1 Kings 15:21
1 Kings 15:21 in Multiple Translations
When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
And Baasha, hearing of it, put a stop to the building of Ramah, and was living in Tirzah.
When Baasha heard about this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and retreated to Tirzah.
And when Baasha heard thereof, hee left buylding of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
and it cometh to pass at Baasha's hearing, that he ceaseth from building Ramah, and dwelleth in Tirzah.
When Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and lived in Tirzah.
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard of it , that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
And when Baasa had heard this, he left off building Rama, and returned into Thersa.
When Baasha heard about that, he told his soldiers to stop working at Ramah. He and his soldiers returned to Tirzah and stayed there.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 15:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 15:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
כִּ/שְׁמֹ֣עַ
בַּעְשָׁ֔א
וַ/יֶּחְדַּ֕ל
מִ/בְּנ֖וֹת
אֶת
הָֽ/רָמָ֑ה
וַ/יֵּ֖שֶׁב
בְּ/תִרְצָֽה
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כִּ/שְׁמֹ֣עַ
shâmaʻ
H8085
to hear
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בַּעְשָׁ֔א
Baʻshâʼ
H1201
Baasha
N-proper
וַ/יֶּחְדַּ֕ל
châdal
H2308
to cease
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מִ/בְּנ֖וֹת
bânâh
H1129
to build
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הָֽ/רָמָ֑ה
Râmâh
H7414
Ramah
Art | N-proper
וַ/יֵּ֖שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בְּ/תִרְצָֽה
Tirtsâh
H8656
Tirzah
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 15:21
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כִּ/שְׁמֹ֣עַ
shâmaʻ
H8085
"to hear"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
בַּעְשָׁ֔א
Baʻshâʼ
H1201
"Baasha"
N-proper
Baasha was a king of Israel, mentioned in 1 Kings 15:16, who killed King Nadab and founded the second dynasty of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Definition: A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.15.16; son of: Ahijah (H0281I); father of: Elah (H0425H) § Baasha = "wicked" third king of the northern kingdom of Israel and the founder of its second dynasty having killed the second king, Nadab
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: Baasha. See also: 1 Kings 15:16; 1 Kings 16:6; Jeremiah 41:9.
וַ/יֶּחְדַּ֕ל
châdal
H2308
"to cease"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To cease means to stop or end something, like when God told the Israelites to cease work on the Sabbath in Exodus 20:10. It can also mean to be idle or lacking. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a change in action or behavior.
Definition: 1) to stop, cease, desist, forego, cease to be, leave undone, forbear 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cease, come to an end 1a2) to cease, leave off
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let alone, rest, be unoccupied, want. See also: Genesis 11:8; 2 Chronicles 18:14; Psalms 36:4.
מִ/בְּנ֖וֹת
bânâh
H1129
"to build"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָֽ/רָמָ֑ה
Râmâh
H7414
"Ramah"
Art | N-proper
Ramah, a city in Palestine, was a place of battle between Israel and Syria.
Definition: Ramah = "hill" a place of battle between Israel and Syria Another name of ra.mot gi.l.ad (רָמֹת "Ramoth" H7433)
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Ramah. See also: Joshua 18:25; 1 Samuel 25:1; Isaiah 10:29.
וַ/יֵּ֖שֶׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
בְּ/תִרְצָֽה
Tirtsâh
H8656
"Tirzah"
Prep | N-proper
Tirzah was a city in ancient Palestine, one of the kingdoms conquered by Joshua and the Israelites, and later the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Definition: § Tirzah = "favourable" one of the kingdoms on the west of the Jordan conquered by Joshua and the Israelites a Canaanite city, later capital of the northern kingdom of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: Tirzah. See also: Numbers 26:33; 1 Kings 16:6; Song of Solomon 6:4.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 15:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 15:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 15:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 15:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 15:21
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
- Sermons on 1 Kings 15:21
Context — War between Asa and Baasha
19“Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”
20And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and the whole land of Naphtali, including the region of Chinnereth.
21When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.
22Then 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. 23Now the rest of the acts of Asa, along with all his might, all his accomplishments, and the cities he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? In his old age, however, he became diseased in his feet.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 14:17 | Then Jeroboam’s wife got up and departed for Tirzah, and as soon as she stepped over the threshold of the house, the boy died. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 16:15–18 | In the twenty-seventh year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Zimri reigned in Tirzah for seven days. Now the troops were encamped against Gibbethon of the Philistines, and the people in the camp heard that Zimri had not only conspired but had also struck down the king. So there in the camp that very day, all Israel proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel. Then Omri and all the Israelites marched up from Gibbethon and besieged Tirzah. When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he entered the citadel of the royal palace and burned it down upon himself. So he died |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 16:5 | When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work. |
| 4 | Song of Solomon 6:4 | You are as beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah, as lovely as Jerusalem, as majestic as troops with banners. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 15:17 | Baasha king of Israel went to war against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. |
1 Kings 15:21 Summary
This verse, 1 Kings 15:21, tells us that Baasha stopped building a fort at Ramah and went back to his own city, Tirzah, because he heard that another king, Ben-hadad, was attacking his kingdom. This shows that sometimes we need to change our plans and priorities in response to what's happening around us, as encouraged in James 4:13-15. Just like Baasha, we need to be willing to adjust our plans and trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 23:4. By doing so, we can use the resources and opportunities that God provides to build up and strengthen our own lives, just like King Asa did in 1 Kings 15:22.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Baasha stop fortifying Ramah?
Baasha stopped fortifying Ramah because he learned that Ben-hadad, the king of Aram, was attacking the cities of Israel, as seen in 1 Kings 15:20, and he needed to return to Tirzah to defend his own kingdom.
What was the significance of Ramah in this context?
Ramah was a strategic location that Baasha was trying to fortify, but he had to abandon his plans when he learned of the attack by Ben-hadad, as mentioned in 1 Kings 15:21, and King Asa of Judah was able to use the materials to build up his own cities, as seen in 1 Kings 15:22.
How did King Asa benefit from Baasha's withdrawal from Ramah?
King Asa benefited from Baasha's withdrawal because he was able to use the materials that Baasha had left behind to build up his own cities, Geba and Mizpah, as mentioned in 1 Kings 15:22, which helped to strengthen his kingdom.
What can we learn from Baasha's decision to withdraw from Ramah?
We can learn from Baasha's decision that sometimes we need to reassess our priorities and adjust our plans in response to changing circumstances, as seen in 1 Kings 15:21, and trust in God's sovereignty, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to stop and re-evaluate my plans, just like Baasha did in 1 Kings 15:21?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances change suddenly, as seen in this verse and encouraged in Psalm 23:4?
- What are some ways that I can use the resources and opportunities that God provides to build up and strengthen my own 'city', just like King Asa did in 1 Kings 15:22?
- What can I learn from Baasha's decision to withdraw from Ramah about the importance of being flexible and adaptable in my plans and priorities?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 15:21
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof,.... What was doing in the northern part of his kingdom: that he left off building of Ramah; which was the thing designed to be answered by this
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 15:21
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
Now the royal city of Israel. See . There he abode to defend his own kingdoms, and durst not return to oppose Asa, lest the Syrian king should make a second and worse invasion. So Asa met with success in his ungodly course, as on the other side good men sometimes meet with disappointment in a good cause and course. So there is no judging of causes by events.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
1 Kings 15:21 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard [thereof], that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.Ver. 21. And dwelt.] Seeking no further revenge against Asa.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
(21) Dwelt in Tirzah—that is, returned to his own capital: in the first instance, of course, retiring to meet the new enemy in the north, and then obliged to give up his attempt against Asa. From 1 Kings 20:34, it seems as if, till the time of Ahab, Syria retained its conquests and a certain supremacy over Israel. Baasha may have had to buy peace by undertaking to leave unmolested Judah, which might be considered a tributary of Syria.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
Verse 21. Dwelt in Tirzah.] This seems to have been the royal city; see 1Kg 15:33, and 1Kg 14:17; and in this Baasha was probably obliged to shut himself up.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 15:21
21. he left off building of Ramah] Thus releasing Jerusalem from its blockade, as Asa desired. In Chronicles it is said ‘he let his work cease.’ Tirzah] A royal residence before this time. See on 1 Kings 14:17.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:21
21. He left off building of Ramah — So Asa’s policy had its desired effect, and Baasha feared to have war on so many sides, and be hemmed in by hostile powers. Tirzah — See note on 1 Kings 14:17.
Sermons on 1 Kings 15:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Disobedience and Death of Asa by Chuck Smith | In his sermon, Chuck Smith discusses the disobedience and eventual death of King Asa, emphasizing how Asa's reliance on human strategy rather than faith in God led to his downfall. |
|
Union With Christ by Watchman Nee | Watchman Nee emphasizes the profound union believers have with Christ, highlighting that while they possess heavenly beauty, they are also equipped to confront spiritual battles ag |