2 Chronicles 16:1 - Exposition

For the six and thirtieth year, read six and twentieth. Ramah belonged to Benjamin ( Joshua 18:21 , Joshua 18:25 , Joshua 18:28 ), and lay between Bethel and Jerusalem, about five or six Roman miles from each; but Keil and Bertheau, by some error, call it thirty miles from Jerusalem, having very likely in their eye Ramah of Samuel, in Ephraim. The word signifies "lofty," and the present history speaks the importance of its position, and would infer also that Israel had regained Bethel, which, with other adjacent places, Abijah had wrested from Jeroboam ( 2 Chronicles 13:19 ). The reference of Isaiah 10:28 , Isaiah 10:29 , 82 is exceedingly interesting, and bespeaks the fact that Ramah commanded another intersecting route from Ephraim. When it is said here that Baasha built ( וַיִּבֶן ) Ramah, the meaning is that he was beginning to strengthen it greatly, and fortify it. The object of Baasha, which no doubt needed no stating in the facts of the day, is now stated by history.