1 Kings 16 23

1 Kings 16:23 kjv

In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.

1 Kings 16:23 nkjv

In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king over Israel, and reigned twelve years. Six years he reigned in Tirzah.

1 Kings 16:23 niv

In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned twelve years, six of them in Tirzah.

1 Kings 16:23 esv

In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for twelve years; six years he reigned in Tirzah.

1 Kings 16:23 nlt

Omri began to rule over Israel in the thirty-first year of King Asa's reign in Judah. He reigned twelve years in all, six of them in Tirzah.

1 Kings 16 verses

1 Kings 16 23 Meaning

1 Kings 16:23 states that Omri commenced his reign as king over the northern kingdom of Israel in the thirty-first year of Asa's kingship over the southern kingdom of Judah. It specifies that his entire reign spanned twelve years, with the initial six years being spent ruling from Tirzah, the then-capital city.

1 Kings 16 23 Context

Chapter 16 of 1 Kings vividly illustrates the rapid decline and extreme instability of the northern kingdom of Israel following the divided monarchy. The preceding verses (1 Ki 16:1-20) detail a rapid succession of kings, often through violence and coup. Following Baasha's dynasty, Elah is assassinated by Zimri (1 Ki 16:9-10), who reigns for only seven days before Omri, an army commander, rebels against him. Zimri commits suicide (1 Ki 16:18-19), but Israel remains divided, with half the people following Tibni, leading to civil war. This verse, 1 Kings 16:23, marks the resolution of this internal conflict, signaling the victorious establishment of Omri as king, setting the stage for a new and significant dynasty. Chronologically, this period contrasts sharply with the relatively stable, though not flawless, reign of King Asa in Judah. Asa's reign (1 Ki 15:9-24; 2 Chr 14-16) generally saw him do "what was right in the eyes of the Lord," though he faced later challenges and showed lack of trust in God towards the end of his life. The meticulous dating of Omri's accession to Asa's reign underscores the synchronous chronology of the divided kingdoms.

1 Kings 16 23 Word analysis

• In the thirty-first year: The Hebrew phrase בִּשְׁנַת שְׁלֹשִׁים וְאֶחָת (bi-shnat sh'loshim v'ekhat) is a precise chronological marker. This attention to dating highlights the meticulous record-keeping common in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms and affirms the historical nature of the biblical account, tying events in Israel to the established Judahite calendar. It also allows for synchronization with broader ancient Near Eastern chronologies where biblical figures like Omri are mentioned.
• of Asa king of Judah: Referring to אָסָא (Asa), a relatively righteous king of the Southern Kingdom who initiated religious reforms (2 Chr 14:2-5). This precise synchronism connects the Northern Kingdom's tumultuous history to the more stable reign of Judah, anchoring the narrative firmly in biblical chronology.
• Omri: Hebrew עָמְרִי (Omri). A name of uncertain etymology, possibly meaning "my sheaf." He was an influential and powerful figure, noted in extra-biblical sources (Mesha Stele, Assyrian annals) as the founder of a significant dynasty in Israel ("House of Omri"), underscoring his geopolitical importance beyond biblical narratives. The biblical account primarily focuses on his spiritual failures.
• became king over Israel: וַיִּמְלֹךְ (vayyimlokh - "and he reigned"). This emphasizes the culmination of the struggle for power against Tibni, solidifying his authority over the Northern Kingdom of יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrael), distinct from Judah. This kingship was gained by military might, not divine appointment, reflecting the continuing cycle of unstable leadership in Israel.
• and reigned twelve years: This denotes the full duration of Omri's active reign, encompassing both his time in Tirzah and subsequently in Samaria. This is a considerable length given the preceding short reigns and rapid succession.
• six years he reigned in Tirzah: תִּרְצָה (Tirtzah), which means "pleasing" or "delight," was the capital of the Northern Kingdom from Jeroboam's successor, Nadab (1 Ki 14:17), through Baasha (1 Ki 15:21, 33), Elah, and Zimri. Its beauty is mentioned in Song of Solomon 6:4. Omri's initial six years here suggest the continuation of a established power base before his strategic move to Samaria, signaling a new chapter for Israel's administration. This specific detail provides insight into the transition period of his rule and the shift of the kingdom's center.

1 Kings 16 23 Bonus section

Omri's significance extends far beyond the limited verses dedicated to him in the Bible. His strategic genius, both militarily and politically, is evident in his establishment of a powerful, long-lasting dynasty that ruled Israel for several decades. This is attested in ancient Near Eastern inscriptions:

• Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone): This 9th-century BC inscription from King Mesha of Moab records his successful rebellion against Israel, mentioning Omri as the oppressor of Moab. This stone provides extra-biblical corroboration for Omri's reign and military prowess.
• Assyrian Inscriptions: The Assyrians frequently referred to the Kingdom of Israel as "Bit Omri" or "House of Omri" for centuries after his reign, even when later dynasties ruled. This testifies to the profound and lasting impact of Omri's legacy and the stability he brought compared to the previous fleeting reigns. His administrative capabilities laid the groundwork for his son Ahab's influential rule, which became heavily entangled with the prophet Elijah's ministry.The brevity of the biblical account of Omri's non-spiritual achievements underscores the divine narrator's primary concern: the spiritual obedience or rebellion of Israel's kings rather than their political or military success. Despite Omri's power, his "doing worse than all who were before him" is the enduring divine judgment on his reign.

1 Kings 16 23 Commentary

1 Kings 16:23 marks a crucial pivot point in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. After a tumultuous period characterized by political instability, assassinations, and rapid changes of monarchs—many reigning for mere months or days—Omri emerges as a formidable leader who manages to consolidate power. This verse firmly establishes his reign and tenure, highlighting the parallel chronology with King Asa in Judah. While the Bible, particularly the subsequent verses (1 Ki 16:25-26), severely condemns Omri's reign due to his significant promotion of idolatry and "doing worse than all who were before him" (likely referring to the systematization and enforcement of Baal worship which peaked under his son Ahab), secular history and archaeology recognize him as a powerful and astute ruler who brought relative stability and geopolitical influence to Israel. The mention of his six years in Tirzah prior to his move to Samaria (verse 24) reveals a gradual consolidation of power and a strategic shift in the kingdom's administrative center. This verse thus serves as the historical baseline for understanding one of Israel's most influential, albeit wicked, dynasties, whose actions had lasting religious and political consequences for generations.