2 Chronicles 16 6

2 Chronicles 16:6 kjv

Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.

2 Chronicles 16:6 nkjv

Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them he built Geba and Mizpah.

2 Chronicles 16:6 niv

Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using. With them he built up Geba and Mizpah.

2 Chronicles 16:6 esv

Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Baasha had been building, and with them he built Geba and Mizpah.

2 Chronicles 16:6 nlt

Then King Asa called out all the men of Judah to carry away the building stones and timbers that Baasha had been using to fortify Ramah. Asa used these materials to fortify the towns of Geba and Mizpah.

2 Chronicles 16 verses

2 Chronicles 16 6 Meaning

2 Chronicles 16:6 details King Asa's tactical response to King Baasha of Israel's aggression. After Baasha fortified Ramah to blockade Judah, Asa mobilized his entire kingdom. He directed the people to dismantle the very fortifications Baasha had begun constructing, specifically carrying away the stones and timbers. These same salvaged materials were then strategically repurposed by Asa to strengthen Judah's own defensive towns, Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah, thereby turning an enemy's offensive advantage into his own protective stronghold. This act showcased Asa's military cunning and resourcefulness in turning a perceived threat into an opportunity for strengthening his borders.

2 Chronicles 16 6 Context

2 Chronicles 16:6 is situated within the latter part of King Asa's reign in Judah. The preceding chapters (2 Chronicles 14-15) highlight Asa's initial piety, his great victory over Zerah the Ethiopian army by solely trusting the Lord, and his subsequent spiritual reforms, including a covenant renewed with God and a widespread purge of idolatry. This verse details a practical military action in response to aggression from Baasha, King of Israel. Baasha's intent (from verse 16:1-5) was to establish Ramah as a fortified outpost, effectively cutting off travel and trade routes between Judah and Israel, and possibly applying pressure on Jerusalem. Asa's immediate response described in this verse is successful on a tactical level, neutralizing Baasha's immediate threat by dismantling his works. However, the verse sets the stage for a critical theological critique found in the subsequent verses (16:7-9), where the prophet Hanani rebukes Asa for relying on the King of Aram (Ben-Hadad) for military assistance instead of God, as he had done previously. Thus, while verse 6 portrays a militarily astute leader, it inadvertently underscores the beginning of Asa's spiritual decline.

2 Chronicles 16 6 Word analysis

• Then King Asa: Marks a shift in the narrative, focusing on Asa's personal initiative and leadership in this specific conflict with Baasha.
• took all Judah: The Hebrew verb is laqaḥ (לָקַח), meaning to take, seize, or acquire. This signifies a national effort, a mobilization of the entire southern kingdom. It suggests a unity and concerted action from the populace, directed by their king. This large-scale, unified effort shows the urgency and importance of the threat posed by Baasha.
• and they carried away: While "took" implies carrying, this phrase emphasizes the act of transportation of heavy materials. The people themselves participated in this laborious task, dismantling enemy works piece by piece.
• the stones of Geba and Mizpah, and the timbers: The Hebrew word for 'stones' is אֶבֶן (ʾeḇen) and for 'timbers' is עֵץ (ʿēṣ), meaning wood or trees. These were the core building components of Baasha's fortifications. Baasha was building at Ramah (mentioned in v.5), so these materials were from Baasha's construction at Ramah, which Asa dismantled and then re-purposed at Geba and Mizpah.
• from which Baasha had built: Emphasizes the origin and previous intent of the materials. Baasha, King of Israel, intended to strengthen his border and weaken Judah. Asa's act is a direct reversal of Baasha's efforts. The Hebrew verb bānan (בָּנָה), meaning "to build," indicates a deliberate construction effort by Baasha.
• and with them he fortified: The same Hebrew verb bānan (בָּנָה) is used, implying "to build" or "to establish securely." This shows the pragmatic recycling and strategic re-use of enemy resources for self-defense, demonstrating Asa's ingenuity. It's an efficient military counter-measure.
• Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah: These are key strategic locations. Geba (gebaʿ) was a Benjaminite city, on the border between Judah and Israel. Mizpah (miṣpâ), meaning "watchtower" or "outlook," was also a significant city in Benjamin's territory, commanding important roads. By fortifying these, Asa created a new defensive line, countering Baasha's attempts to control the crucial north-south arteries. The location "Geba of Benjamin" helps differentiate it from other places named Geba and specifies its strategic relevance within the tribal land of Benjamin, which remained loyal to Judah.

2 Chronicles 16 6 Bonus section

• Geopolitical Significance: Geba and Mizpah were critical choke points on the main north-south roads (ancient Way of the Patriarchs), especially the approach to Jerusalem. By fortifying these, Asa solidified his border defense against the northern kingdom.
• Economy of War: This act also demonstrates resourcefulness. Instead of spending Judah's own resources to build new fortifications, Asa leveraged Baasha's expense and effort, showing clever management of resources in wartime. This reduced the strain on Judah's treasury.
• Reversal of Fortunes: The verse beautifully portrays a reversal of fortunes: the very materials meant to subjugate Judah became tools for Judah's protection. It's a vivid example of God, even when not explicitly mentioned as the direct actor in this verse, working behind the scenes or allowing human cleverness to thwart the wicked designs of an adversary.

2 Chronicles 16 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 16:6 illustrates King Asa's effective, pragmatic military leadership in confronting Baasha's aggression. It showcases a moment of astute tactical action where Judah not only neutralized an enemy's advance but also economically repurposed the enemy's own resources to bolster its defenses. This act was a complete reversal of Baasha's efforts, turning his offensive materials into Asa's defensive strength, a clear victory in terms of strategy and execution. However, this verse serves as a crucial point of transition in Asa's narrative. While demonstrating human wisdom and might, it prefigures the later spiritual failure detailed in the subsequent verses. This pragmatic human victory, achieved without direct reference to divine intervention as seen in Asa's earlier battles, stands in stark contrast to his past reliance on the Lord. It subtly highlights a growing inclination towards self-reliance rather than absolute faith, laying the groundwork for the prophet Hanani's later rebuke concerning Asa's alliance with Syria instead of God. Thus, while tactically brilliant, this action becomes part of a narrative showing the beginning of a king's trust shifting from God to human means.