1 Kings 16:8
1 Kings 16:8 in Multiple Translations
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.
¶ In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and reigned two years.
In the twenty-sixth year that Asa was king of Judah, Elah, the son of Baasha, became king of Israel in Tirzah, and he was king for two years.
Elah, son of Baasha, became king of Israel in the twenty-sixth year of the reign of King Asa of Judah. He reigned in Tirzah for two years.
In the sixe and twentie yeere of Asa king of Iudah began Elah ye sonne of Baasha to reigne ouer Israel in Tirzah, and reigned two yeere.
In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah reigned hath Elah son of Baasha over Israel in Tirzah, two years;
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah for two years.
In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
In the six and twentieth year of Asa king of Juda, Ela the son of Baasa reigned over Israel in Thersa two years.
After Asa had been the king of Judah for almost 26 years, Elah became the king of Israel. Elah ruled in Tirzah for only two years.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 16:8
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 16:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בִּ/שְׁנַ֨ת
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
וָ/שֵׁשׁ֙
שָׁנָ֔ה
לְ/אָסָ֖א
מֶ֣לֶךְ
יְהוּדָ֑ה
מָ֠לַךְ
אֵלָ֨ה
בֶן
בַּעְשָׁ֧א
עַל
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
בְּ/תִרְצָ֖ה
שְׁנָתָֽיִם
בִּ/שְׁנַ֨ת
shâneh
H8141
year
Prep | N-fs
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
twenty
Adj
וָ/שֵׁשׁ֙
shêsh
H8337
six
Conj | Adj
שָׁנָ֔ה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
לְ/אָסָ֖א
ʼÂçâʼ
H609
Asa
Prep | N-proper
מֶ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
יְהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
מָ֠לַךְ
mâlak
H4427
to reign
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֵלָ֨ה
ʼÊlâh
H425
Elah
N-proper
בֶן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
בַּעְשָׁ֧א
Baʻshâʼ
H1201
Baasha
N-proper
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
בְּ/תִרְצָ֖ה
Tirtsâh
H8656
Tirzah
Prep | N-proper
שְׁנָתָֽיִם
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fd
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 16:8
בִּ/שְׁנַ֨ת
shâneh
H8141
"year"
Prep | N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
ʻesrîym
H6242
"twenty"
Adj
This word means twenty, and is also used as an ordinal number, like twentieth, as seen in Genesis 31:38. It can refer to a specific age or quantity.
Definition: twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: (six-) score, twenty(-ieth). See also: Genesis 6:3; 1 Kings 9:14; Ezra 2:19.
וָ/שֵׁשׁ֙
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
שָׁנָ֔ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
לְ/אָסָ֖א
ʼÂçâʼ
H609
"Asa"
Prep | N-proper
Asa was a king of Judah, son of Abijam, who ruled wisely and brought peace to the land, as recorded in 1 Kings 15:11-15 and 2 Chronicles 14-16.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at 1Ch.9.16; son of: Elkanah (H0511K); father of: Berechiah (H1296I) § Asa = "healer: injurious (?)" 1) king of Judah, son of Abijam, father of Jehoshaphat 2) a Levite
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: Asa. See also: 1 Kings 15:8; 2 Chronicles 13:23; Jeremiah 41:9.
מֶ֣לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
יְהוּדָ֑ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
מָ֠לַךְ
mâlak
H4427
"to reign"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To advise or counsel is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to reign or rule as a king. It is used in the Bible to describe the actions of leaders, like King Solomon, who sought wisdom to rule God's people. This word is found in the book of 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to be or become king or queen, reign 1a) (Qal) to be or become king or queen, reign 1b) (Hiphil) to make one king or queen, cause to reign 1c) (Hophal) to be made king or queen
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 36:31; 2 Kings 8:15; 2 Chronicles 10:17.
אֵלָ֨ה
ʼÊlâh
H425
"Elah"
N-proper
Elah refers to a place in Palestine or the name of several Israelites and an Edomite, meaning an oak valley. It appears in the Bible as a location and a personal name. In 1 Samuel 17:2, the Valley of Elah is where David fought Goliath.
Definition: Elah = "An oak" Combined with " Valley" (e.meq עֵ֫מֶק H6010I)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Elah. See also: Genesis 36:41; 1 Kings 16:14; 1 Chronicles 9:8.
בֶן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
בַּעְשָׁ֧א
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.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
בְּ/תִרְצָ֖ה
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.
שְׁנָתָֽיִם
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fd
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 16:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 1 Kings 16:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 16:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 16:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 16:8
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 16:8
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 16:8
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 16:8
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 16:8
Context — Elah Reigns in Israel
6And Baasha rested with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah, and his son Elah reigned in his place.
7Moreover, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands and becoming like the house of Jeroboam, and also because Baasha had struck down the house of Jeroboam.
8In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.
9However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. 10So in the twenty-seventh year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Zimri went in, struck Elah down, and killed him. And Zimri reigned in his place.1 Kings 16:8 Summary
[This verse tells us that Elah, the son of Baasha, became the king of Israel and reigned for two years in the city of Tirzah, during the twenty-sixth year of Asa's reign over Judah. This was a time of great upheaval in the kingdom of Israel, as seen in the surrounding verses. Elah's short reign reminds us that earthly power is fleeting and that our true hope and security come from God, as promised in Psalm 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 10:12. As we reflect on this verse, we can see that God is always at work, even in the midst of human sin and rebellion, and that His plans and purposes ultimately prevail, as seen in Isaiah 46:10 and Jeremiah 29:11.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we learn about the kingdom of Israel from the fact that Elah son of Baasha became king?
We learn that the kingdom of Israel was prone to short reigns and power struggles, as seen in the rapid succession of kings, including Elah's short two-year reign (1 Kings 16:8), which is reminiscent of the warnings given in Deuteronomy 28:36 and 1 Samuel 8:18.
How does the timing of Elah's reign relate to the kingdom of Judah?
Elah's reign in Israel occurred during the twenty-sixth year of Asa's reign over Judah, indicating that the two kingdoms coexisted and their histories are intertwined, as seen in 1 Kings 15:24 and 2 Chronicles 15:19.
What does the location of Tirzah reveal about the kingdom of Israel at this time?
The fact that Elah reigned in Tirzah, rather than Samaria, suggests that the kingdom of Israel was still in a state of flux and had not yet established a permanent capital, which is consistent with the earlier history of the kingdom in 1 Kings 12:25 and 14:17.
How does Elah's reign fit into the larger narrative of the kings of Israel?
Elah's reign is part of a series of short and often violent reigns in the kingdom of Israel, which ultimately fulfilled the prophecy given to Jeroboam in 1 Kings 14:10-11, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the fulfillment of God's word.
Reflection Questions
- What does the brevity of Elah's reign reveal about the nature of earthly power and the fleeting nature of human accomplishments?
- How can we apply the lessons of Israel's history, including the reign of Elah, to our own lives and the challenges we face in our communities and nations?
- In what ways can we see the hand of God at work in the rise and fall of kings, even in the midst of human sin and rebellion, as seen in Romans 13:1-2 and Proverbs 21:1?
- What does the fact that Elah's reign was marked by sin and violence, as seen in the following verses, say about the human condition and our need for redemption and forgiveness, as promised in Isaiah 53:5 and 1 John 1:9?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 16:8
In the twenty sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 16:8
In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years. Began Elah the son of Baasha to reign - (cf.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 16:8
One complete, and part of the other, , which in Scripture account is reckoned for a year. See Poole "".
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 16:8
1 Kings 16:8 In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.Ver. 8. Two years.] Current, but not fully complete. So God paid Baasha in kind for his cruelty to Nadab. He loveth to retaliate.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 16:8
8–14. Elah king of Israel (Not in Chronicles) 8. In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began] These words, like most other chronological dates, are omitted by the LXX. in Tirzah, two years] Here as in 1 Kings 15:33 the R.V. inserts in italics after ‘Tirzah’ the words and reigned, which makes the sense clearer.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 16:8
Two years - i. e., More than one year, or, at any rate, some portion of two distinct years (compare 1 Kings 16:10).
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 16:8
ELAH’S REIGN, 1 Kings 16:8-14. 8. Elah — The records of this king are a sad repetition of that of Nadab, the son of Jeroboam. As Nadab ended the first, so did Elah end the second, dynasty of Israelitish kings.