1 Kings 16:8
New International Version
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.

New Living Translation
Elah son of Baasha began to rule over Israel in the twenty-sixth year of King Asa’s reign in Judah. He reigned in the city of Tirzah for two years.

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

Berean Standard Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha became king over Israel, and reigned two years in Tirzah.

New American Standard Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha became king over Israel at Tirzah, and reigned for two years.

NASB 1995
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha became king over Israel at Tirzah, and reigned two years.

NASB 1977
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha became king over Israel at Tirzah, and reigned two years.

Legacy Standard Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha became king over Israel at Tirzah, and reigned two years.

Amplified Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha became king over Israel in Tirzah, and reigned two years.

Christian Standard Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Judah’s King Asa, Elah son of Baasha became king over Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Judah’s King Asa, Elah son of Baasha became king over Israel and reigned in Tirzah two years.

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

Contemporary English Version
Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel after Asa had been king of Judah for 25 years, and he ruled from Tirzah for two years.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Elah, son of Baasha, began to rule Israel in Asa's twenty-sixth year as Judah's king. He ruled in Tirzah for two years.

Good News Translation
In the twenty-sixth year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he ruled in Tirzah for two years.

International Standard Version
During the twenty-sixth year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, Baasha's son Elah became king over Israel and reigned at Tirzah for two years.

Majority Standard Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.

NET Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of King Asa's reign over Judah, Baasha's son Elah became king over Israel; he ruled in Tirzah for two years.

New Heart English Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah for two years.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah for two years.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha has reigned over Israel in Tirzah, two years;

Young's Literal Translation
In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah reigned hath Elah son of Baasha over Israel in Tirzah, two years;

Smith's Literal Translation
In the twentieth and sixth year, the year to Asa king of Judah, Elah, son of Baasha reigned over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In the six and twentieth year of Asa king of Juda, Ela the son of Baasa reigned over Israel in Thersa two years.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa, the king of Judah, Elah, the son of Baasha, reigned over Israel, at Tirzah, for two years.

New American Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa, king of Judah, Elah, son of Baasha, became king of Israel in Tirzah for two years.

New Revised Standard Version
In the twenty-sixth year of King Asa of Judah, Elah son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah; he reigned two years.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the twenty and sixth year of Asa, King of Yehuda, Elah, son of Baasha, reigned over Israel in Terzah two years.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasa to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and reigned two years.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Ela son of Baasa reigned over Israel two years in Thersa.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elah Reigns in Israel
8In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years. 9However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him.…

Cross References
1 Kings 15:25-28
In the second year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned two years. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit. / Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon of the Philistines while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city. ...

1 Kings 14:7-11
Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over My people Israel. / I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My eyes. / You have done more evil than all who came before you. You have proceeded to make for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me, and you have flung Me behind your back. ...

1 Kings 15:33-34
In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah twenty-four years. / And Baasha did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.

1 Kings 21:21-22
This is what the LORD says: ‘I will bring calamity on you and consume your descendants; I will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both slave and free. / I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked My anger and caused Israel to sin.’

2 Kings 9:7-10
And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel. / The whole house of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, both slave and free, in Israel. / I will make the house of Ahab like the houses of Jeroboam son of Nebat and Baasha son of Ahijah. ...

2 Kings 10:30-31
Nevertheless, the LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.” / Yet Jehu was not careful to follow the instruction of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

2 Kings 15:8-12
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria six months. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit. / Then Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, struck him down and killed him in front of the people, and reigned in his place. ...

2 Chronicles 21:12-15
Then a letter came to Jehoram from Elijah the prophet, which stated: “This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘You have not walked in the ways of your father Jehoshaphat or of Asa king of Judah, / but you have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and have caused Judah and the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves, just as the house of Ahab prostituted itself. You have also killed your brothers, your father’s family, who were better than you. / So behold, the LORD is about to strike your people, your sons, your wives, and all your possessions with a serious blow. ...

Hosea 1:4
Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.

Amos 7:9
The high places of Isaac will be deserted, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste; and I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with My sword.”

Matthew 1:8-9
Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah. / Uzziah was the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Luke 11:51
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

Romans 11:3-4
“Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”? / And what was the divine reply to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”


Treasury of Scripture

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.

A.

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1 Kings 16
1. Jehu's prophecy against Baasha
5. Elah succeeds him
8. Zimri, conspiring against Elah, succeeds him
11. Zimri executes Jehu's prophecy
15. Omri, made king by the soldiers, forces Zimri desperately to burn himself
21. The kingdom being divided, Omri prevails against Tibni
23. Omri builds Samaria
25. His wicked reign
27. Ahab succeeds him
29. Ahab's most wicked reign
34. Joshua's curse upon Hiel the builder of Jericho














In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah
This phrase situates the events within a specific historical context, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Asa was a king of Judah known for his religious reforms and efforts to rid the land of idolatry. The mention of Asa's reign provides a chronological anchor, highlighting the divided nature of the Israelite kingdom during this period. Historically, this division followed the reign of Solomon, leading to two separate kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The reference to Asa's reign underscores the ongoing narrative of the kings of Judah, who were often compared to their northern counterparts in terms of faithfulness to God.

Elah son of Baasha
Elah's identity as the son of Baasha connects him to the previous king of Israel, indicating a dynastic succession. Baasha had come to power by overthrowing the previous king, Nadab, and establishing his own line. The name "Elah" in Hebrew can mean "oak" or "terebinth," symbolizing strength or endurance, though his reign would prove otherwise. The mention of his father, Baasha, serves as a reminder of the turbulent and often violent transitions of power in the northern kingdom, where dynastic stability was rare.

became king of Israel
This phrase marks the beginning of Elah's reign over the northern kingdom. The kingdom of Israel, distinct from Judah, was often characterized by political instability and idolatry, as reflected in the biblical narrative. The term "Israel" here refers to the ten tribes that broke away from the Davidic line after Solomon's reign. Elah's ascension to the throne is part of the larger narrative of the kings of Israel, many of whom led the people away from the worship of Yahweh.

and he reigned in Tirzah
Tirzah was an important city in the northern kingdom and served as the capital before Samaria was established by Omri. Archaeological evidence suggests that Tirzah was a significant administrative and military center during this period. The choice of Tirzah as the royal seat reflects the political and strategic considerations of the time. The city's mention highlights the transient nature of power and the shifting centers of authority in ancient Israel.

two years
Elah's brief reign of two years is indicative of the instability and frequent regime changes in the northern kingdom. This short duration suggests a lack of strong leadership and foreshadows the violent end of his rule, as recorded later in the chapter. The brevity of his reign contrasts with the longer, more stable reigns of some of the kings of Judah, emphasizing the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. This serves as a reminder of the biblical theme that faithfulness to God is linked to stability and blessing.

Verse 8. - In the twenty and sixth year of Asa, king of Judah, began Elah, son of Baasha, to reign over Israel, two years [cf. ch. 15. and see note on 1 Kings 15:28].

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In the twenty-sixth
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים (‘eś·rîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth

year
בִּשְׁנַ֨ת (biš·naṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8141: A year

of Asa's
לְאָסָ֖א (lə·’ā·sā)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 609: Asa -- perhaps 'healer', an Israelite name

reign
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

over Judah,
יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

Elah
אֵלָ֨ה (’ê·lāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 425: Elah -- 'terebinth', an Israelite name, also an Edomite name

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Baasha
בַּעְשָׁ֧א (ba‘·šā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1201: Baasha -- a king of Israel

became king
מָ֠לַךְ (mā·laḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and he reigned in Tirzah
בְּתִרְצָ֖ה (bə·ṯir·ṣāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8656: Tirzah -- daughter of Zelophehad, also a Canaanite city

two years.
שָׁנָ֔ה (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year


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OT History: 1 Kings 16:8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 16:7
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