And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.

1 KINGS 16:11KJV
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1 Kings 16:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 16:11 mean?

1 Kings 16:11 describes how, as soon as Zimri became king and took the throne, he killed every male in the family of Baasha, leaving no male relatives or close associates alive. The verse emphasizes the complete destruction of Baasha’s household and those connected to him.

This event takes place during a time of political upheaval in Israel. Zimri, a military commander, has just seized power by assassinating King Elah, Baasha’s son. To secure his rule and prevent any rivals from Baasha’s family or allies from challenging him, Zimri wipes out everyone who might have a claim to the throne or could seek revenge.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 16:11

  • "slew" (נָכָה, nākhāh): This word often means to strike down or kill, and it is used here to show the deliberate and violent nature of Zimri’s actions.
  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): In this context, "house" refers not just to a building but to the entire family line or dynasty of Baasha.
  • "pisseth" (מַשְׁתִּין, mashtin) "against a wall" (בְּקִיר, b’qir): This phrase is a Hebrew idiom meaning every male, highlighting that no male descendant or relative was spared.
  • "kinsfolks" (גָּאַל, ga’al): This word can mean a close relative or redeemer, showing that even extended family members were targeted.
  • "friends" (רֵעַ, rēa’): This term means companions or close associates, indicating that Zimri’s purge included not just family but also loyal supporters of Baasha.

Why 1 Kings 16:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Zimri’s actions were not limited to immediate family but extended to all male relatives and allies, showing the thoroughness of his purge.
  • The use of the idiom "pisseth against a wall" can be confusing; understanding it as a reference to all males helps clear up any misunderstanding about who was killed.
  • The verse connects to the wider theme in 1 Kings of violent power struggles and the instability of Israel’s monarchy during this period, highlighting how new rulers often eliminated all potential threats to their reign.

Where else these words appear

“pisseth” Hebrew H8366 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Samuel 25:22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
  • 1 Samuel 25:34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
  • 1 Kings 21:21 Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,

“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 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 16:12 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,

“wall” Hebrew H7023 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • Ezekiel 8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.

“kinsfolks” Hebrew H1350 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 48:16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
  • Joshua 20:3 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
  • Isaiah 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.