Lexicons disagree, and one derives the name from a root meaning to be offensive.
About
King of Israel who took the throne by conspiracy. Baasha son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, struck down Nadab at Gibbethon and destroyed the whole house of Jeroboam, as the Lord had spoken through the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite. He reigned twenty-four years in Tirzah and was at war with Asa of Judah all their days. He built Ramah to shut Asa in, but stopped when the king of Syria, after a gift from Asa, attacked the cities of Israel. Scripture says he did evil and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and the prophet Jehu son of Hanani announced the end of his house. His son Elah reigned after him.
Relationships
OverthrewNadabThe king he struck down at Gibbethon to take the throne
RivalAsaKing of Judah at war with him all their days
Key Scripture AppearancesKJV
1 Kings 15:17
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.1 Kings 15:17, KJV
1 Kings 15:27
And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.1 Kings 15:27, KJV
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 15:29, KJV
1 Kings 15:34
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.1 Kings 15:34, KJV
1 Kings 16:2
Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;1 Kings 16:2, KJV
See how Baasha connects to every other figure in Scripture.