2 Chronicles 16:5
2 Chronicles 16:5 in Multiple Translations
When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work.
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and let his work cease.
Then Baasha, hearing of it, put a stop to the building of Ramah, and let his work come to an end.
When Baasha heard about it, he stopped fortifying Ramah and gave up his project.
And when Baasha heard it, he left building of Ramah, and let his worke cease.
And it cometh to pass, at Baasha's hearing, that he ceaseth from building Ramah, and letteth his work rest;
When Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and let his work cease.
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it , that he left off the building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
And when Baasa heard of it, he left off the building of Rama, and interrupted his work.
When Baasha heard about that, he commanded his troops to stop fortifying Ramah and doing other work there.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 16:5
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.
2 Chronicles 16:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִי֙
כִּ/שְׁמֹ֣עַ
בַּעְשָׁ֔א
וַ/יֶּחְדַּ֕ל
מִ/בְּנ֖וֹת
אֶת
הָ/רָמָ֑ה
וַ/יַּשְׁבֵּ֖ת
אֶת
מְלַאכְתּֽ/וֹ
וַ/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
הָ/רָמָ֑ה
Râmâh
H7414
Ramah
Art | N-proper
וַ/יַּשְׁבֵּ֖ת
shâbath
H7673
to cease
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
מְלַאכְתּֽ/וֹ
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
work
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 16:5
וַ/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.
הָ/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/יַּשְׁבֵּ֖ת
shâbath
H7673
"to cease"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To keep the Sabbath means to rest and stop working, as commanded by God in the book of Exodus. This Hebrew word is used to describe the act of observing the Sabbath day, and is an important part of Jewish tradition and worship.
Definition: 1) to cease, desist, rest 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cease 1a2) to rest, desist (from labour) 1b) (Niphal) to cease 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to cease, put an end to 1c2) to exterminate, destroy 1c3) to cause to desist from 1c4) to remove 1c5) to cause to fail
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away. See also: Genesis 2:2; Isaiah 14:4; Psalms 8:3.
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.
מְלַאכְתּֽ/וֹ
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
"work"
N-fs | Suff
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Definition: 1) occupation, work, business 1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship 1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious
Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). See also: Genesis 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:13; Psalms 73:28.
Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 16:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — War between Asa and Baasha
3“Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”
4And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
5When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work.
6Then 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. 7At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.2 Chronicles 16:5 Summary
[This verse tells us that when Baasha, the king of Israel, found out about the treaty between King Asa and Ben-hadad, he stopped building a fort in Ramah and gave up on his project. This shows that even the strongest people can be affected by the actions of others, and that sometimes we need to change our plans and trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 33:10-11. By studying this verse, we can learn to trust in God's plan and not our own strength, and to be willing to adjust our plans when circumstances change, just like Baasha did. We can also see that God is always watching and ready to help those who rely on Him, as seen in 2 Chronicles 16:9.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Baasha stop fortifying Ramah when he learned about the treaty between King Asa and Ben-hadad?
Baasha stopped fortifying Ramah because he knew that the combined forces of King Asa and Ben-hadad would be too strong for him to overcome, as seen in 2 Chronicles 16:4 where Ben-hadad's armies conquered several cities of Israel, and this realization led him to abandon his work in Ramah to potentially regroup and defend his own territory.
What can we learn from Baasha's decision to abandon his work in Ramah?
We can learn that even the strongest among us can be affected by the actions of others, and that sometimes it's necessary to re-evaluate our plans and priorities, as the Bible teaches in Proverbs 19:21 that 'many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails'.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the chapter, as it shows the immediate consequence of King Asa's decision to form an alliance with Ben-hadad, and it sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, which explores the spiritual implications of Asa's actions, as seen in 2 Chronicles 16:7-10 where the prophet Hanani rebukes Asa for relying on the king of Aram instead of God.
What does this verse teach us about the nature of God's sovereignty?
This verse teaches us that God is sovereign over the affairs of nations and individuals, and that He can use the actions of one person to affect the plans of another, as seen in 2 Chronicles 16:9 where Hanani tells Asa that God is always watching and ready to help those who rely on Him, and this is reinforced in Psalm 33:10-11 which states that God's plans will always succeed.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be relying on my own strength and resources instead of trusting in God's sovereignty?
- How can I apply the lesson of Baasha's abandoned work to my own life, and what are some 'Ramahs' that I may need to abandon in order to follow God's plan?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem uncertain or unpredictable?
- How can I balance the need to make plans and take action with the recognition that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, as seen in Proverbs 19:21?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 16:5
[See comments on 2 Chronicles 16:1].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 16:5
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 16:5
2 Chronicles 16:3 [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. Ver. 3-6. See on 1 Kings 15:19-21, &c.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 16:5
(5) And it came to pass.—See 1 Kings 15:21. And let his work cease.—Vay-yashbêth ’ethmelakhtô. Kings: “vay-yêsheb bëthirzah, “and dwelt in Tirzah.” The partial similarity of the Heb. is obvious. Kings appears to be correct, and the tautologous reading of the chronicler is to be ascribed to a fault in the writer’s MS.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 16:5
5. and let his work cease] In 1 Kin. and dwelt in Tirzah (Heb.), and returned to Tirzah (LXX.). Baasha (like Jeroboam; 1 Kings 14:17) fixed his seat of government at Tirzah in the centre of the Northern Kingdom in order to be able to watch Syria as well as Judah. The Chronicler takes no interest in the home of Baasha.