King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 16:6 Mean?

2 Chronicles 16:6 in the King James Version says “Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha wa... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

4

And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. his: Heb. which were his

5

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

6

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.

7

And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

8

Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. a huge: Heb. in abundance


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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
וְאָסָ֣א1 of 21

Then Asa

H609

asa, the name of a king and of a levite

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ2 of 21

the king

H4428

a king

לָקַח֙3 of 21

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת4 of 21
H853

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

כָּל5 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְהוּדָ֔ה6 of 21

all Judah

H3063

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

וַיִּשְׂא֞וּ7 of 21

and they carried away

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת8 of 21
H853

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

אַבְנֵ֤י9 of 21

the stones

H68

a stone

הָֽרָמָה֙10 of 21

of Ramah

H7414

ramah, the name of four places in palestine

וְאֶת11 of 21
H853

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

עֵצֶ֔יהָ12 of 21

and the timber

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

וַיִּ֣בֶן14 of 21

and he built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בַּעְשָׁ֑א15 of 21

thereof wherewith Baasha

H1201

basha, a king of israel

וַיִּ֣בֶן16 of 21

and he built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בָּהֶ֔ם17 of 21
H0
אֶת18 of 21
H853

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

גֶּ֖בַע19 of 21

therewith Geba

H1387

geba, a place in palestine

וְאֶת20 of 21
H853

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

הַמִּצְפָּֽה׃21 of 21

and Mizpah

H4709

mitspah, the name of two places in palestine


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 16:6 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 16:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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