ContradictionsReading order 174Bible context 2 min read
When did Baasha die?
Baasha is reported dead before Asa's twenty-sixth year ends, yet appears leading a campaign in Asa's thirty-sixth year.
- Textual conflict
- Direct contradiction
- The quoted passages make incompatible claims about the same subject under the same conditions. Little additional inference is needed.
- Importance
- Minor
- A local detail in a story, chronology, or inventory.
Baasha leads a campaign in Asa's thirty sixth year despite death and succession no later than Asa's twenty sixth year.
An editorial assessment of the quoted passages. Importance describes the stakes; it does not increase certainty. Reading order weighs both.
Baasha dies before Elah's accession in Asa's twenty-sixth year
So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead. 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. 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 16:6-8
Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)
Read the full chapter:1 Kings 16
Baasha attacks Judah in Asa's thirty-sixth year
In 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.