Baasha

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Baʿashāʾ (בַּעְשָׁא), often explained as “offensive/evil,” a name form of uncertain nuance.
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom
• Main References: 1 Kings 15:27–16:14; 2 Chronicles 16:1–6
• Key Connections: Son of Ahijah (of Issachar); overthrew Nadab son of Jeroboam; confronted by the prophet Jehu son of Hanani; opposed Asa king of Judah.

Who was Baasha?

Baasha was a king of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) who came to power by assassinating Nadab and ending the house of Jeroboam.
He reigned from Tirzah and is remembered for continued royal instability and conflict with Judah.
His rule is evaluated in Kings as perpetuating Jeroboam’s cultic policy that shaped Israel’s covenant life.
A prophetic word announced judgment on Baasha’s dynasty, which was later wiped out.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Led a coup at Gibbethon, killed Nadab, and exterminated Jeroboam’s house in fulfillment of earlier judgment (1 Kings 15:27–30).
• Event 2: Fortified Ramah to restrict Judah’s movement; Asa countered by buying Aram’s help and dismantling Ramah’s materials (1 Kings 15:16–22; 2 Chronicles 16:1–6).
• Event 3: Received Jehu’s oracle condemning his dynasty; Baasha’s house was later destroyed by Zimri (1 Kings 16:1–4, 11–13).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Baasha’s reign illustrates how political success in Israel’s Divided Kingdom could still stand under prophetic scrutiny regarding covenantal fidelity.

Key Verse

“And the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,” — 1 Kings 16:1, ESV