Boy Old Testament Known
Baasha
he that seeks, or lays waste
בַּעְשָׁא ba.sah
Baasha (Hebrew: בַּעְשָׁא, ba.sah) means “he that seeks, or lays waste”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 26 verses across 4 books of the Bible. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Ahijah in 1 Kings 15.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Baasha
son of Ahijah; father of Elah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 26 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Kings 15:16 |
| Last appears | Jeremiah 41:9 |
| Cross-references | 279 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ahijah co-occurrence Appears with Ahijah in 1 Kings 15.
- Elah co-occurrence Appears with Elah in 1 Kings 16.
- Asa co-occurrence Appears with Asa in 1 Kings 15.
- Jehu co-occurrence Appears with Jehu in 1 Kings 16.
- Hanani co-occurrence Appears with Hanani in 1 Kings 16.
- Nebat co-occurrence Appears with Nebat in 2 Kings 9.
- Nadab co-occurrence Appears with Nadab in 1 Kings 15.
- Zimri co-occurrence Appears with Zimri in 1 Kings 16.
Origin & meaning
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
Baasha, son of Ahijah, became king of Israel and reigned for 24 years.
The biblical story
Baasha was the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel, ruling for 24 years (1Ki.15.33). He came to power by assassinating Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, and then proceeded to kill off all of Jeroboam's family (1Ki.15.27-29). Despite this, Baasha continued in the sinful ways of Jeroboam (1Ki.15.34). He engaged in warfare with Asa, king of Judah, who bribed Ben-hadad of Syria to attack Israel (1Ki.15.16-22; 2Ch.16.1-6). The prophet Jehu pronounced judgment on Baasha's dynasty, predicting its downfall (1Ki.16.1-4). After Baasha's death, his son Elah became king (1Ki.16.6). Years later, Baasha's sins were remembered alongside those of other wicked kings (1Ki.21.22; 2Ki.9.9). Jer.41.9 mentions a pit made by Baasha during his war with Asa, which was later used to dispose of bodies.
Key verses
Baasha appears in 26 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
1 Kings 15:16 -
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
1 Kings 15:17 -
There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
1 Kings 15:19 -
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
1 Kings 15:21 -
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.
1 Kings 15:22
Show all 26 references
1 Kings (20)
- 1 Kings 15:16
- 1 Kings 15:17
- 1 Kings 15:19
- 1 Kings 15:21
- 1 Kings 15:22
- 1 Kings 15:27
- 1 Kings 15:28
- 1 Kings 15:32
- 1 Kings 15:33
- 1 Kings 16:1
- 1 Kings 16:3
- 1 Kings 16:4
- 1 Kings 16:5
- 1 Kings 16:6
- 1 Kings 16:7
- 1 Kings 16:8
- 1 Kings 16:11
- 1 Kings 16:12
- 1 Kings 16:13
- 1 Kings 21:22
2 Kings (1)
- 2 Kings 9:9
2 Chronicles (4)
- 2 Chronicles 16:1
- 2 Chronicles 16:3
- 2 Chronicles 16:5
- 2 Chronicles 16:6
Jeremiah (1)
- Jeremiah 41:9