2 Chronicles 16 1

2 Chronicles 16:1 kjv

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.

2 Chronicles 16:1 nkjv

In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, 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.

2 Chronicles 16:1 niv

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 16:1 esv

In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, 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.

2 Chronicles 16:1 nlt

In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from entering or leaving King Asa's territory in Judah.

2 Chronicles 16 verses

2 Chronicles 16 1 Meaning

In the thirty-sixth year of King Asa's reign, Baasha, the king of Israel, launched a military campaign against the kingdom of Judah. His specific objective was to fortify Ramah, a strategic location on the border between the two kingdoms, in order to blockade movement, effectively cutting off travel and commerce between Judah and Israel, specifically targeting Asa's capital, Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 16 1 Context

This verse marks a significant turning point in the reign of Asa, king of Judah. Up until this point, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 14 and 15, Asa had demonstrated remarkable devotion to the Lord. He initiated sweeping religious reforms, removed idolatry, and courageously sought God's help against the Cushite invasion (2 Chr 14), resulting in a resounding victory. Furthermore, he led Judah into a solemn covenant to seek the Lord (2 Chr 15), leading to a long period of peace. Chapter 16, however, introduces a decline in Asa's reliance on God. The exact chronological "thirty-sixth year" is a subject of scholarly debate; it likely refers to the 36th year from the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death, not the 36th year of Asa's personal reign, thereby aligning the narrative more consistently with the synchronistic dates in 1 Kings. Baasha, king of Israel (the Northern Kingdom), fortified Ramah (translit. Ramah - "height, high place") as a strategic move to cut off Judah from economic and military movement with the North.

2 Chronicles 16 1 Word analysis

• In the thirty-sixth year: This chronological marker (בשנת שלושים ושש, bišənat šəlōšîm wəšeš) is critical. As noted in the context, scholars widely interpret this not as Asa's 36th regnal year (as his reign lasted 41 years and Baasha died much earlier in 1 Kings 16:8), but rather the 36th year since the split of the kingdoms after Solomon's death. This reading allows synchronism with 1 Kings 15, where Baasha dies in Asa’s 26th regnal year. This emphasizes a long period of relative stability before this renewed conflict.

• of the reign of Asa: Asa (אָסָא, ’Āsā’) means "healer" or "physician," ironic given his later refusal to seek God for healing (2 Chr 16:12). His earlier reign was characterized by faithfulness, making this present act a deviation from his previous pattern of seeking God first.

• Baasha king of Israel: Baasha (בַּעְשָׁא, Ba‘šā’), whose name possibly means "he listens" or "man of offense/evil", was an aggressive king who had usurped the throne of Israel, establishing his own dynasty (1 Ki 15:27-34). His reign was marked by ongoing hostility with Judah. His action here is a calculated military and economic aggression.

• went up against Judah: Indicates a hostile military advance. The verb וַיַּעַל (wayya‘al) often denotes going "up" towards Jerusalem, which sits on higher ground, or a significant ascent in a military sense.

• and built Ramah: Ramah (רָמָה, Rāmāh), meaning "height," was a strategically vital city, about five miles north of Jerusalem. Building and fortifying it (ויבן, wayyiḇen) implies not just occupation but the establishment of a strong military outpost, complete with walls and infrastructure for a prolonged presence.

• to prevent anyone from going out or coming in: This describes the specific purpose of building Ramah: to impose a complete blockade (לְבִלְתִּי תֵת צֵאת וָבֹוא, lĕḇiltî tēṯ tsē’ṯ wāḇō’). It means cutting off all passage, impacting trade, travel, communication, and even potential military maneuvers for Asa's kingdom. It signifies an act of siege warfare designed to strangle Judah's northern access.

• to Asa king of Judah: The target of the blockade was directly the kingdom and influence of Asa, aimed at diminishing his power and resources.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "In the thirty-sixth year... Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah": This phrase establishes the temporal and political context. It highlights the continued struggle between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms and signifies a renewed military threat from Israel after a period of relative peace and Asa's religious revival.
  • "and built Ramah to prevent anyone from going out or coming in": This precisely defines Baasha's strategic objective. It was not just a skirmish but a calculated effort to cripple Judah's access, economically and militarily, to its northern territories and possibly cut off vital trade routes. This action underscores the severe pressure Judah faced, which tested Asa's reliance on God.

2 Chronicles 16 1 Bonus section

The dating issue concerning the "thirty-sixth year" found here (2 Chr 16:1) and the mention of Asa’s continued warfare until the 36th year (2 Chr 15:19) is a significant point in biblical chronology. While it might seem contradictory to 1 Kings 16:8 (where Baasha dies in Asa's 26th year), many scholars reconcile this by understanding the Chronicler's chronological reference not to Asa's individual reign but to the 36th year from the division of the kingdom. This alternative method of dating focuses on the overall history of God's covenant people rather than merely individual monarchs' reigns, serving the theological purpose of linking events within God's continuous work. This implies that the spirit of opposition and conflict (signified by Baasha's actions) continued into this late period, long after Asa's initial triumphs and reforms. The verse also serves as a polemic against the temptation to lean on military might and human alliances even for those who have experienced divine deliverance.

2 Chronicles 16 1 Commentary

2 Chronicles 16:1 serves as a stark turning point in King Asa’s narrative, presenting a crucial test of his faith that, unlike earlier challenges, he failed. After years of devoted service to the Lord, successful reforms, and a miraculous victory over the Cushite army solely by God's power (2 Chr 14), Asa now faces a new threat from Baasha, King of Israel. Rather than immediately turning to the Lord as he did before, this verse sets the stage for Asa’s misguided decision to rely on an alliance with the king of Aram and the riches of the temple to resolve the conflict (as revealed in the subsequent verses). The building of Ramah signifies a tangible chokehold on Judah, demanding a response. This strategic maneuver by Baasha aimed to cripple Judah's commerce and mobility. The Chronicler, focusing on Judah’s kings’ faithfulness to the Temple and covenant, highlights Asa’s deviation from his former trust, foreshadowing a decline rooted in human reasoning rather than divine dependence.