Probably originally altars on any slight elevation, mentioned in the Old Testament. Before the Temple was built, there was nothing contrary to the law in the "high places" provided God alone was worshipped there, and no incense or victims were offered to idols. During the period of the Judges and the Kings, the Israelites erected idolatrous altars and Solomon built a temple for the idol of the Moabites on the hill near Jerusalem (3Kings 11).
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