Baasha בַּעְשָׁא
Third king of Israel who ruled for 24 years.
Who is Baasha in the Bible?
Baasha was the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel, ruling for 24 years (1 Kings 15:33). He seized power by assassinating Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, and systematically eliminated Jeroboam's entire family (1 Kings 15:27-29), yet he perpetuated the same idolatrous practices that had characterized Jeroboam's reign (1 Kings 15:34). During his rule, Baasha engaged in prolonged conflict with Asa, the king of Judah, even beginning construction of the fortress city of Ramah until the Syrian king Ben-hadad intervened on Judah's behalf (1 Kings 15:16-22; 2 Chronicles 16:1-6). The prophet Jehu delivered God's judgment against Baasha, declaring that his dynasty would be destroyed just as Jeroboam's had been (1 Kings 16:1-4). Baasha's legacy illustrates the cycle of sinful kingship in Israel and how political power gained through violence and maintained through idolatry ultimately invites divine judgment.
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
"Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days."
- 1 Kings 15:17
"Baasha king of Israel went to war against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah."
- 1 Kings 15:19
"“Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”"
- 1 Kings 15:21
"When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah."
- 1 Kings 15:22
"Then King Asa summoned all the men of Judah, with no exceptions, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials King Asa built up Geba of Benjamin, as well as Mizpah."
2 Kings 1 verse
- 2 Kings 9:9
"I will make the house of Ahab like the houses of Jeroboam son of Nebat and Baasha 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 fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of 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. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”"
- 2 Chronicles 16:5
"When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work."
- 2 Chronicles 16:6
"Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials he built up Geba and Mizpah."
Jeremiah 1 verse
- Jeremiah 41:9
"Now the cistern into which Ishmael had thrown all the bodies of the men he had struck down along with Gedaliah was a large one that King Asa had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it with the slain."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בַּעְשָׁא |
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