בַּעְשָׁא (ba.sah)

ba.sah

Baasha

H1201 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 26 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 26 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Baasha, meaning "wicked" or "offensiveness," belongs to the third king of Israel’s northern kingdom and founder of its second dynasty. He seized power by assassinating Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, in 1 Kings 15:27. His reign was marked by ongoing conflict with Judah, particularly against King Asa, as recorded in both 1 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 16.

Scripture presents Baasha’s rule through the lens of divine judgment. The prophet Jehu son of Hanani condemned him for following the evil ways of Jeroboam (1 Kings 16:2-3). This negative assessment is reinforced by later biblical writers who cite Baasha as a prime example of idolatrous leadership, noting that his house would be destroyed just like Jeroboam’s (1 Kings 16:7; 21:22).

The etymology of the name itself serves as a retrospective commentary on his character. Derived from a root meaning "to stink," the name functions less as a personal identifier and more as a theological label. It underscores the biblical theme that kings who lead people away from God leave a spiritual odor that remains long after their death.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Baasha carries a heavy weight in the biblical narrative, literally translating to "wickedness" or "offensiveness." This is not merely a label but a theological commentary on his life as the king who assassinated Nadab and led Israel into deep idolatry. His story reminds us that leadership without reverence for God leads to spiritual decay, leaving a legacy of division rather than blessing.

Yet this history offers comfort to believers today. It shows that no matter how powerful a ruler may seem, they remain subject to divine judgment. When we face leaders who act unjustly or when we feel surrounded by conflict, as King Asa did against Baasha, we can trust that God sees the truth. His sovereignty ensures that evil does not have the final word.

We are invited to look beyond human politics to the enduring faithfulness of God. While Baasha’s house was swept away, God’s covenant with His people remains secure. This encourages us to place our hope not in earthly powers but in the Lord who judges righteously and protects those who seek Him.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 26 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Baasha27×
of/ Baasha1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

בַּעְשָׁ֔א5×
בַּעְשָׁ֥א3×
בַּעְשָׁ֤א3×
בַּעְשָׁ֣א3×
בַּעְשָׁ֑א3×
בַּעְשָׁא֙2×
בַּעְשָׁ֨א2×
בַעְשָׁ֔א2×
לְ/בַעְשָׁא֙1×
בַּעְשָׁ֧א1×
בַּעְשָׁ֖א1×
בַעְשָׁ֛א1×

Key Verses

I Kings 15:27
Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha struck him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel were besieging Gibbethon.

This verse marks the violent origin of Baasha’s reign, showing how he seized power by killing Nadab during a siege.
I Kings 16:3
behold, I will utterly sweep away Baasha and his house; and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Here God pronounces judgment through the prophet Jehu, declaring that Baasha’s house will be completely destroyed because of his evil deeds.
I Kings 15:17
Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

This occurrence highlights Baasha’s political aggression as he builds Ramah to block trade and movement into Judah, escalating conflict with King Asa.
I Kings 21:22
I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation with which you have provoked me to anger, and have made Israel to sin.”

The name is used later as a standard of divine judgment, comparing Ahab’s impending doom to the destruction already visited upon Baasha for provoking God.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Baasha mean?

The name Baasha comes from a Hebrew root meaning "to stink" or "be offensive." In the biblical context, it serves as a retrospective label for his wicked character and idolatrous leadership.

Who was Baasha in the Bible?

Baasha was the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel and the founder of its second dynasty. He ruled from Tirzah for twenty-four years after assassinating King Nadab.

Why was Baasha condemned by God?

The prophet Jehu announced God’s judgment against Baasha because he followed the evil ways of Jeroboam and led Israel into sin. His reign was marked by idolatry and violent political maneuvering.

How does Baasha relate to King Asa?

Baasha and Asa were long-time rivals. Baasha built Ramah to blockade Judah, but Asa eventually bribed the king of Aram to break Baasha’s alliance, forcing him to stop construction.

Every Occurrence (26 verses across 4 books)

I Kings 20 verses

I Kings 15:16

There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

I Kings 15:17

Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to…

I Kings 15:19

“Let there be a treaty between me and you, like that between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent to you a…

I Kings 15:21

When Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and lived in Tirzah.

I Kings 15:22

Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah. No one was exempted. They carried away the stones of Ramah, and its…

I Kings 15:27

Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha struck him at Gibbethon, which…

I Kings 15:28

Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha killed him and reigned in his place.

I Kings 15:32

There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

I Kings 15:33

In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel in Tirzah for…

I Kings 16:1

Yahweh’s word came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,

I Kings 16:3

behold, I will utterly sweep away Baasha and his house; and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son…

I Kings 16:4

The dogs will eat Baasha’s descendants who die in the city; and he who dies of his in the field, the birds of the sky…

I Kings 16:5

Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles…

I Kings 16:6

Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah; and Elah his son reigned in his place.

I Kings 16:7

Moreover Yahweh’s word came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and against his house, both because of…

I Kings 16:8

In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah for two…

I Kings 16:11

When he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, he attacked all the house of Baasha. He didn’t leave him a…

I Kings 16:12

Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha, according to Yahweh’s word which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the…

I Kings 16:13

for all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned and with which they made Israel to sin, to…

I Kings 21:22

I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for…

II Kings 1 verse

II Chronicles 4 verses

Jeremiah 1 verse