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Contemporary English Version

1 Kings 15:22

Asa ordered everyone in Judah to carry away the stones and wood Baasha had used to strengthen the town of Ramah. Then he used these same stones and wood to fortify the town of Geba in the territory of Benjamin and the town of Mizpah.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Asa;   Baasha;   Geba;   Israel, Prophecies Concerning;   Mizpah;   Ramah;   Thompson Chain Reference - Mizpah;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Kings;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ben-Hadad;   Geba;   Mizpah or Mizpeh;   Ramah;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Artaxerxes;   Baasha;   Ben-hadad;   Mizpah;   Syria;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Geba;   Rama;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Geba;   Ishmael;   Kings, the Books of;   Mizpah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Damascus;   Geba;   Ijon;   Kings, 1 and 2;   Ramah;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Geba;   Mizpah, Mizpeh;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Baasha ;   Geba ;   Mizpah, Mizpeh ;   Ramah ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Baasha;   Geba;   Mizpah;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ma'achah;   Miz'pah;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Mizpah;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Israel;   Kingdom of Judah;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Asa;   Geba;   Judah, Territory of;   Mizpah;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Asa;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Gibeah;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Then King Asa gave a command to everyone without exception in Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had built it with. Then King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah with them.
Hebrew Names Version
Then king Asa made a proclamation to all Yehudah; none was exempted: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber of it, with which Ba`sha had built; and king Asa built therewith Geva of Binyamin, and Mitzpah.
King James Version
Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
English Standard Version
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah, none was exempt, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Baasha had been building, and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
New Century Version
Then King Asa gave an order to all the people of Judah; everyone had to help. They carried away all the stones and wood Baasha had been using in Ramah, and they used them to build up Geba and Mizpah in the land of Benjamin.
New English Translation
King Asa ordered all the men of Judah (no exemptions were granted) to carry away the stones and wood that Baasha had used to build Ramah. King Asa used the materials to build up Geba (in Benjamin) and Mizpah.
Amplified Bible
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah—none was exempt—and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had built [the fortifications]. And King Asa built with them [border fortresses at] Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
New American Standard Bible
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had built fortifications. And King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then king Asa assembled al Iudah, none excepted. and they tooke the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had buylt, & King Asa built with them Geba of Beniamin and Mizpah.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then King Asa caused an announcement to be heard throughout all Judah—none was exempt—and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building. And King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
Complete Jewish Bible
King Asa then issued a proclamation requiring every man in Y'hudah, with no exception, to come and carry off the stones and timber Ba‘sha had used to fortify Ramah. With them King Asa fortified Geva of Binyamin and Mitzpah.
Darby Translation
And king Asa called together all Judah: none was exempted; and they carried away the stones and the timber from Ramah, with which Baasha had been building; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
Easy-to-Read Version
Then King Asa gave an order to all the men in Judah. Everyone had to help. They had to go to Ramah and carry out all the stone and wood that Baasha was using to build up the city. They carried the material to Geba in Benjamin and to Mizpah and used it to strengthen those two cities.
George Lamsa Translation
Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted; and they carried away the stones of Ramtha and its timber with which Baasha had built it; and King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpeh.
Good News Translation
Then King Asa sent out an order throughout all of Judah requiring everyone, without exception, to help carry away from Ramah the stones and timber that Baasha had been using to fortify it. With this material Asa fortified Mizpah and Geba, a city in the territory of Benjamin.
Lexham English Bible
Then King Asa proclaimed among all of Israel that there was no one free from obligation, so they carried the stones of Ramah and its wood with which Baasha had built, and King Asa rebuilt Geba in Benjamin with them, and the Mizpah.
Literal Translation
And King Asa proclaimed to all Judah (no one was exempt) and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and its timber with which Baasha had built. And King Asa built with it Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Kynge Asa caused it be proclamed in all Iuda: Here be no man excepte. And they toke awaye the stones and tymber from Rama, wherwith Baesa had buylded. And kynge Asa buylded Geba Ben Iamin & Mispa therwith.
American Standard Version
Then king Asa made a proclamation unto all Judah; none was exempted: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
Bible in Basic English
Then King Asa got all Judah together, making every man come; and they took away the stones and the wood with which Baasha was building Ramah, and King Asa made use of them for building Geba in the land of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Iuda, that none should be excused: And so they toke the stones of Ramah and the tymber wherewith Baasa had builded, and king Asa built with them the hill of Beniamin and Mispah.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then king Asa made a proclamation unto all Judah; none was exempted; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasa had builded; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
King James Version (1611)
Then king Asa made a Proclamation throughout all Iudah, (none was exempted:) and they tooke away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof wherewith Baasha had builded, and king Asa built with them Geba of Beniamin, and Mizpah.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And king Asa charged all Juda without exception: and they take up the stones of Rama and its timbers with which Baasa was building; and king Asa built with them upon the whole hill of Benjamin, and the watch-tower.
English Revised Version
Then king Asa made a proclamation unto all Judah; none was exempted: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
Berean Standard Bible
Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah, with no exception, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials King Asa built up Geba of Benjamin, as well as Mizpah.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe kyng Asa sente message in to al Juda, and seide, No man be excusid. And thei token the stoonys of Rama, and the trees therof, bi whiche Baasa hadde bildid; and kyng Asa bildide of the same `stoonys and trees Gabaa of Beniamyn, and Maspha.
Young's Literal Translation
And king Asa hath summoned all Judah -- there is none exempt -- and they lift up the stones of Ramah, and its wood, that Baasha hath built, and king Asa buildeth with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
Update Bible Version
Then king Asa made a proclamation to all Judah; none was exempted: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, with which Baasha had built; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none [was] exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and its timber, with which Baasha had built it; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
World English Bible
Then king Asa made a proclamation to all Judah; none was exempted: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber of it, with which Baasha had built; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
New King James Version
Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted. And they took away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
New Living Translation
Then King Asa sent an order throughout Judah, requiring that everyone, without exception, help to carry away the building stones and timbers that Baasha had been using to fortify Ramah. Asa used these materials to fortify the town of Geba in Benjamin and the town of Mizpah.
New Life Bible
Then King Asa made the news known to all Judah. There was no one who did not hear it. They carried away the stones of Ramah and its pieces of wood with which Baasha had built. And King Asa used them to build Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
New Revised Standard
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah, none was exempt: they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Baasha had been building; with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, King Asa, published it unto all Judah, none was exempted, so they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the beams thereof, wherewith Baasha had built, - and King Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But king Asa sent word into all Juda, saying: Let no man be excused: and they took away the stones from Rama, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasa had been building, and with them king Asa built Gabaa of Benjamin, and Maspha.
Revised Standard Version
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah, none was exempt, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Ba'asha had been building; and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
THE MESSAGE
Then King Asa issued orders to everyone in Judah—no exemptions—to haul away the logs and stones Baasha had used in the fortification of Ramah and use them to fortify Geba in Benjamin and Mizpah.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah—none was exempt—and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had built. And King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

Contextual Overview

9 Asa became king of Judah in the twentieth year of Jeroboam's rule in Israel, 10 and he ruled forty-one years from Jerusalem. His grandmother was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom. 11 Asa obeyed the Lord , as David had done. 12 He forced the prostitutes at the shrines to leave the country, and he got rid of the idols his ancestors had made. 13 His own grandmother Maacah had made an idol of Asherah, and Asa took it and burned it in Kidron Valley. Then he removed Maacah from her position as queen mother. 14 As long as Asa lived, he was completely faithful to the Lord , even though he did not destroy the local shrines. 15 He placed in the temple all the silver and gold objects that he and his father had dedicated to the Lord . 16 Asa was always at war with King Baasha of Israel. 17 One time, Baasha invaded Judah and captured the town of Ramah. He started making the town stronger, so he could put troops there to stop people from going in and out of Judah. 18 When Asa heard about this, he took the silver and gold from his palace and from the Lord 's temple. He gave it to some of his officials and sent them to Damascus with this message for King Benhadad of Syria:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

made a proclamation: 2 Chronicles 16:6

exempted: Heb. free

Geba: Joshua 18:24, Gaba, Joshua 21:17

Mizpah: Joshua 18:26, 1 Samuel 7:5, Mizpeh, Jeremiah 40:6, Jeremiah 40:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:49 - Mizpah Joshua 11:3 - land 2 Kings 23:8 - Geba Zechariah 14:10 - from Geba

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah,.... Summoned men of all sorts, ranks, and degrees:

(none was exempted;) the Jews z say, not so much as a newly married man, whom the law excused from war the first year, nor the disciples of the wise men:

and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; or fortified the place; these; the men of Judah, whom Asa summoned, carried off:

and King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah; which were both in the tribe of Benjamin, and which he fortified, Joshua 18:24.

z Jarchi & Kimchi in loc.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Geba, situated opposite to Michmash 1 Samuel 14:5, is almost certainly “Jeba,” which stands picturesquely on the top of its steep terraced hill on the very edge of the “Wady Suweinit.” Its position was thus exceedingly strong; and, as it lay further north than Ramah, Asa may have considered that to fortify and garrison it would be a better protection to his northern frontier than fortifying Ramah.

For Mizpah see the marginal reference From Jeremiah 41:9 we learn that Asa, besides fortifying the place, sank a deep well there to secure his garrison from want of water if the town should be besieged.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Kings 15:22. None was exempted — Every man was obliged to go and help to dismantle the fortress at Ramah which Baasha had built. This was a general levee en masse of the people: every one was obliged to lend a helping hand, as the state was then supposed to be in danger, and all exemptions necessarily ceased. This is a maxim of civil policy, Ubi adversus hostem muniendi sent limites, omnis immunitas cessat: "Where the boundaries are to be fortified against an enemy, then all exemptions cease."


 
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