35. High places. bamah. This term was originally used for a hill or mountain upon which worship was conducted. Later the word was used for artificial mounds, or platforms, and finally also for chapels where the gods were worshiped. A bamah discovered at Gezer revealed a series of subterranean caves, in which were found an altar and the bones of men, women, and children, and of various animals. Solomon erected a bamah to the Moabite god Chemosh near Jerusalem (see 1 Kings 11:7). The kings of Israel built bamoth in all their cities (see 2 Kings 17:9). These shrines were common also in Judah (see 1 Kings 22:43; 2 Kings 15:35; 16:4). They were destroyed in Judah by both Hezekiah (see 2 Kings 18:4) and Josiah (see 2 Kings 23:5). In the reform under Josiah, Jeremiah played a leading role.