Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

1 KINGS 11:7KJV
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1 Kings 11:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 11:7 mean?

1 Kings 11:7 describes how King Solomon built a high place, or shrine, for Chemosh, the god worshiped by the people of Moab, and for Molech, the god of the Ammonites, on a hill near Jerusalem. The verse highlights that these gods were considered abominations by the Israelites.

In this verse, the writer is recounting Solomon’s actions late in his reign. Solomon, known for building the temple for the God of Israel, is now building places of worship for foreign gods because of his marriages to women from other nations. This act is presented as a serious departure from Israel’s worship of their own God and sets the stage for later troubles in his kingdom.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 11:7

  • The word for “high place” is בָּמָה (bamah), which refers to an elevated site used for religious rituals. These were often associated with worship outside of the main temple and, in this context, with forbidden practices.
  • כְּמוֹשׁ (Chemosh) and מֹלֶךְ (Molech) are the names of foreign gods. Their mention here underlines how Solomon’s actions directly introduced rival worship into Israel, which the text labels as “abomination” (שִׁקּוּץ, shiqquts), a word often used for things considered detestable or offensive in Israelite religion.
  • The phrase “before Jerusalem” uses the word לִפְנֵי (lifnei), meaning “in front of” or “facing.” This detail shows how close these shrines were to the center of Israelite worship, making the act even more striking.

Why 1 Kings 11:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Solomon himself was responsible for building these shrines, not just permitting them, which marks a significant shift in his leadership and faithfulness.
  • The mention of Chemosh and Molech by name connects Solomon’s actions to specific neighboring peoples (Moabites and Ammonites), showing how foreign influence had entered Israel at the highest level.
  • The location “in the hill that is before Jerusalem” emphasizes the boldness of Solomon’s actions, as these shrines were set up within sight of the temple, highlighting the seriousness of his departure from exclusive worship of Israel’s God.

Where else these words appear

“Chemosh” Hebrew H3645 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 21:29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
  • 1 Kings 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
  • Jeremiah 48:7 For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.

“Molech” Hebrew H4432 · used in 8 verses

  • Leviticus 18:21 And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
  • Leviticus 20:3 And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
  • Leviticus 20:5 Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.

“abomination” Hebrew H8251 · used in 26 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
  • Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?
  • Ezekiel 20:8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

“place” Hebrew H1116 · used in 92 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • 2 Kings 16:4 And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:3 For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.