1 Kings 15:21
New International Version
When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.

New Living Translation
As soon as Baasha of Israel heard what was happening, he abandoned his project of fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.

English Standard Version
And when Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and he lived in Tirzah.

Berean Standard Bible
When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

New King James Version
Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah, and remained in Tirzah.

New American Standard Bible
When Baasha heard about it, he stopped fortifying Ramah and remained in Tirzah.

NASB 1995
When Baasha heard of it, he ceased fortifying Ramah and remained in Tirzah.

NASB 1977
And it came about when Baasha heard of it that he ceased fortifying Ramah, and remained in Tirzah.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that when Baasha heard of it, he ceased building up Ramah and remained in Tirzah.

Amplified Bible
When Baasha heard about it, he stopped fortifying Ramah and stayed in Tirzah.

Christian Standard Bible
When Baasha heard about it, he quit building Ramah and stayed in Tirzah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Baasha heard about it, he quit building Ramah and stayed in Tirzah.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

Contemporary English Version
When Baasha heard about it, he left Ramah and went back to Tirzah.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Baasha heard the news, he stopped fortifying Ramah and lived in Tirzah.

Good News Translation
When King Baasha heard what had happened, he stopped fortifying Ramah and went to Tirzah.

International Standard Version
When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and remained in Tirzah,

Majority Standard Bible
When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.

NET Bible
When Baasha heard the news, he stopped fortifying Ramah and settled down in Tirzah.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when Baasha heard of it, that he left off building Ramah, and lived in Tirzah.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard of it, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

World English Bible
When Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and lived in Tirzah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass at Baasha’s hearing, that he ceases from building Ramah, and dwells in Tirzah.

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass at Baasha's hearing, that he ceaseth from building Ramah, and dwelleth in Tirzah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be when Baasha heard, and he will leave off building Ramah, and he will dwell in Tirzah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Baasa had heard this, he left off building Rama, and returned into Thersa.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Baasha had heard this, he ceased from fortifying Ramah, and he returned to Tirzah.

New American Bible
When Baasha heard of it, he left off fortifying Ramah, and stayed in Tirzah.

New Revised Standard Version
When Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah and lived in Tirzah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when Baasha heard of it, he left off building Ramtha and dwelt in Tirzah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Baasha heard, he stopped from building Ramtha, and he dwelt in Terzah.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, when Baasa heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass when Baasa heard it, that he left off building Rama, and returned to Thersa.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
War Between Asa and Baasha
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.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 16:5
When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work.

1 Kings 12:25
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And from there he went out and built Penuel.

2 Chronicles 14:1-7
Then Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Asa reigned in his place, and in his days the land was at peace for ten years. / And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. / He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles. ...

2 Chronicles 15:19
And there was no war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

2 Chronicles 16:1-6
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. / So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus: / “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.” ...

1 Kings 15:16-20
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days. / 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. / So Asa withdrew all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace. He entrusted it to his servants and sent them with this message to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus: ...

2 Samuel 5:9
So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward.

1 Kings 12:27
If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, their hearts will return to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah; then they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.”

1 Kings 14:30
There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their days.

1 Kings 16:9
However, 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.

2 Chronicles 11:5-12
Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built up cities for defense in Judah. / He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, / Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, ...

2 Chronicles 13:19
Abijah pursued Jeroboam and captured some cities from him: Bethel, Jeshanah, and Ephron, along with their villages.

2 Chronicles 14:6-7
Because the land was at peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. In those days no one made war with him, because the LORD had given him rest. / So he said to the people of Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God. We have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.

Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Luke 11:17
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelled in Tirzah.

when Baasha

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.

Tirzah

1 Kings 14:17
And Jeroboam's wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah: and when she came to the threshold of the door, the child died;

1 Kings 16:15-18
In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines…

Song of Solomon 6:4
Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.

Jump to Previous
Baasa Baasha Ba'asha Baasha's Building Ceased Ceaseth Dwelleth Dwelt Fortifying Heard Hearing Ramah Stop Stopped Thereof Tirzah Withdrew
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Baasa Baasha Ba'asha Baasha's Building Ceased Ceaseth Dwelleth Dwelt Fortifying Heard Hearing Ramah Stop Stopped Thereof Tirzah Withdrew
1 Kings 15
1. Abijam's wicked reign
7. Asa succeeds him
9. Asa's good reign
16. The war between Baasha and him causes him to make a league with Ben-Hadad
23. Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa
25. Nadab's wicked reign
27. Baasha conspiring against him, executes Ahijah's prophecy
31. Nadab's acts and death
33. Baasha's wicked reign














When Baasha heard this
The phrase begins with Baasha, the king of Israel, who was in conflict with Asa, the king of Judah. The Hebrew root for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and responding. In the biblical context, hearing often leads to action, as it does here. Baasha's response to the news he received demonstrates the power of strategic communication and intelligence in ancient warfare. Historically, this reflects the constant tension and political maneuvering between the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

he stopped building Ramah
Ramah was a strategically important city located near the border of Israel and Judah. The Hebrew root for "building" is "בָּנָה" (banah), which means to build or establish. Baasha's construction of Ramah was a military strategy to fortify his position and exert control over Judah. The cessation of this building project indicates a significant shift in Baasha's plans, likely due to the threat posed by Asa's alliance with Ben-Hadad of Aram. This highlights the importance of alliances and the impact of external pressures on internal projects in the ancient Near East.

and withdrew to Tirzah
Tirzah was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel before Samaria. The Hebrew root for "withdrew" is "שׁוּב" (shuv), meaning to turn back or retreat. This retreat signifies a tactical decision by Baasha, possibly to consolidate his forces or reassess his strategy. Tirzah, known for its beauty and strategic location, served as a royal city and a place of refuge. The movement from Ramah to Tirzah underscores the fluid nature of political and military strategies in the biblical narrative, where leaders often had to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

(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 1Kings 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.

Verse 21. - And it came to pasta, when Baaaha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah [He could not prosecute it when he had enemies on every side. He at once assumes the defensive], and dwelt in Tirzah. [Ch. 14:17. He retired to his capital It is not implied that he had entertained the idea of dwelling at Ramah.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When
וַֽיְהִי֙ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

Baasha
בַּעְשָׁ֔א (ba‘·šā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1201: Baasha -- a king of Israel

learned of this,
כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ (kiš·mō·a‘)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

he stopped
וַיֶּחְדַּ֕ל (way·yeḥ·dal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle

fortifying
מִבְּנ֖וֹת (mib·bə·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

Ramah
הָֽרָמָ֑ה (hā·rā·māh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7414: Ramah -- 'height', the name of several places in Israel

and withdrew
וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

to Tirzah.
בְּתִרְצָֽה׃ (bə·ṯir·ṣāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8656: Tirzah -- daughter of Zelophehad, also a Canaanite city


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OT History: 1 Kings 15:21 It happened when Baasha heard of it (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 15:20
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