1 Kings 16:3

KJV

Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I will take away {H1197} the posterity {H310} of Baasha {H1201}, and the posterity {H310} of his house {H1004}; and will make {H5414} thy house {H1004} like the house {H1004} of Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Nebat {H5028}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore I will sweep away Ba'sha and his house completely; I will make your house like the house of Yarov'am the son of N'vat.

Berean Standard Bible

So now I will consume Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat:

American Standard Version

behold, I will utterly sweep away Baasha and his house; and I will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse, spoken by the prophet Jehu, delivers a potent divine judgment against King Baasha of Israel, declaring the complete eradication of his royal lineage. The pronouncement explicitly states that Baasha's house will suffer the same devastating fate as that of Jeroboam, the previous king of the Northern Kingdom whose dynasty was annihilated due to his persistent idolatry and leading Israel into sin. This serves as a stark reminder of God's unwavering justice and the severe consequences of rebellion, even when one is aware of prior divine retributions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This prophetic oracle from Jehu, son of Hanani, to King Baasha (1 Kings 16:1-4) marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the divided kingdom. It immediately follows the account of Baasha's ascension to the throne, where he assassinated Nadab, son of Jeroboam, and subsequently wiped out Jeroboam's entire household, fulfilling the prophecy against Jeroboam's sin ([1 Kings 15:29](/1_kings/15-29 "1 Kings 15:29 - Baasha's Coup and Fulfillment of Prophecy")). Despite witnessing God's judgment firsthand and even being an instrument in its fulfillment, Baasha himself "walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin" ([1 Kings 16:2](/1_kings/16-2 "1 Kings 16:2 - Baasha's Continued Sin")). This verse, therefore, is God's direct response to Baasha's continued apostasy, setting the stage for the swift and brutal fulfillment of this new judgment, as recorded just a few verses later with Zimri's conspiracy ([1 Kings 16:8-12](/1_kings/16-8 "1 Kings 16:8-12 - Fulfillment of Judgment on Baasha's House")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Northern Kingdom of Israel was characterized by political instability, frequent coups, and a recurring cycle of idolatry and divine judgment. Kings often seized power through violence, only to perpetuate the very sins that brought down their predecessors. The "sin of Jeroboam"—the establishment of golden calves at Dan and Bethel and an unauthorized priesthood ([1 Kings 12:28-33](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-33 - Jeroboam's Idolatry"))—became the defining apostasy for subsequent Northern kings. The complete eradication of a royal house, including all male descendants, was a common and devastating form of judgment in the ancient Near East, designed to prevent any future claim to the throne and to erase the condemned dynasty's memory and influence. This practice, while brutal, served as a stark public demonstration of divine justice and the consequences of violating covenant obligations.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes highlighted by this verse include **Divine Justice and Retribution**, underscoring God's unwavering commitment to hold leaders accountable for their actions, especially when they lead His people into idolatry and rebellion. It powerfully illustrates the **Consequences of Persistent Sin**, demonstrating that even after witnessing the downfall of others due to disobedience, choosing to continue in the same path inevitably invites severe divine wrath. The phrase "like the house of Jeroboam" establishes **The Sin of Jeroboam as a Benchmark** for wickedness and the standard for divine judgment in the Northern Kingdom. Finally, the pronouncement through the prophet Jehu emphasizes the **Certainty of God's Prophetic Word**, assuring that what God declares will surely come to pass, often with precise and swift fulfillment, as seen in the subsequent events of [1 Kings 16](/1_kings/16 "1 Kings 16 - The Reigns of Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Posterity (Hebrew, זֶרַע, _zera'_):** This term literally means "seed" or "offspring," but in this context, it refers to the entire lineage or descendants, particularly the male heirs who would carry on the family name and succession. The emphasis on "posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house" underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment: not merely Baasha's immediate children, but his entire dynastic line would be utterly cut off, preventing any future claim to the throne and ensuring the complete end of his royal legacy.
* **Take away (Hebrew, בָּעַר, _ba'ar_):** The Hebrew verb here conveys a strong sense of consumption, sweeping away, or utter removal, often implying destruction by fire or complete eradication. It is a powerful word indicating a definitive and destructive act of divine judgment, leaving nothing remaining of the condemned lineage. This is not a gradual decline but a swift, decisive, and annihilating act of God's wrath.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house;":** This opening declaration is a direct, authoritative divine judgment, introduced by the attention-grabbing "Behold." The use of the first-person pronoun "I" emphasizes God's personal initiative and sovereignty in executing this judgment. The repetition of "posterity" (or "descendants") underscores the totality of the impending destruction. It signifies not just the end of Baasha's reign, but the complete eradication of his family line, ensuring no male heir would survive to continue his dynasty. This was a common and devastating form of judgment in ancient monarchies, designed to erase the very memory and influence of the condemned ruler.
* **"and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.":** This clause provides the specific template for Baasha's judgment, serving as a powerful and ominous comparison. Jeroboam's house had been utterly destroyed due to his leading Israel into idolatry with the golden calves ([1 Kings 14:10-11](/1_kings/14-10 "1 Kings 14:10-11 - Judgment on Jeroboam's House")). By explicitly comparing Baasha's fate to Jeroboam's, God emphasizes the consistent nature of His justice and the severe consequences of persistent rebellion and idolatry in the Northern Kingdom. Baasha, despite witnessing Jeroboam's downfall and even participating in its fulfillment, had replicated his sins, thus incurring the same divine retribution. This comparison highlights a recurring pattern of judgment for unfaithful kings in Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. It functions as a **Prophetic Oracle**, signaled by the direct divine declaration "Behold, I will take away..." which lends it absolute authority and certainty. A prominent device is **Simile** (or Analogy), found in the phrase "like the house of Jeroboam," which draws a direct comparison to a well-known historical precedent of divine judgment, instantly conveying the severity and comprehensive nature of Baasha's impending doom. This simile also contributes to the theme of **Repetition** in the broader narrative, as God's judgment follows a discernible pattern for those who lead His people astray. Furthermore, the repetition of "posterity... and the posterity of his house" serves as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the absolute and complete eradication of Baasha's lineage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His absolute sovereignty over human history, particularly in the realm of kingship and national leadership. It demonstrates that God holds leaders to a higher standard, and their spiritual choices have profound consequences for themselves and the people they govern. The judgment on Baasha, mirroring that of Jeroboam, reveals a consistent divine pattern: persistent idolatry and leading God's people into sin will inevitably result in severe retribution, often involving the complete eradication of the offending dynasty. This reinforces the theological truth that God's covenant with Israel included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, and He remains faithful to His word, whether in promise or warning. The "sin of Jeroboam" became a tragic benchmark for apostasy in the Northern Kingdom, illustrating the cumulative nature of sin and the ultimate futility of establishing a kingdom apart from God's righteous standards.

* [1 Kings 14:10-11](/1_kings/14-10 "1 Kings 14:10-11 - Judgment on Jeroboam's House")
* [1 Kings 16:11-12](/1_kings/16-11 "1 Kings 16:11-12 - Fulfillment of Baasha's Judgment")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage serves as a timeless and sobering warning about the nature of leadership, the gravity of spiritual rebellion, and the certainty of divine justice. For believers today, it highlights the profound accountability that comes with any position of influence, whether in family, church, or society. Those who lead are called to guide others in righteousness, and to lead them astray is to incur a greater judgment. The recurring pattern of sin and judgment in the Northern Kingdom, particularly Baasha's failure to learn from Jeroboam's downfall, challenges us to introspectively examine our own lives. Are we repeating patterns of disobedience, even after witnessing their destructive consequences in others or in history? This verse calls for a genuine turning away from anything that displeases God, emphasizing that true repentance involves a change of direction, not just a change of personnel. Ultimately, God's unwavering commitment to His word—both in warning and fulfillment—provides both comfort for the righteous who trust in His faithfulness and a sober warning for the disobedient, reminding us that His justice is sure and His character unchanging.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the pattern of judgment against Baasha and Jeroboam challenge our understanding of leadership and accountability today, especially for those in spiritual authority?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be repeating patterns of sin, even after witnessing their destructive consequences in others or in history?**
* **What does God's unwavering commitment to His word, both in warning and fulfillment, teach us about His character and our response to His commands?**

### FAQ

**Why was Baasha's judgment so severe, especially since he overthrew a wicked king?**

Answer: While Baasha's coup against Nadab (Jeroboam's son) initially seemed to fulfill prophecy and remove a wicked ruler, God's judgment on Baasha was not merely about his political actions but his spiritual rebellion. [1 Kings 16:2](/1_kings/16-2 "1 Kings 16:2 - Baasha's Sin") explicitly states that Baasha "walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin." Despite witnessing the devastating consequences of Jeroboam's idolatry, Baasha chose to perpetuate the same fundamental sin by maintaining the golden calves and leading the people away from true worship of Yahweh. God's judgment is not a reward for political expediency, but a response to covenant faithfulness. Baasha had the opportunity to learn from history and lead Israel back to the Lord, but he chose instead to continue the very idolatry that brought divine wrath, thus incurring the same severe retribution. The severity underscores God's intolerance for sin, especially when it involves leading His people astray and breaking His covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The relentless cycle of sin, judgment, and the eradication of royal lines in the Old Testament, as seen in the judgment on Baasha and Jeroboam, profoundly underscores the inherent instability and corruption of human kingship and the desperate need for a perfect, eternal King. The repeated "taking away of posterity" points to the brokenness of humanity's lineage, tainted by sin from Adam onward, and the inability of any human king to establish a lasting, righteous kingdom. This narrative foreshadows the coming of the true King, Jesus Christ, who is the promised "seed" or "posterity" ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"); [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - Christ, the Seed of Abraham")) who would not be taken away, but would establish an everlasting kingdom. Unlike Baasha or Jeroboam, who perpetuated sin and faced divine wrath, Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled God's will, bore the judgment for all sin on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")), and rose to secure an eternal, righteous reign. Through Him, believers are adopted into a new, spiritual "posterity" that will never be cut off, but will inherit eternal life and participate in His unshakeable kingdom ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakeable Kingdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 14:10

Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, [and] him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.

1 Kings 15:29

And it came to pass, when he reigned, [that] he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according unto the saying of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:

1 Kings 15:30

Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.

Isaiah 66:24

And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Jeremiah 22:19

He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

1 Kings 21:21

Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,

1 Kings 21:24

Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.