Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 16:6
Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials he built up Geba and Mizpah.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King Asa mobilizes all the men of Judah to dismantle the fortification works of Baasha at Ramah. This action occurs immediately after Baasha halts his construction project and precedes the arrival of the prophet Hanani.
The words — לָקַח (la.Kach) translates literally as "he took," describing Asa's seizure of the captured resources. וַ/יִּשְׂא֞וּ (va/i.yis.'U) means "and they carried off," detailing the physical removal of stones and timber.
The thread — The locations Geba and Mizpah reappear in Joshua 15:38 and Joshua 18:24 as part of the tribal allotments. Mizpah also functions as a national gathering site in 1 Samuel 7:6.
Why it lands — The text records a strategic dismantling of enemy fortifications using captured materials to reinforce Judah's own borders. It requires the reader to observe how political and military decisions precede prophetic evaluation.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Joshua 15:38 Dilan, Mizpeh, Joktheel,
- Joshua 18:24 Chephar-ammoni, Ophni, and Geba—twelve cities, along with their villages.
- 1 Samuel 7:6 When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.
- 1 Samuel 10:17 After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah
- 1 Kings 15:22 Then King Asa summoned all the men of Judah, with no exceptions, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials King Asa built up Geba of Benjamin, as well as Mizpah.
- 1 Chronicles 6:60 And from the tribe of Benjamin they were given Gibeon, Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth, together with their pasturelands. So they had thirteen cities in all among their families.
- 2 Chronicles 21:17 So they went to war against Judah, invaded it, and carried off all the possessions found in the king’s palace, along with his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest.
- Isaiah 10:29 They have crossed at the ford: “We will spend the night at Geba.” Ramah trembles; Gibeah of Saul flees.
- Zechariah 14:10 All the land from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem will be turned into a plain, but Jerusalem will be raised up and will remain in her place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses.
- 1 Samuel 7:16 Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places.