For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss here is the specific wording that connects King Baasha's actions directly to Jeroboam's "sins that he made Israel to sin." It wasn't just Baasha's personal sins, but his deliberate continuation and amplification of practices that led an entire nation astray, further provoking God through their idol worship. This highlights how leadership can either lead people to God or deeper into rebellion.
For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse describes the reign of Baasha, who is being judged for following the wicked example of Jeroboam. Jeroboam had previously led Israel into idolatry to prevent people from worshiping in Jerusalem, a sin that continued to plague the nation. Baasha's own actions then perpetuated this pattern of sin, further angering God.
Have you ever felt like you're stuck in a cycle of bad habits? King Baasha certainly did, and the Bible doesn't pull any punches about it. This verse reveals a recurring trap that many leaders, and even whole nations, fall into.
Following a Familiar, Fatal Path
This verse paints a grim picture of King Baasha's reign. It explicitly states he walked 'in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.' This isn't just a casual mention; it's a deliberate comparison. Jeroboam, the first king of the divided Northern Kingdom of Israel, had set a devastating precedent.
The word 'idols' might conjure images of ancient statues. But what does it really mean to provoke God with idols today? This verse calls us to a deeper understanding of what truly captures our devotion.
The Core of Idolatry
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The 'idols' mentioned here weren't just decorative objects. They represented a fundamental rejection of the LORD's authority and a turning to other powers or conveniences for security, provision, or identity.
Understand the original words
halak · Hebrew Verb
To follow a path of conduct, manner of living, or moral behavior. In the Old Testament, it often refers to one's spiritual allegiance and adherence to God's law or a departure from it.
chatta'ah · Hebrew Noun
Transgression against God's law or character. It signifies missing the mark of righteousness and rebellion against God’s sovereign authority.
ka'as · Hebrew Verb
To stimulate or arouse someone, in this context, to stir up God's righteous indignation and holy judgment due to covenant betrayal.
hebel · Hebrew Noun
An image or representation used as an object of worship. Biblically, it refers to any created thing that replaces the worship of the one true God, often associated with spiritual adultery.
This verse highlights how King Omri's son, Ahab, followed the same destructive path as King Jeroboam I, who had established the idolatrous calf worship decades earlier. This historical context shows a pattern of spiritual rebellion that plagued the northern kingdom, leading to its eventual downfall.
c. 931 BC
Israel Splits into Two Kingdoms
After King Solomon's death, the united kingdom of Israel fractures. The northern tribes form the Kingdom of Israel (later known as Samaria), while the southern tribes establish the Kingdom of Judah.
c. 931–910 BC— this verse
Jeroboam's Idolatry Begins
Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern Kingdom of Israel, sets up golden calves at Bethel and Dan. He does this to prevent his people from traveling to Jerusalem to worship, thereby establishing his own religious and political centers.
c. 910–909 BC
Reign of Baasha
Baasha becomes king and continues in Jeroboam's sin, further entrenching the idolatrous practices in the northern kingdom. This sets a pattern of religious corruption.
c. 874–853 BC
Reign of Ahab
Ahab becomes king and marries Jezebel, a Phoenician princess. He not only continues Jeroboam's sins but also actively promotes the worship of Baal, leading Israel into even deeper spiritual decay.
c. 814 BC
Syncretism Deepens
Generations later, the lines between Yahweh worship and Canaanite idolatry become increasingly blurred for many Israelites, largely due to the persistent influence of the state-sanctioned cults.
This passage describes Jeroboam's original sin of setting up golden calves, establishing the pattern of idolatry and rebellion that Baasha followed.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5This law outlines the severe consequences for those who lead Israel to worship other gods, highlighting the gravity of the sin Baasha repeated.
Psalm 78:56-58This psalm reflects on Israel's repeated unfaithfulness and God's anger, showing how patterns of sin like Jeroboam's continued throughout their history.
2 Kings 17:21-23This passage describes the eventual destruction of the northern kingdom, directly linking it to Jeroboam's sins which Baasha also perpetuated.
What's easy to miss here is the specific wording that connects King Baasha's actions directly to Jeroboam's "sins that he made Israel to sin." It wasn't just Baasha's personal sins, but his deliberate continuation and amplification of practices that led an entire nation astray, further provoking God through their idol worship. This highlights how leadership can either lead people to God or deeper into rebellion.
This verse describes the reign of Baasha, who is being judged for following the wicked example of Jeroboam. Jeroboam had previously led Israel into idolatry to prevent people from worshiping in Jerusalem, a sin that continued to plague the nation. Baasha's own actions then perpetuated this pattern of sin, further angering God.
This verse describes the reign of Baasha, who is being judged for following the wicked example of Jeroboam. Jeroboam had previously led Israel into idolatry to prevent people from worshiping in Jerusalem, a sin that continued to plague the nation. Baasha's own actions then perpetuated this pattern of sin, further angering God.
"For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols." — What's easy to miss here is the specific wording that connects King Baasha's actions directly to Jeroboam's "sins that he made Israel to sin." It wasn't just Baasha's personal sins, but his deliberat…
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Last reviewed October 2026