People of the Bible

Baasha, son of Ahijah

The name Baasha means “he that seeks, or lays waste.” Baasha is mentioned in 26 verses of the Bible, first in 1 Kings 15:16.

Family of Baasha

Father

Children

Who was Baasha?

Bravery, the third king of the separate kingdom of Israel, and founder of its second dynasty (1 Kings 15; 16; 2 Chr. 16:1-6). He was the son of Ahijah of the tribe of Issachar. The city of Tirzah he made the capital of his kingdom, and there he was buried, after an eventful reign of twenty-four years (1 Kings 15:33). On account of his idolatries his family was exterminated, according to the word of the prophet Jehu (1 Kings 16:3, 4, 10-13).

Biography adapted from Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain, linked via Theographic Bible Metadata.

Key verses about Baasha

  • 1 Kings 15:16

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

  • 1 Kings 15:21

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

  • 1 Kings 15:33

    In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.

  • 1 Kings 16:4

    Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.

  • 1 Kings 16:6

    So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.

  • 1 Kings 16:7

    And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the Lord against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.

Timeline of Baasha's life

DateEvent
952 BCReign of Baasha
All 26 verses mentioning Baasha