Bamah
בָּמָה/BAY-muh/
“High place”
Summary
The Hebrew word for 'high place,' left untranslated in Ezekiel where it refers contemptuously to Israel's idolatrous worship sites.
☩Ezekiel's Usage
In Ezekiel's prophecy, the term 'Bamah' is used in a wordplay to condemn Israel's high place worship. The prophet asks contemptuously, 'What is the high place whereunto you go?' - playing on the sounds of 'ba' (come) and 'mah' (what). The name 'Bamah' was retained for prominent high places even after reforms.
Key verses:Ezekiel 20:29
Related Verses1 mention
Ezekiel· 1 verse
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Bamah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Bamah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).