2 Chronicles 16 5

2 Chronicles 16:5 kjv

And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.

2 Chronicles 16:5 nkjv

Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah and ceased his work.

2 Chronicles 16:5 niv

When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and abandoned his work.

2 Chronicles 16:5 esv

And when Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah and let his work cease.

2 Chronicles 16:5 nlt

As soon as Baasha of Israel heard what was happening, he abandoned his project of fortifying Ramah and stopped all work on it.

2 Chronicles 16 verses

2 Chronicles 16 5 Meaning

This verse details King Baasha of Israel's swift reaction upon learning that King Asa of Judah had successfully engineered an attack on Israel by Ben-hadad, King of Syria. Faced with this new threat in his northern territories, Baasha immediately abandoned his strategic construction project at Ramah, a crucial border fortification, halting all efforts there. His cessation of work was a direct, forced response to the diversion of his military resources and attention away from Judah and towards the Syrian incursion.

2 Chronicles 16 5 Context

This verse is situated within the account of King Asa's reign in Judah, particularly detailing a significant shift in his approach to kingship and reliance on God. Initially, Asa was renowned for his devout faith, purging idolatry and seeking the Lord's help in battles (2 Chr 14-15). By the 36th year of his reign (as referenced in 2 Chr 16:1, although chronologers often reconcile this as 36th year from the division of the kingdom, or a scribe's error, rather than Asa's personal 36th year), he faced a renewed threat from Baasha, King of Israel, who began fortifying Ramah. Ramah, located just five miles north of Jerusalem on a main travel route, was a strategically vital site. Its fortification by Baasha was a military blockade, designed to cut off access to Judah and prevent Israelites from migrating south to worship in Jerusalem. Instead of seeking divine counsel as before, Asa responded by forming a political-military alliance with Ben-hadad of Syria, bribing him with the temple and royal treasury's wealth to attack Baasha's northern kingdom. This verse, 2 Chronicles 16:5, describes the immediate and successful military outcome of Asa's secular strategy: Baasha's prompt withdrawal from Ramah. However, this military victory was swiftly followed by a prophetic rebuke from Hanani the seer, criticizing Asa for his failure to trust God fully, highlighting a tragic turn in Asa's spiritual walk despite the apparent immediate success.

2 Chronicles 16 5 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי – vayhi): A common narrative connector, signifying an immediate consequence or event that unfolds from a prior action or situation. It frequently implies a sequence within a divine unfolding, even when human choices drive the immediate cause.
• when Baasha (בַּעְשָׁא – Ba'sha): The name of the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel, who reigned for 24 years. He gained the throne through a violent coup, destroying the house of Jeroboam, and maintained a continuous state of warfare with Judah, including aggressive actions like the fortification of Ramah.
• heard it (שָׁמַע – shama): To hear, listen, understand, and often implying obedience or taking action in response. In this context, Baasha not only received information about the Syrian attack but understood its implications and acted decisively based on it, diverting his military focus.
• that he left off (חָדַל – chadal): This Hebrew verb signifies to cease, stop, desist, or refrain completely. It implies an abrupt and total cessation, rather than a mere pause. The emphasis here is on the definitive and immediate abandonment of the building project, forced by the shifting strategic landscape.
• building (לִבְנוֹת – livnot): The infinitive form of the verb "to build" or "to construct." This refers to Baasha's strategic fortification of Ramah, which involved significant labor and resources, intended to control the major northward route from Jerusalem and hinder access to Judah.
• Ramah (הָרָמָה – haRamah): A significant town situated about eight kilometers (five miles) north of Jerusalem. Its name means "the height" or "high place," indicative of its elevated and strategic position. Controlling Ramah was crucial as it overlooked the primary northern road from Judah, making it an ideal point for a blockade against the kingdom of Judah.
• and let his work cease (וַיַּשְׁבֵּת מְלַאכְתּוֹ – vayyashbet melachto): This phrase further emphasizes the complete cessation of activity. Vayyashbet is the Hiphil (causative) form of shavat, meaning "he caused to cease" or "he brought to a halt," indicating Baasha's active decision to terminate the project. Melachto (from melakha) refers to his 'work' or 'undertaking,' denoting the significant, ongoing project at Ramah. The double emphasis of 'left off' and 'let... cease' powerfully communicates the suddenness and finality of Baasha's withdrawal due to the unforeseen external pressure from the Syrian invasion.

• Words-Group Analysis:
• "When Baasha heard it...": This phrase acts as a pivotal trigger. It highlights how the intelligence of the Syrian attack completely altered Baasha's military strategy. His action was a direct, rational response to new information, emphasizing the dynamic and reactive nature of ancient warfare.
• "...he left off building Ramah, and let his work cease.": The dual expressions, "left off building" and "let his work cease," function as a strong literary device. This emphatic repetition reinforces the immediacy, comprehensiveness, and finality of Baasha's abandonment of the fortification project. It underscores that this was not a temporary halt but a complete relinquishment, underscoring the success of Asa's counter-strategy and the profound impact of the Syrian intervention.

2 Chronicles 16 5 Bonus section

• The very materials Baasha abandoned at Ramah were strategically re-purposed by Asa. He commanded Judah's populace to dismantle the fortress at Ramah, carrying away its stones and timber to fortify two Judahite border towns: Geba in Benjamin and Mizpah (2 Chr 16:6). This demonstrates a swift and effective reversal of military advantage.
• Ramah's significance cannot be overstated; it was not just any town but a critical choke-point. By building there, Baasha intended to effectively block the primary travel and trade route from Judah northward and, more importantly, to deter any potential defections of Israelites desiring to worship in Jerusalem or align with Asa.
• This episode, despite its immediate military success for Judah, marks a turning point in King Asa's reign, signaling a regrettable shift from his earlier unwavering trust in the Lord to reliance on human wisdom, political alliances, and financial maneuvering. This pattern unfortunately continued with his later reliance on physicians instead of God during his illness (2 Chr 16:12).
• The account in 2 Chronicles 16:5 has a close parallel in 1 Kings 15:21, reflecting a consistent historical record. However, the Chronicler's narrative distinctively frames this event as a precursor to Hanani the seer's powerful prophecy against Asa, emphasizing the theological consequences of Asa's deviation from complete reliance on God.

2 Chronicles 16 5 Commentary

2 Chronicles 16:5 captures the immediate military triumph of King Asa's controversial strategy against King Baasha of Israel. Upon learning of the Syrian invasion of his northern lands—instigated by Asa's substantial bribe—Baasha was compelled to abruptly cease his vital, ongoing fortification of Ramah. This strategic withdrawal, detailed with striking directness through repetitive verbs for 'cease', allowed Judah to subsequently utilize the abandoned materials, reversing Baasha's offensive. While effective in alleviating the immediate military pressure on Judah, this victory for Asa came at the cost of failing to solely trust in God's power, instead resorting to political machinations and worldly wealth. The immediate military success, therefore, serves as a setup for the divine rebuke that follows, illustrating that an outwardly successful outcome, if achieved through means that depart from absolute reliance on God, still has significant spiritual implications for the leader. It showcases divine providence can work through various channels, yet God's preference remains for the faithful reliance of His people.