Baasha בַּעְשָׁא
Third king of Israel who ruled for 24 years.
Biography
Baasha was the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel, ruling for 24 years (1Ki.15.33). He came to power by assassinating Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, and then proceeded to kill off all of Jeroboam's family (1Ki.15.27-29). Despite this, Baasha continued in the sinful ways of Jeroboam (1Ki.15.34). He engaged in warfare with Asa, king of Judah, who bribed Ben-hadad of Syria to attack Israel (1Ki.15.16-22; 2Ch.16.1-6). The prophet Jehu pronounced judgment on Baasha's dynasty, predicting its downfall (1Ki.16.1-4). After Baasha's death, his son Elah became king (1Ki.16.6). Years later, Baasha's sins were remembered alongside those of other wicked kings (1Ki.21.22; 2Ki.9.9). Jer.41.9 mentions a pit made by Baasha during his war with Asa, which was later used to dispose of bodies.
Family
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 1 with study content1 Kings 5 verses
- 1 Kings 15:16
"There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days."
- 1 Kings 15:17
"Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah."
- 1 Kings 15:19
"“There is a treaty between me and you, between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent to you a present of silver and gold. Go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.”"
- 1 Kings 15:21
"When Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and lived in Tirzah."
- 1 Kings 15:22
"Then king Asa made a proclamation to all Judah. No one was exempted. They carried away the stones of Ramah, and its timber, with which Baasha had built; and king Asa used it to build Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah."
2 Kings 1 verse
- 2 Kings 9:9
"I will make Ahab’s house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah."
2 Chronicles 4 verses
- 2 Chronicles 16:1
"In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah."
- 2 Chronicles 16:3
"“Let there be a treaty between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you silver and gold. Go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.”"
- 2 Chronicles 16:5
"When Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and let his work cease."
- 2 Chronicles 16:6
"Then Asa the king took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Rama, and its timber, with which Baasha had built; and he built Geba and Mizpah with them."
Jeremiah 1 verse
- Jeremiah 41:9
"Now the pit in which Ishmael cast all the dead bodies of the men whom he had killed, by the side of Gedaliah (this was that which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel), Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with those who were killed."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בַּעְשָׁא | H1201 |
Baasha
ed the house of Jeroboam. He carried on a long warfare with Asa, the king of Judah (compare Jer 41:9), began to build Ramah, but was prevented from completing this work by Ben- hadad, the king of Syria. He is told by the prophet Jehu that because of his sinful reign the fate of his house would be like that of Jeroboam. Baasha reigned 24 years. His son Elah who succeeded him and all the members of his family were murdered by the usurper Zimri (1Ki 15:16 ff; 16:1 ff; 2Ch 16:1 ff). The fate of his house is referred to in 1Ki 21:22; 2Ki 9:9. Compare ASA; ELAH; ZIMRI.
A. L. Breslich
bab'-ler ba`al ha-lashon; the King James Version of Ec 10:11 literally, "master of the tongue"; the Revised Version (British and American) CHARMER