King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 16:1 Mean?

“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 · KJV

Context

1

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

Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, Damascus: Heb. Darmesek

3

There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Human alliances replacing trust in God. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
בִּשְׁנַ֨ת1 of 21

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים2 of 21

“and thirtieth”

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וָשֵׁשׁ֙3 of 21

“In the six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

לְמַלְכ֣וּת4 of 21

“of the reign”

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

לְאָסָ֖א5 of 21

“of Asa”

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

עָלָ֞ה6 of 21

“came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בַּעְשָׁ֤א7 of 21

“Baasha”

H1201

basha, a king of israel

מֶ֥לֶךְ8 of 21

“king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙9 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עַל10 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְהוּדָֽה׃11 of 21

“against Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיִּ֖בֶן12 of 21

“and built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת13 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָֽרָמָ֑ה14 of 21

“Ramah”

H7414

ramah, the name of four places in palestine

לְבִלְתִּ֗י15 of 21

“to the intent that”

H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

תֵּ֚ת16 of 21

“he might let”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יוֹצֵ֣א17 of 21

“none go out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וָבָ֔א18 of 21

“or come in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְאָסָ֖א19 of 21

“of Asa”

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

מֶ֥לֶךְ20 of 21

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָֽה׃21 of 21

“against Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 16:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 16:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 15:91 Kings 15:16-222 Chronicles 11:13-171 Kings 12:272 Chronicles 15:5

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