Asa's Alliance with Syria
2 Chronicles 16
When Baasa king of Israel builds Rama to blockade Juda, Asa sends treasure from the temple to buy an alliance with the king of Syria rather than trusting the Lord, and is rebuked for this by the prophet Anani. Asa later dies after seeking physicians rather than the Lord during a serious illness in his feet.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonBUT in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Asa, the king of Israel came up against Juda, and began building Rama, in order to stop all outlet and inlet to Asa king of Juda;
BrentonAnd in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Asa, the king of Israel went up against Juda, and built Rama, so as not to allow egress or ingress to Asa king of Juda.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ ὀγδόῳ καὶ τριακοστῷ ἔτει τῆς βασιλείας Ἀσὰ, ἀνέβη βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ ἐπὶ Ἰούδαν, καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε τὴν Ῥαμὰ τοῦ μὴ δοῦναι ἔξοδον καὶ εἴσοδον τῷ Ἀσὰ βασιλεῖ Ἰούδα.
KJVIn the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
JPSIn the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, Baasa king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
2
Thomsonwhereupon Asa took silver and gold, out of the treasuries of the house of the Lord, and the king’s house, and sent to the son of Ader king of Syria, who dwelt at Damascus, saying,
BrentonAnd Asa took silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord, and of the king's house, and sent them to the son of Ader king of Syria, which dwelt in Damascus, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἀσὰ ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον ἐκ θησαυρῶν οἴκου Κυρίου καὶ οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ Ἄδερ βασιλέως Συρίας τὸν κατοικοῦντα ἐν Δαμασκῷ, λέγων,
KJVThen Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
JPSThen Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-hadad king of Aram, that dwelt at Damascus, saying:
3
ThomsonMake a covenant between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father. Behold I have sent thee gold and silver, come and remove from me Baasa king of Israel and let him depart from me.
BrentonMake a covenant between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee gold and silver: come, and turn away from me Baasa king of Israel, and let him depart from me.
Greekδιάθου διαθήκην ἀναμέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ, καὶ ἀναμέσον τοῦ πατρός μου καὶ ἀναμέσον τοῦ πατρός σου· ἰδοὺ ἀπέσταλκά σοι χρυσίον καὶ ἀργύριον· δεῦρο καὶ διασκέδασον ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ τὸν Βαασὰ βασιλέα Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἀπελθέτω ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ.
KJVThere 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.
JPS’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 Baasa king of Israel, that he may depart from me.’
4
ThomsonAccordingly Son Ader hearkened to king Asa and sent generals of his army against the cities of Israel, and smote Aion and Dan and Abelmain, and all the territories adjacent to Nephthaleim.
BrentonAnd the son of Ader hearkened to king Asa, and sent the captains of his host against the cities of Israel; and smote Æon, and Dan, and Abelmain, and all the country round Nephthali.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσεν υἱὸς Ἄδερ τοῦ βασιλέως Ἀσὰ, καὶ ἀπέστειλε τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὰς πόλεις Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐπάταξε τὴν Ἀϊὼν, καὶ τὴν Δὰν, καὶ τὴν Ἀβελμαῒν, καὶ πάσας τὰς περιχώρους Νεφθαλί.
KJVAnd Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
JPSAnd Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali.
5
ThomsonAt the news of this Baasa quitted building, and put a stop to the work.
BrentonAnd it came to pass when Baasa heard it, he left off building Rama, and put a stop to his work:
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἀκοῦσαι Βαασὰ, ἀπέλιπε τοῦ μηκέτι οἰκοδομεῖν τὴν Ῥαμὰ, καὶ κατέπαυσε τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd it came to pass, when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease.
JPSAnd it came to pass, when Baasa heard
6
ThomsonWhereupon king Asa took all Juda, and carried away the stones of Rama and the timber thereof, with which Baasa was building, and with them built Gabae and Maspha.
Brentonthen king Asa took all Juda, and took the stones of Rama, and its timber, with which Baasa had built; and he built with them Gabae and Maspha.
GreekΚαὶ Ἀσὰ βασιλεὺς ἔλαβε πάντα τὸν Ἰούδαν, καὶ ἔλαβε τοὺς λίθους τῆς Ῥαμὰ καὶ τὰ ξύλα αὐτῆς, ἃ ᾠκοδόμησε Βαασὰ, καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐν αὐτοῖς τὴν Γαβαὲ καὶ τὴν Μασφά.
KJVThen Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
JPSThen Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasa had builded; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
7
ThomsonAt that time Anani the prophet, came to Asa king of Juda and said to him, Seeing thou hast put thy trust in the king of Syria, and hast not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore the army of the king of Syria hath escaped out of thy hand.
BrentonAnd at that time came Anani the prophet to Asa king of Juda, and said to him, Because thou didst trust on the king of Syria, and didst not trust on the Lord thy God, therefore the army of Syria is escaped out of thy hand.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ἦλθεν Ἀνανὶ ὁ προφήτης πρὸς Ἀσὰ βασιλέα Ἰούδα, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ἐν τῷ πεποιθέναι σε ἐπὶ βασιλέα Συρίας, καὶ μὴ πεποιθέναι σε ἐπὶ Κύριον Θεόν σου, διὰ τοῦτο ἐσώθη ἡ δύναμις Συρίας ἀπὸ τῆς χειρός σου.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him: ‘Because thou hast relied on the king of Aram, and hast not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Aram escaped out of thy hand.
8
ThomsonWere not the Ethiopeans and the Lybians to be dreaded for their huge army? For their prowess, for their horsemen, for their immense multitude? Yet because thou didst rely on the Lord, He delivered them into thy hand.
BrentonWere not the Ethiopians and Libyans a great force, in courage, in horsemen, in great numbers? and did not He deliver them into thy hands, because thou trustedst in the Lord?
GreekΟὐχ οἱ Αἰθίοπες καὶ Λίβυες ἦσαν εἰς δύναμιν πολλὴν, εἰς θάρσος, εἰς ἱππεῖς, εἰς πλῆθος σφόδρα; καὶ ἐν τῷ πεποιθέναι σε ἐπὶ Κύριον παρέδωκεν εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου;
KJVWere not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.
JPSWere not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, He delivered them into thy hand.
9
ThomsonFor the eyes of the Lord look throughout the whole earth, to strengthen them whose heart is perfect towards Him. In this matter thou hast acted foolishly. Henceforward thou shalt have war.
BrentonFor the eyes of the Lord look upon all the earth, to strengthen every heart that is perfect toward him. In this thou hast done foolishly; henceforth there shall be war with thee.
GreekὍτι οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ Κυρίου ἐπιβλέπουσιν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ, κατισχύσαι ἐν πάσῃ καρδίᾳ πλήρει πρὸς αὐτόν· ἠγνόηκας ἐπὶ τούτῳ, ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ἔσται μετὰ σοῦ πόλεμος.
KJVFor the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
JPSFor the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is whole toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars.’
10
ThomsonUpon this Asa was enraged at the prophet, and committed him to prison. Because this gave offence, Asa proceeded to outrage against the people at the same time.
BrentonAnd Asa was angry with the prophet, and put him in prison, for he was angry at this: and Asa vexed some of the people at that time.
GreekΚαὶ ἐθυμώθη Ἀσὰ τῷ προφήτῃ, καὶ παρέθετο αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν, ὅτι ὠργίσθη ἐπὶ τούτῳ, καὶ ἐλυμῄνατο Ἀσὰ ἐν τῷ λαῷ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ.
KJVThen Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
JPSThen Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in the prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
11
ThomsonNow behold the acts of Asa first and last, are written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.
BrentonAnd, behold, the acts of Asa, the first and the last, are written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.
GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ οἱ λόγοι Ἀσὰ, οἱ πρῶτοι καὶ οἱ ἔσχατοι, γεγραμμένοι ἐν βιβλίῳ βασιλέων Ἰούδα καὶ Ἰσραήλ.
KJVAnd, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
JPSAnd, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12
ThomsonIn the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was diseased in his feet, till he became very sick; but in his sickness he did not apply to the Lord, but to physicians.
BrentonAnd Asa was diseased in his feet in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, until he was very ill: but in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.
GreekΚαὶ ἐμαλακίσθη Ἀσὰ ἐν τῷ ἔτει τῷ ἐννάτῳ καὶ τριακοστῷ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας, ἕως σφόδρα ἐμαλακίσθη· καὶ ἐν τῇ μαλακίᾳ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐζήτησε τὸν Κύριον, ἀλλὰ τοὺς ἰατρούς.
KJVAnd Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
JPSAnd in the thirty and ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great; yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
13
ThomsonAnd Asa slept with his fathers. He died in the fortieth year of his reign,
BrentonAnd Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the fortieth year of his reign.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκοιμήθη Ἀσὰ μετὰ τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐτελεύτησεν ἐν τῷ τεσσαρακοστῷ ἔτει τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
JPSAnd Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.
14
Thomsonand they buried him in the tomb which he had hewn out for himself, in the city of David. And when they had composed him on the bed, they filled it with spices, and all kinds of perfumes prepared by apothecaries, and made a very great funeral procession for him.
BrentonAnd they buried him in the sepulchre which he had dug for himself in the city of David, and they laid him on a bed, and filled it with spices and all kinds of perfumes of the apothecaries; and they made for him a very great funeral.
GreekΚαὶ ἔθαψαν αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ μνήματι, ᾧ ὤρυξεν ἑαυτῷ ἐν πόλει Δαυὶδ, καὶ ἐκοίμισαν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς κλίνης, καὶ ἔπλησαν ἀρωμάτων καὶ γένη μύρων μυρεψῶν, καὶ ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ ἐκφορὰν μεγάλην ἕως σφόδρα.
KJVAnd they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.
JPSAnd they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds [of spices] prepared by the perfumers’art; and they made a very great burning for him.