Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 16:1
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records historical events during the thirty-sixth year of King Asa’s reign, describing Baasha king of Israel’s military campaign against Judah.
The words — The verse opens with בִּשְׁנַת שְׁלֹשִׁים וָשֵׁשׁ (bi/sh.Nat she.lo.Shim va./Shesh), literally "in the year thirty and six," establishing precise chronology. It continues with עָלָה (‘a.Lah), "he came up," denoting Baasha’s forced march and strategic elevation against Judah’s borders.
The thread — The persistent hostility between Asa and Baasha is confirmed in 1 Kings 15:16, while 1 Kings 12:27 explains the northern strategy of controlling religious centers to secure political loyalty. Asa’s diplomatic countermeasure using Judah’s temple and palace treasures is documented in 2 Chronicles 16:2.
Why it lands — The text states that Baasha fortified Ramah to isolate Judah economically and militarily, demonstrating how political fear drives military action. It asks the reader to observe how human strategies of control and isolation are met with desperate alliances rather than faith.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 15:9 And he assembled all Judah and Benjamin, along with those from the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who had settled among them, for great numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.
- 1 Kings 12:27 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.”
- 1 Kings 15:16 Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.
- 2 Chronicles 11:13 Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam.
- 2 Chronicles 15:5 In those days there was no safety for travelers, because the residents of the lands had many conflicts.