1 Kings 15:22 Then 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.

◄ 1 Kings 15:22 ►

New International Version
Then King Asa issued an order to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using there. With them King Asa built up Geba in Benjamin, and also Mizpah.

New Living Translation
Then King Asa sent an order throughout Judah, requiring that everyone, without exception, help to carry away the building stones and timbers that Baasha had been using to fortify Ramah. Asa used these materials to fortify the town of Geba in Benjamin and the town of Mizpah.

English Standard Version
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah, none was exempt, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Baasha had been building, and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

Berean Standard Bible
Then 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.

King James Bible
Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

New King James Version
Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted. And they took away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

New American Standard Bible
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had built fortifications. And King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

NASB 1995
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah— none was exempt— and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had built. And King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

NASB 1977
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah—none was exempt—and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had built. And King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then King Asa caused an announcement to be heard throughout all Judah—none was exempt—and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building. And King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

Amplified Bible
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah—none was exempt—and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had built [the fortifications]. And King Asa built with them [border fortresses at] Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

Christian Standard Bible
Then King Asa gave a command to everyone without exception in Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had built it with. Then King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah with them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then King Asa gave a command to everyone without exception in Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had built it with. Then King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah with them.

American Standard Version
Then king Asa made a proclamation unto all Judah; none was exempted: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Contemporary English Version
Asa ordered everyone in Judah to carry away the stones and wood Baasha had used to strengthen the town of Ramah. Then he used these same stones and wood to fortify the town of Geba in the territory of Benjamin and the town of Mizpah.

English Revised Version
Then king Asa made a proclamation unto all Judah; none was exempted: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then King Asa drafted everyone in Judah and excused no one. He made them carry the stones and lumber from Ramah. Baasha had been using those to fortify the city. King Asa used the materials to fortify Geba in Benjamin and Mizpah.

Good News Translation
Then King Asa sent out an order throughout all of Judah requiring everyone, without exception, to help carry away from Ramah the stones and timber that Baasha had been using to fortify it. With this material Asa fortified Mizpah and Geba, a city in the territory of Benjamin.

International Standard Version
so King Asa published a proclamation throughout Judah (no one was left out) and they carried away the stones and timber with which Baasha had been fortifying Judah. King Asa used them to fortify Geba in Benjamin and Mizpah.

Majority Standard Bible
Then 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.

NET Bible
King Asa ordered all the men of Judah (no exemptions were granted) to carry away the stones and wood that Baasha had used to build Ramah. King Asa used the materials to build up Geba (in Benjamin) and Mizpah.

New Heart English Bible
Then king Asa made a proclamation to all Judah; none was exempted: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and its timber, with which Baasha had built; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and its timber, with which Baasha had built it; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

World English Bible
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah. No one was exempted. They carried away the stones of Ramah, and its timber, with which Baasha had built; and King Asa used it to build Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And King Asa has summoned all Judah—there is none exempt—and they lift up the stones of Ramah, and its wood, that Baasha has built, and King Asa builds with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Young's Literal Translation
And king Asa hath summoned all Judah -- there is none exempt -- and they lift up the stones of Ramah, and its wood, that Baasha hath built, and king Asa buildeth with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And king Asa caused all Judah to hear; none free: and they will lift up the stones of Ramah and its woods which Baasha built, and king Asa will build with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpeh.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But king Asa sent word into all Juda, saying: Let no man be excused: and they took away the stones from Rama, and the timber thereof wherewith Baasa had been building, and with them Asa built Gabaa of Benjamin, and Maspha.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then king Asa sent an announcement to all of Judah, saying, “Let no one be excused.” And they took away the stones from Ramah, and its timber, with which Baasha had fortified it. And from these things, king Asa built up Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

New American Bible
Then King Asa summoned all Judah without exception, and they carried away the stones and beams with which Baasha was fortifying Ramah. With them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

New Revised Standard Version
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah, none was exempt: they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Baasha had been building; with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted; and they carried away the stones of Ramtha and its timber with which Baasha had built it; and King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpeh.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King Asa made it heard to all Yehuda, and there was none who was exempted, and they picked up the stones of Ramtha and the wood with which Baasha built, and with them King Asa built Gebah of Benyamin and Metspaya.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then king Asa made a proclamation unto all Judah; none was exempted; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasa had builded; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And king Asa charged all Juda without exception: and they take up the stones of Rama and its timbers with which Baasa was building; and king Asa built with them upon the whole hill of Benjamin, and the watch-tower.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

War Between Asa and Baasha
…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.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Chronicles 16:6
Then 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.

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 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 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.

2 Chronicles 15:8
When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple.

2 Chronicles 17:2
He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

2 Chronicles 11:23
Rehoboam also acted wisely by dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and sought many wives for them.

Nehemiah 4:16-18
And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah / who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. / And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.

Isaiah 22:10
You counted the houses of Jerusalem and tore them down to strengthen the wall.

Jeremiah 31:38-40
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when this city will be rebuilt for Me, from the tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. / The measuring line will once again stretch out straight to the hill of Gareb and then turn toward Goah. / The whole valley of the dead bodies and ashes, and all the fields as far as the Kidron Valley, to the corner of the Horse Gate to the east, will be holy to the LORD. It will never again be uprooted or demolished.”

Matthew 5:41
and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Luke 14:28-30
Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? / Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, / saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’

Acts 15:16
‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,

Hebrews 11:30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

1 Kings 9:15-19
This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon imposed to build the house of the LORD, his own palace, the supporting terraces, and the wall of Jerusalem, as well as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. / Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. / So Solomon rebuilt Gezer, Lower Beth-horon, ...

Treasury of Scripture

Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, with which Baasha had built; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

made a proclamation

2 Chronicles 16:6
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.

exempted [heb] free

Joshua 18:24
And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:

Gaba

1 Kings 21:17
And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,

Mizpah

Joshua 18:26
And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

1 Samuel 7:5
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.

Mizpeh

Jeremiah 40:6,10
Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land…

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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

Berean Study Bible

Then King Asa summoned all Judah
The phrase begins with "Then," indicating a continuation of events. King Asa, a ruler noted for his faithfulness to God, is taking decisive action. The Hebrew root for "summoned" (קָרָא, qara) implies a calling or proclamation, often used in contexts where authority is exercised. Asa's summoning of "all Judah" reflects a united effort, emphasizing the collective responsibility and unity of the people under a godly leader. Historically, this reflects a period of reform and consolidation in Judah, as Asa sought to strengthen his kingdom both spiritually and militarily.

with no exceptions
This phrase underscores the inclusivity and urgency of Asa's command. The Hebrew context suggests a comprehensive call to action, leaving no room for passivity. It highlights Asa's determination to involve every able person in the task at hand, reflecting a communal effort in the face of external threats. This mirrors the biblical principle of collective responsibility and the importance of unity in achieving God's purposes.

and they carried away the stones of Ramah
Ramah was a strategic location, and the stones represent the fortifications built by Baasha, king of Israel, to blockade Judah. The Hebrew word for "carried away" (נָשָׂא, nasa) implies lifting or bearing a burden, symbolizing the removal of obstacles. This act of dismantling Baasha's work signifies a divine reversal of enemy plans, showcasing God's sovereignty in protecting His people. Archaeologically, this reflects the common practice of reusing building materials, emphasizing resourcefulness and divine provision.

and the timber with which Baasha had been building
Timber, a valuable resource in ancient construction, represents the efforts of Baasha to fortify his position against Judah. The Hebrew context suggests a deliberate dismantling of enemy strongholds. This act of reclaiming and repurposing enemy resources illustrates God's ability to turn what was meant for harm into a blessing for His people, a recurring theme in Scripture.

And with these materials King Asa built up Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah
The phrase "built up" (בָּנָה, banah) in Hebrew conveys the idea of establishing or fortifying. Asa's use of reclaimed materials to strengthen Geba and Mizpah, both significant locations in Benjamin, reflects strategic wisdom and divine guidance. Geba and Mizpah were key defensive sites, and their fortification ensured Judah's security. This action symbolizes restoration and renewal, themes central to Asa's reign and reflective of God's redemptive work in the lives of His people. Historically, this demonstrates the importance of strategic planning and resourcefulness in leadership, undergirded by faith in God's provision and protection.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) Throughout all Judah.--Asa was not content to destroy or occupy the hostile fortress, but pushed his own fortifications further on. Geba, named in Joshua 21:17 as a city of the priests, in the territory of Benjamin, the scene of Jonathan's victory over a Philistine garrison in the days of Samuel (1Samuel 13:3)--identified with the modern Jeba--lies on the edge of a valley some distance to the north. It is noted in 2Kings 23:8 as still the northern outpost of the kingdom of Judah. The Mizpah here referred to--for there were many places so called--a city of Benjamin (Joshua 18:26), famous in the earlier history (see 1Samuel 7:5-13; 1Samuel 10:17-25), seems to have been situated at the place afterwards called Scopim ("the watch-tower"), on "the broad ridge which forms the continuation of the Mount of Olives to the north and east, from which the traveller gains his first view" of Jerusalem (Dict. of the Bible: MIZPAH). . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 22. - Then king Asa made a proclamation [Heb. made all to hear] throughout all Judah; none was exempted [Heb. none free], and they took away [Heb. took up] the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha [It is noticeable that it is generally "king Asa," but never "king Baasha"] had bullded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin [Sometimes "the Geba," i.e., height; in Joshua 18:24, Gaba; now Jeba, only 45' northeast of Ramah. This was the northern limit of the southern kingdom (2 Kings 23:8). It occupied a striking position, standing on a rocky knoll on the south side of the great gorge of Michmash (now known as the Wady Suweinit), a "great crack or fissure in the country, with vertical precipices some 800 feet high" (Conder, p. 254; cf. Dict. Bib., 1. p. 658 and Porter, 1. p. 214). As Geba would command the pass, it is easy to understand why Asa fortified it, the more so as this defile "appears to have been more than once the meeting place between the Jews and their enemies" (Conder)], and Mizpah. [Heb. the Mizpah, i.e., watch tower (Genesis 31:49). The name points to an eminence, but it is remarkable that while so many sites of minor importance have been recovered, this old gathering place of the tribes (Judges 21:1; 1 Samuel 7:5; 1 Samuel 10:17-25), and the seat of Gedaliah's government (Jeremiah 40:6), cannot be identified with certainty. It has been conjectured that it is now represented by the commanding eminence of Nebi Samwil (Robinson, 2 p. 328; Van de Velde, 2 p. 53),but Stanley (S. and P., 2. p. 213-4) and Grove (Dict. Bib., 2 p. 389) argue in favour of Seopus, and "the survey has done little to throw light on this question" (see Conder, pp. 257-9). It is to be hoped that the "pit," or well, which Asa made (Jeremiah 41:9), probably "to provide Mizpah with a plentiful supply of water in ease of a siege" (Ewald), may yet be brought to light.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then King
וְהַמֶּ֨לֶךְ (wə·ham·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Asa
אָסָ֜א (’ā·sā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 609: Asa -- perhaps 'healer', an Israelite name

made a proclamation
הִשְׁמִ֤יעַ (hiš·mî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

throughout
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Judah,
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

with no
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

exception,
נָקִ֔י (nā·qî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5355: Clean, free from, exempt

and they carried away
וַיִּשְׂא֞וּ (way·yiś·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the stones
אַבְנֵ֤י (’aḇ·nê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 68: A stone

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

and the timbers
עֵצֶ֔יהָ (‘ê·ṣe·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

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

had used for building.
בָּנָ֖ה (bā·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

And with [these materials]
בָּם֙ (bām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

King
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Asa
אָסָ֔א (’ā·sā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 609: Asa -- perhaps 'healer', an Israelite name

built up
וַיִּ֤בֶן (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

Geba
גֶּ֥בַע (ge·ḇa‘)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1387: Geba -- a Levitical city of Benjamin

of Benjamin,
בִּנְיָמִ֖ן (bin·yā·min)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

as well as
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

Mizpah.
הַמִּצְפָּֽה׃ (ham·miṣ·pāh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4709: Mizpah -- the name of several places in Israel

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OT History: 1 Kings 15:22 Then king Asa made a proclamation (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)