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.

1 KINGS 16:7KJV
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1 Kings 16:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 16:7 mean?

1 Kings 16:7 explains why the LORD’s message through Jehu condemned King Baasha and his family. Baasha had followed the evil example of Jeroboam’s royal house, and he had also killed Jeroboam’s family.

The phrase “by the hand of the prophet Jehu” presents Jehu as the messenger who delivered the LORD’s word. “The work of his hands” points to what Baasha had done as king, especially his continuation of Jeroboam’s practices.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 16:7

  • “hand” — יָד (yad): The word commonly means a hand, but it can also express agency. Here, “by the hand of” means that the message came through Jehu.
  • “house” — בַּיִת (bayit): The word can mean a building or a family. In this verse, Baasha’s “house” refers to his family and royal line, not his palace.
  • “killed” — נָכָה (nakah): The word can mean to strike or attack, and in some settings to kill. Here, it describes Baasha’s destruction of Jeroboam’s house.

Why 1 Kings 16:7 matters

  • Baasha’s attack on Jeroboam’s family did not make Baasha’s own rule acceptable. The verse compares Baasha’s actions to those of “the house of Jeroboam,” whose sins included leading Israel into the worship of golden calves (1 Kings 12:28–30).
  • The final “him” is often understood to refer to Jeroboam’s house as a whole. Earlier, 1 Kings 15:29 says Baasha destroyed Jeroboam’s family after taking the throne.
  • The message reaches beyond Baasha personally. The words “against his house” help explain why the account goes on to describe the destruction of Baasha’s family.

Where else these words appear

“Hanani” Hebrew H2607 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
  • 2 Chronicles 16:7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
  • Ezra 10:20 And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.

“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,

“anger” Hebrew H3707 · used in 53 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:25 When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:
  • 2 Kings 17:11 And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:
  • Ecclesiastes 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

“Jehu” Hebrew H3058 · used in 54 verses

  • 1 Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
  • 2 Kings 9:24 And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.
  • 2 Kings 10:31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.