Hazael
maleDivided MonarchyMeaning: “God has seen”
A Syrian official whom Elisha foresaw would become king and oppress Israel; he murdered his master and seized the throne, becoming a scourge to Israel.
Biography
Hazael was a powerful official of Ben-hadad, king of Syria (Aram), whom God marked out for the throne. When the dying Ben-hadad sent Hazael to ask the prophet Elisha whether he would recover, Elisha wept — for he foresaw the cruelty Hazael would inflict on Israel (2 Kings 8:11–12).
Seizing the throne
The next day Hazael smothered his master with a wet cloth and reigned in his place (2 Kings 8:15), fulfilling the word the LORD had earlier given to Elijah (1 Kings 19:15).
A scourge to Israel
As king, Hazael relentlessly oppressed Israel throughout the reigns of Jehu and Jehoahaz, conquering territory east of the Jordan and reducing Israel's army to almost nothing (2 Kings 10:32; 13:3, 22). He stands as an instrument of judgment on the apostate northern kingdom, his rise and his violence both foretold by the prophets.
Life Timeline
Foreseen by Elisha; murders Ben-hadad and seizes the throne
Oppresses Israel throughout Jehu’s dynasty
On the Bible timeline
Hazael belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
- 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
Themes & lessons from Hazael
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Hazael appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
21 verses in 4 books1 Kings2 verses
1 Kings 19:15
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
1 Kings 19:17
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
2 Kings16 verses
2 Kings 8:8
And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
2 Kings 8:9
So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? with: Heb. in his hand
2 Kings 8:12
And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.
2 Kings 8:13
And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
2 Kings 8:15
And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
2 Kings 8:28
And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
2 Kings 8:29
And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick. which: Heb. wherewith the Syrians had wounded Ramah: called Ramoth sick: Heb. wounded
2 Kings 9:14
So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram had kept Ramothgilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Syria.
2 Kings 9:15
But king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) And Jehu said, If it be your minds, then let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go to tell it in Jezreel. Joram: Heb. Jehoram but not in verse sixteen had given: Heb. smote let none: Heb. let no escaper go, etc.
2 Kings 10:32
In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel; to cut: Heb. to cut off the ends
2 Kings 12:17
Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
2 Kings 12:18
And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem. went: Heb. went up
2 Kings 13:3
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, all their days.
2 Kings 13:22
But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
2 Kings 13:24
So Hazael king of Syria died; and Benhadad his son reigned in his stead.
2 Kings 13:25
And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael the cities, which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash beat him, and recovered the cities of Israel. took: Heb. returned and took
2 Chronicles2 verses
2 Chronicles 22:5
He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.
2 Chronicles 22:6
And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick. which: Heb. wherewith they wounded him Azariah: also called, Ahaziah, ver.I. or, Jehoahaz, ver.21.17.
Amos1 verse
Amos 1:4
But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad.
Frequently asked about Hazael
Who was Hazael in the Bible?
A Syrian official whom Elisha foresaw would become king and oppress Israel; he murdered his master and seized the throne, becoming a scourge to Israel.
What does the name Hazael mean?
The name Hazael means “God has seen”.
What did Hazael do in the Bible?
Hazael served as king of syria.
Where does Hazael appear in the Bible?
Hazael is mentioned 21 times across 4 books: 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Amos.
What can we learn from Hazael?
The story of Hazael touches on themes of hazael, syria, kings, ben-hadad — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Hazael's life.
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