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 15:33KJV
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1 Kings 15:33 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 15:33 mean?

1 Kings 15:33 states that Baasha, the son of Ahijah, began to rule over all Israel in the third year of Asa’s reign as king of Judah, and that Baasha reigned in Tirzah for twenty-four years. This verse marks the start of Baasha’s kingship and sets it in relation to the timeline of Judah’s king, Asa.

The verse is part of a historical record in the book of 1 Kings, which tracks the rulers of Israel and Judah. The writer is giving a chronological anchor by connecting Baasha’s rise to power with Asa’s third year as king. Tirzah, mentioned here, was the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel at that time, and the verse highlights the length and location of Baasha’s reign.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 15:33

  • תִּרְצָה (Tirzah, transliterated "Tirzah") refers to the city that served as the capital of Israel during Baasha’s reign. Knowing this helps clarify why the city is mentioned—it was the political center at the time.
  • מָלַךְ (malakh, “reign”) is the verb used for ruling as king. This word emphasizes Baasha’s official authority over all Israel, not just a part of it.

Why 1 Kings 15:33 matters

  • The verse helps readers keep track of the overlapping reigns of Israel’s and Judah’s kings, which can otherwise be confusing in the narrative.
  • By naming Tirzah as the capital, the verse shows a shift in Israel’s political centers before Samaria became the capital later on.
  • The length of Baasha’s reign (twenty-four years) signals a period of relative stability compared to some of Israel’s other kings, which is important for understanding the broader history.

Where else these words appear

“Tirzah” Hebrew H8656 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 26:33 And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
  • 1 Kings 14:17 And Jeroboam's wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah: and when she came to the threshold of the door, the child died;
  • 1 Kings 16:15 In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.

“Ahijah” Hebrew H281 · used in 23 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
  • 1 Kings 14:4 And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.
  • 2 Kings 9:9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:

“Baasha” Hebrew H1201 · used in 26 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:16 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
  • 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
  • 1 Kings 16:12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,

“Asa” Hebrew H609 · used in 52 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:8 And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 16:15 In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.