In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.

1 KINGS 16:8KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 16:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 16:8 mean?

1 Kings 16:8 states that in the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign as king of Judah, Elah, the son of Baasha, began to rule over Israel from the city of Tirzah, and his reign lasted for two years. This verse marks the beginning of Elah’s short rule over the northern kingdom of Israel, setting the timeline in relation to Asa’s reign in Judah.

The book of 1 Kings is recording the sequence of kings in Israel and Judah. The writer is giving a historical account, noting when Elah became king by referencing Asa’s reign in Judah, which helps readers follow the timeline. The mention of Tirzah as the capital shows where the northern kings ruled at this point in Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 16:8

  • עֵלָה (Elah): This is the name of the new king of Israel, the son of Baasha. Knowing his father’s name helps track the royal line and the political shifts happening in Israel.
  • תִּרְצָה (Tirzah): This city was the capital of Israel at the time. Mentioning Tirzah highlights the shifting centers of power in Israel’s history.
  • שָׁנָה (shanah): This word for "year" appears both for the twenty-sixth year of Asa and the two years of Elah’s reign, anchoring the events in a specific historical timeframe.

Why 1 Kings 16:8 matters

  • This verse helps readers keep track of the overlapping reigns of Israel’s and Judah’s kings, which can be confusing without these chronological markers.
  • By mentioning Elah’s short two-year reign, the verse hints at instability and frequent changes in Israel’s leadership during this period.
  • The reference to Tirzah as the capital shows that Israel’s political center was not always in Samaria (which would come later), giving insight into the development of Israel’s monarchy.

Where else these words appear

“Elah” Hebrew H425 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 36:41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
  • 1 Kings 16:6 So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 18:1 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

“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.

“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,

“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.