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

1 KINGS 14:23KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 14:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 14:23 mean?

1 Kings 14:23 describes how the people of Israel built places of worship on high hills, set up images, and planted groves (sacred trees or poles) under every green tree, turning away from worshiping God as He had commanded. This verse points to widespread idol worship and religious practices borrowed from surrounding nations.

In this part of 1 Kings, the writer is describing the actions of the Israelites during the reign of King Jeroboam. The verse highlights how the people set up unauthorized worship sites ("high places") and used physical objects and natural locations for worship, which was against the instructions given to them in the law of Moses. The passage is part of a larger section showing how Israel drifted into practices that God had warned them against.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 14:23

  • "high places" (בָּמָה, bamah): This word refers to elevated sites used for worship, often associated with pagan rituals. These were not the central place of worship God had chosen, but local shrines scattered throughout the land.
  • "images" (מַצֵּבָה, matzevah): This term means standing stones or pillars, often set up as objects of worship or memorials. Here, it points to physical idols or symbols used in forbidden religious practices.
  • "groves" (אֲשֵׁרָה, asherah): This word refers to wooden poles or living trees dedicated to the goddess Asherah, a common object in Canaanite religion. The presence of these groves shows the influence of neighboring pagan religions.
  • "green tree" (עֵץ רַעֲנָן, etz ra'anan): This phrase means a flourishing or leafy tree, often chosen for its shade and beauty, and commonly used as a site for idol worship in ancient times.

Why 1 Kings 14:23 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s idolatry was not just occasional or hidden but widespread and visible throughout the land, on every high hill and under every green tree.
  • The mention of "high places," "images," and "groves" shows that Israel was adopting the religious customs of the nations around them, which was a direct violation of their covenant with God.
  • Understanding these specific practices helps explain why later prophets and kings worked so hard to remove these objects and sites, seeing them as a major cause of Israel’s troubles.

Where else these words appear

“green” Hebrew H7488 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:
  • Psalms 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
  • Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

“images” Hebrew H4676 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 2 Kings 23:14 And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

“high” Hebrew H1364 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Psalms 104:18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
  • Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

“groves” Hebrew H842 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 2 Kings 13:6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)
  • 2 Chronicles 17:6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.