3. To the rivers. The rivers and valleys are singled out, possibly because these, too, were scenes of abominable idolatry such as the sacrificing of children to Molech in the Valley of Hinnom (see Isa. 57:5; Jer. 7:31).
High places. bamoth. These were open-air sanctuaries at which the people offered sacrifices to Jehovah (see on 1 Kings 3:2). However, because the Canaanites had used the bamoth as centers of gross idolatry, worship at these places tended to degrade the religion of Jehovah. After the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem the city became the one legitimate center for the worship of Jehovah. As idolatry spread, these high places became the centers for the most degrading heathen rites. Pious kings like Hezekiah and Josiah sought to put them down (2 Chron. 31:1; 2 Chron. 34:3, 4), but idolatrous successors restored them.