In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah: The thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa was about 875 B.C. According to 1 Kgs 15.33, King Baasha died about ten years before this. In this context went up against may be rendered “invaded” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible), “attacked” ( NET Bible, New American Bible), or “marched on” (New Jerusalem Bible). The upward movement is incidental to the story and does not need to be highlighted in translation. Israel here refers to the northern kingdom, and Judah is the southern kingdom.

And built Ramah: Ramah was a town about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north of Jerusalem. It was located on an important road connecting Jerusalem and Shechem. It already existed so the Hebrew verb rendered built is better translated “fortified” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible). For this whole clause NET Bible has “and he established Ramah as a military outpost.” The Hebrew text leaves implied that Baasha first captured the town of Ramah before he was able to begin fortifying it. Contemporary English Version makes this information explicit by saying “and captured the town of Ramah. He started making the town stronger.”

That he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah is literally “to not allow to go out or to come in to Asa….” The Hebrew expression indicates purpose, and Revised Standard Version has added the words no one as English requires. The expression to go out or come in is to be understood rather literally here. Baasha put up a blockade that prevented people from entering or leaving the territory of Judah. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says the purpose was “to block all movement,” and New American Bible has “to prevent any communication.” The purpose of the blockade may have been to cut off trade and communication as well as to prevent northerners from going to Jerusalem to worship. For this whole clause New Revised Standard Version has “to prevent anyone from going out or coming into the territory of King Asa of Judah.” Revised English Bible is similar with “to prevent anyone leaving or entering the kingdom of Asa of Judah.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .