1 Kings 15:17
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from entering or leaving King Asa’s territory in Judah.

English Standard Version
Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

New American Standard Bible
Baasha king of Israel marched against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.

NASB 1995
Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.

NASB 1977
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built up Ramah in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.

Amplified Bible
Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah [north of Jerusalem], in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.

Christian Standard Bible
Israel’s King Baasha went to war against Judah. He built Ramah in order to keep anyone from leaving or coming to King Asa of Judah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Israel’s King Baasha went to war against Judah. He built Ramah in order to deny anyone access to Judah’s King Asa.

American Standard Version
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

Contemporary English Version
One time, Baasha invaded Judah and captured the town of Ramah. He started making the town stronger, so he could put troops there to stop people from going in and out of Judah.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah to keep anyone from going to or coming from King Asa of Judah.

Good News Translation
Baasha invaded Judah and started to fortify Ramah in order to cut off all traffic in and out of Judah.

International Standard Version
King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and interdicted Ramah by building fortifications around it so no one could enter or leave to join King Asa of Judah.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
King Baasha of Israel attacked Judah and established Ramah as a military outpost to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the land of King Asa of Judah.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Baasha king of Israel goes up against Judah, and builds Ramah, not to permit anyone going out and coming in to Asa king of Judah.

Young's Literal Translation
and Baasha king of Israel goeth up against Judah, and buildeth Ramah, not to permit any one going out and coming in to Asa king of Judah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Baasha, king of Israel, will come up against Judah, and he will build Ramah, so that he will not give to go out or to come in to Asa king of Judah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Baasa king of Israel went up against Juda, and built Rama, that no man might go out or come in, of the side of Asa king of Juda.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Baasha, the king of Israel, ascended against Judah. And he built up Ramah, so that no one would be able to exit or enter from the side of Asa, the king of Judah.

New American Bible
Baasha, king of Israel, attacked Judah and fortified Ramah to blockade Asa, king of Judah.

New Revised Standard Version
King Baasha of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to King Asa of Judah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramtha, and did not permit any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Then Baasha King of Israel went up against Yehuda, and he built Ramtha, and did not allow any to go out or come into Asa, King of Yehuda.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Baasa 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Baasa king of Israel went up against Juda, and built Rama, so that no one should go out or come in for Asa king of Juda.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
War Between Asa and Baasha
16Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days. 17Baasha 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. 18So Asa withdrew all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace. He entrusted it to his servants and sent them with this message to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus:…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 16:1-6
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. / So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus: / “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.” ...

1 Kings 16:8-9
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years. / However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him.

2 Kings 15:16
At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in its vicinity, because they would not open their gates. So he attacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women.

2 Samuel 8:6
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

1 Kings 12:25-27
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And from there he went out and built Penuel. / Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom might revert to the house of David. / If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.”

2 Chronicles 11:5-12
Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah. / He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, / Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, ...

1 Kings 14:30
There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their days.

2 Chronicles 13:2
and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel; she was from Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

1 Kings 15:32
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.

2 Chronicles 14:1
Then Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Asa reigned in his place, and in his days the land was at peace for ten years.

1 Kings 15:6
And there was war between the houses of Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of Abijam’s life.

2 Chronicles 15:19
And there was no war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

1 Kings 15:20-21
And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and the whole land of Naphtali, including the region of Chinnereth. / When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.

2 Chronicles 16:7-9
At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. / Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. / For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”

Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

A.

1 Kings 15:27
And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.

2 Chronicles 16:1
In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

1 Kings 15:21
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

Joshua 18:25
Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,

1 Samuel 15:34
Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

he might not suffer

1 Kings 12:27
If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.

2 Chronicles 11:13-17
And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts…

Jump to Previous
Able Allow Asa Baasa Baasha Ba'asha Buildeth Building Built Entering Fortified Israel Judah Leaving Order Permit Prevent Ramah Suffer Territory
Jump to Next
Able Allow Asa Baasa Baasha Ba'asha Buildeth Building Built Entering Fortified Israel Judah Leaving Order Permit Prevent Ramah Suffer Territory
1 Kings 15
1. Abijam's wicked reign
7. Asa succeeds him
9. Asa's good reign
16. The war between Baasha and him causes him to make a league with Ben-Hadad
23. Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa
25. Nadab's wicked reign
27. Baasha conspiring against him, executes Ahijah's prophecy
31. Nadab's acts and death
33. Baasha's wicked reign














And Baasha king of Israel
Baasha, the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigned during a tumultuous period marked by political instability and idolatry. His name, derived from the Hebrew root "בָּעַשׁ" (ba'ash), means "he who lays waste," which is fitting given his aggressive actions against Judah. Historically, Baasha's reign is characterized by his efforts to consolidate power and expand his influence, often through military means. His opposition to Judah reflects the ongoing conflict between the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, a division that began after the reign of Solomon due to spiritual and political reasons.

went up against Judah
The phrase "went up" is significant, as it indicates a military campaign. In the ancient Near Eastern context, "going up" often referred to ascending in elevation, as Jerusalem and its surrounding areas were situated on higher ground. This phrase underscores the aggressive nature of Baasha's actions, as he sought to challenge the sovereignty of Judah under King Asa. The historical context reveals a period of frequent skirmishes and power struggles between the two kingdoms, each vying for dominance and control over strategic locations.

and fortified Ramah
Ramah, a town located in the territory of Benjamin, held strategic importance due to its proximity to Jerusalem and its position on key trade routes. The Hebrew root "רָמָה" (ramah) means "height" or "elevation," indicating its advantageous position. By fortifying Ramah, Baasha aimed to establish a military stronghold that would enable him to exert control over the movement of people and goods, effectively isolating Judah. Archaeological evidence suggests that fortifications in such locations were common as a means of asserting dominance and securing territorial claims.

to prevent anyone from leaving or entering
This phrase highlights Baasha's strategic intent to impose an economic and military blockade on Judah. By controlling access to and from Judah, Baasha sought to weaken Asa's kingdom, cutting off trade and communication. The historical context of this action reflects the broader geopolitical strategies of ancient Near Eastern kings, who often used blockades and sieges to subdue rival states. This tactic underscores the ongoing struggle for power and influence in the region, as well as the lengths to which leaders would go to secure their reign.

the territory of Asa king of Judah
Asa, the third king of Judah, is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh. His reign is marked by a commitment to spiritual renewal and political stability, contrasting with the idolatry and instability of the northern kingdom. The Hebrew root "אָסָא" (asa) means "healer" or "physician," reflecting Asa's role in healing the spiritual and political wounds of Judah. The conflict with Baasha illustrates the challenges Asa faced in maintaining the integrity and independence of his kingdom amidst external threats. Scripturally, Asa's reliance on God during these conflicts serves as an inspirational example of faith and leadership in the face of adversity.

(17) Built Ramah.--Ramah, or properly, the Ramah--the word signifying only "elevation"--is mentioned in Joshua 18:25 as a city of Benjamin, situated (see Jos. Ant. viii. 12, 3) about five miles north of Jerusalem. It is mentioned in Judges 4:5; Judges 19:13; Isaiah 10:29; Jeremiah 40:1, and is identified with the village known as Er-Ram at the present day.

This fortification of Ramah close to the hostile capital--like the fortification of Decelea, near Athens, in the Peloponnesian war--was a standing menace to Judah. Baasha, who was a military chief, seems to have been warned by the ill-success of former attempts to invade and subjugate Judah, and to have used this easier means of keeping the enemy in check, and provoking a conflict--if a conflict there was to be--on his own ground. The text, however, implies a further design to blockade the road between the kingdoms, perhaps explained by the statement, in 2Chronicles 15:9-10, of the falling away of many from Israel to Asa, now in the height of his prosperity. The new fortress was, no doubt, supported by all the military force of Israel, which Asa, in spite of his increased strength, dared not attack. . . .

Verse 17. - And Baasha, king of Israel, went up against Judah [This statement probably refers to the reconquest of the three cities which Abijah had taken from Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:19), as Ramah could hardly have been rebuilt whilst Bethel remained in the hands of Judah], and built Ramah [Heb. the Ramah, i.e., "the elevation," or "high place." Now er Ram ( = the height), in Benjamin (Joshua 18:25; Judges 19:18, 14), five miles distant from Jerusalem, near the frontier of the two territories, and also then, as now, on the great north road. It was the key, consequently, to both kingdoms. Hence the struggles to possess it, vers, 21, 22; 2 Chronicles 16:1, etc.], that he might not suffer any to go out [Heb. not to give any going out, etc.] or come in to Asa, king of Judah. [The object of Baasha in fortifying this place is evident. It was not merely to have an advanced post as a menace to Jerusalem (Rawlinson), but primarily, by its command of the high road, to prevent his subjects from falling away to the kingdom of Judah, or even from going up to Jerusalem to worship; in fact, to isolate Judah and to blockade its capital. That there was a great defection to Ass at this time we know from 2 Chronicles 15:9. This was an exodus which Baasha felt must be checked. Blunt ("Coincidences," pp. 176-8) has happily shown from 2 Chronicles 16:6, etc., how the primary object must have been to "stop the alarming drainage of all that was virtuous out of their borders." Rawlinson sees in the fortification of this place "the first step towards a conquest of the southern kingdom." But as to this the text is silent, or rather it assigns an entirely different reason.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Baasha
בַּעְשָׁ֤א (ba‘·šā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1201: Baasha -- a king of Israel

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

went to war
וַיַּ֨עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Judah
יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and fortified
וַיִּ֖בֶן (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

Ramah
הָרָמָ֑ה (hā·rā·māh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7414: Ramah -- 'height', the name of several places in Israel

to prevent
לְבִלְתִּ֗י (lə·ḇil·tî)
Preposition-l
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until

[anyone] from leaving
יֹצֵ֣א (yō·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

or entering the territory of
וָבָ֔א (wā·ḇā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

Asa
לְאָסָ֖א (lə·’ā·sā)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 609: Asa -- perhaps 'healer', an Israelite name

king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Judah.
יְהוּדָֽה׃ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites


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OT History: 1 Kings 15:17 Baasha king of Israel went up against (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 15:16
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