There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

2 CHRONICLES 16:3KJV
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2 Chronicles 16:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 16:3 mean?

2 Chronicles 16:3 records King Asa of Judah sending a message to Ben-hadad, king of Syria, asking him to break his treaty with Baasha, king of Israel, in exchange for silver and gold. Asa wants Ben-hadad to turn against Israel so that Baasha will stop threatening Judah.

In this verse, Asa is appealing to an old alliance between their fathers and offering payment to secure Ben-hadad’s help. The situation is tense: Baasha, king of Israel, is building up defenses against Judah, and Asa is trying to use diplomacy and wealth to shift the balance of power by persuading Syria to abandon Israel and support Judah instead.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 16:3

  • "league" (בְּרִית, berit): This word means a formal agreement or covenant. Asa refers to both a past and a present "league," highlighting the importance of official alliances in ancient politics.
  • "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach): The word used for "sent" emphasizes Asa’s deliberate action in sending valuable gifts to influence Ben-hadad’s decision.
  • "silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph) and "gold" (זָהָב, zahav): These words point to the actual treasures Asa sends, showing the seriousness of his offer and the material nature of ancient diplomacy.
  • "break" (פָּרַר, parar): This verb means to annul or dissolve an agreement. Asa is asking Ben-hadad to actively end his treaty with Baasha, not just ignore it.

Why 2 Chronicles 16:3 matters

  • This verse shows how ancient kings used political alliances and wealth to influence international relations, rather than relying only on military force.
  • The mention of past alliances ("as there was between my father and thy father") reveals how history and tradition shaped decisions and expectations among neighboring kingdoms.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the larger story in 2 Chronicles 16, where Asa’s reliance on foreign help instead of trusting God becomes a key theme in the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“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 16:11 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.

“break” Hebrew H6565 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
  • Ezra 9:14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
  • Isaiah 33:8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.