1 Kings 15:17

War between Asa and Baasha · 1 Kings 15:16–22
Read 1 Kings 15

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
Literal
And Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and he built up Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
Latin
Ascendit quoque Baasa rex Israël in Judam, et ædificavit Rama, ut non posset quispiam egredi vel ingredi de parte Asa regis Juda.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Baasha moved south and recaptured towns that Abijam had lost (2 Chronicles 13:19), including Ramah in Judah, about four miles north of Jerusalem. This action closed the border, stopping Israelites from joining Judah and keeping Asa within his territory. Ramah controlled key north-south and east-west routes in Canaan (Judges 4:5; Isaiah 10:29; Jeremiah 31:15; 40:1).

Theme notes and profiles

Asa

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 16:1–6

People

Asa: King of Judah, son of Abijah; father of Jehoshaphat Baasha: Third king of Israel who ruled for 24 years Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Ramah: A town in Benjamin, near Gibeah and Jerusalem

Glossary

Abel (Place) Baasha Kings, Books of First and Second Ramah Temple Tribe of Naphtali

Topics

Asa: King of Judah Baasha: King of Israel Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Asa Prophecies Concerning Israel: Asa Makes a Treaty with Ben-Hadad, King of Syria, to Make War Against Israel Prophecies Concerning Israel: Asa's Good Reign Ramah: Called Rama: Attempted Fortification of, by King Baasha; Destruction of, by Asa