints, in order to mark the scene of the vision at Bethel; next, we find repeated commands to destroy them (with the asherahs also) as erected by the Canaanites (Exodus 23:24; Exodus 34:13; Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:3), and to suffer neither near the altar of the Lord (Deuteronomy 16:21). Like the high places, it seems plain that both might be either unauthorised emblems of God’s presence or images of false gods; and, indeed, the stone pillar appears in some cases to be associated with the worship of Baal, as the Asherah with that of Ashtoreth. In this passage, from the strength of the language used, and from the notice in 1 Kings 14:24, it seems that the grosser idolatry is referred to. It was practised “on every high hill, and every shady tree”—such trees as were notable for size and shade in the bareness of the hills of Palestine.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 14:23

23. high places] We read constantly of ‘houses’ of the high places, and it is to these erections on some lofty hills that the ‘building’ here spoken of applies. See above, 1 Kings 12:31. images] The R.V. renders by pillars, with ‘obelisks’ in the margin. And this appears more correct than A. V. There is nothing in the word itself to denote an image. The root signifies ‘to set up,’ and this noun is applied to the stones which Jacob set up (Genesis 28:18; Genesis 31:45; Genesis 35:14), and which Joshua set up (Joshua 4:9) when the people had passed over Jordan. Probably therefore the erections made in Judah were only large stones. The name is given also to the ‘obelisks’ which stood at the entrance of the Temple of the Sun in Heliopolis (Jeremiah 43:13). and groves] R.V. Ashêrim. See above on 1 Kings 14:15.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 14:23

The words “they also” are emphatic. Not only did the Israelites make themselves high places 1 Kings 12:31; 1 Kings 13:32, but the people of Judah also.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 14:23

23. High places — Altars on hilltops. See note on 1 Kings 3:2. Images — Monumental pillars or statues erected to the honor of false gods. Groves — Rather, wooden idols, erected to the honour of Ashtoreth.

Sermons on 1 Kings 14:23

SermonDescription
T. Austin-Sparks Christian Service From God's Standpoint by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes that Christian service from God's perspective is about contributing to the fullness of Christ, rather than merely performing specific roles or functions
Zac Poonen (Basics) 65. Lying by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the preacher discusses the widespread sin of lying and its destructive impact on relationships. He refers to John 8:44, where Jesus tells the Jews who believed in H
Bill McLeod Personal Revival by Bill McLeod In this sermon, the speaker shares personal stories and experiences to illustrate the importance of acknowledging one's sins and seeking God's forgiveness. He recounts a childhood
William McCrea Why Revival Tarries by William McCrea In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of attending prayer meetings and participating in gospel campaigns. He highlights the significance of prayer in serving God a
Zac Poonen A Word to Shepherds and Sisters by Zac Poonen This sermon emphasizes the importance of being shepherds and sisters after God's own heart, focusing on acknowledging iniquity, seeking to serve selflessly, and living with a heart
Zac Poonen Four Types of Backsliders by Zac Poonen Zac Poonen discusses the four types of backsliders as illustrated in Luke 15: the lost sheep, lost coin, lost younger son, and lost elder son. He emphasizes that backsliding often
Oswald J. Smith Obstacles by Oswald J. Smith Oswald J. Smith emphasizes that sin is the sole obstacle that can hinder God's power and block the channel of His Spirit, preventing revival. He cites scripture to illustrate how i
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