The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed.
Redeeming qualities gone
Beth-el means the “house of God,” and by iniquity, manifold and black, Beth-el was turned into Beth-aven, which means the “house of vanity.” This is an instance of deterioration, and more than mere deterioration; it is an instance of transformation from good to bad, from the heights of heaven to the depths of the world of fire. Such miracles can be accomplished in the individual character, and such miracles have been found possible in ecclesiastical relationship. But the case is worse. We now read of “the high places also of Aven”; the “Beth” is left out: once it was Beth-aven, the house of vanity; now nothing is left but the vanity itself. That is the process of unchecked, untaught, unsanctified nature. We say of a man, he has still one or two redeeming qualities; but the time comes when every redeeming feature is lost. Then men say of the abandoned one, Aven, vanity, all vanity and vexation of spirit. (Joseph Parker, D. D.)
Degeneration
When men degenerate from the pure teaching of God, they in vain cover their profanations with empty names. God loudly proclaims respecting Beth-el that it is Beth-aven, and the reason is well known; it is because Jeroboam erected temples and appointed new sacrifices without God’s command. The Lord approves of nothing but what He Himself commands. Hence the high places of Aven shall perish. (John Calvin.)