The people revolted from time to time, but the high priest was in cahoots with Herod. If I have read this correctly, Herod made sacrifices in the temple. In this one instance that I've read, he did it correctly.
But, I'm getting the picture that every instance it was not so. It should have been abhorrent to the high priest and the Levite priests that a pagan sacrificed at all.
So, yes in this way, it was devil worship, goats, by appeasing Herod.
Did I read this correctly? Herod sat down in the temple? In the throne of David?
The reading of this is difficult for me and I have to read over and over to make sure I'm comprehending. Tiring to me.