Bible Dictionary
Bamah
Bamah means “high place” and refers to a height used for idolatrous worship. Ezekiel uses the term with contempt for such unlawful worship sites.
Definition
Bamah means “high place.” It denotes a height or elevated site associated with idolatrous worship and may refer either to a particular place or to high-place worship generally.
Biblical Usage
Ezekiel uses Bamah with contempt when referring to Israel’s former idolatrous worship. The plural is translated “high places” in other passages.
Historical Background
The term may have been retained as the name of a prominent high place, possibly one like Gibeon, even after religious reform. A proposed wordplay connects it with “come” and “what.”
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A height, a name used simply to denote a high place where the Jews worshipped idols (Ezek. 20:29). The plural is translated “high places” in Num. 22:41 and Ezek. 36:2.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(high place). Found only in (Ezekiel 20:29) applied to places of idolatrous worship.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ba'-ma, ba'-ma (bamah, "high place"): The word appears in Eze 20:29 where reference is made to former "high-place worship," the prophet speaking with contempt of such manner of worship. Ewald suggests a play of words, ba', "come" and mah, "what," "what (mah) is the high place (ba-mah) whereunto ye come (ba')?" It is possible that reference is made to a prominent high place like the one at Gibeon (compare 1Ki 3:4; 1Ch 16:39; 21:29;#2Ch 13) for which the name "Bamah" was retained after the reform mentioned by the prophet.</p>