According to the law of Moses, sacrifices were to be brought to the tabernacle and were not to be offered in the open field (Lev. 17:3-5). The Lord had promised to designate a special place where the sacrifices were to be brought (Deut. 12:10, 11). Before the selection of this central place, however, sacrifices were offered at various places throughout the country (Judges 6:25, 26; 13:16; 1 Sam. 7:10; 13:9; 14:35; 1 Chron. 21:26), with a seeming unconsciousness of guilt on the part of the worshipers. Two prime reasons may be given for the prohibition of sacrifices at high places:

 (1) to keep the Israelites from the places where the corrupting idolatrous worship of the land was carried on;

 (2) to prevent the springing up of unauthorized sanctuaries of the Lord, where false practices might be developed.