Topic: Persons Of The Bible - Hazael

The name "Hazael" means "whom God sees" in Hebrew. The name also means "whom God beholds."

Hazael was an officer of Ben-hadad II., king of Syria , who ultimately came to the throne, according to the word of the Lord to Elijah (1 Kings 19:15), after Hazael had put the king to death (2 Kings 8:15). Hazael's interview with Elisha is mentioned in 2 Kings 8 in which case Hazael was sent by Hazael's master to Elisha to inquire if the king would recover from the malady under which he was suffering. Elisha's answer led to the murder of Ben-hadad by his ambitious servant, Hazael, who forthwith mounted the throne. (2 Kings 8:7-15) Hazael was soon engaged in war with the kings of Judah and Israel for the possession of the city of Ramoth-gilead . Ibid. (2 Kings 8:28) The Assyrians soon after Hazael's accession to the throne came against him and defeated Hazael with very great loss; and three years afterwards again invaded Syria, but on this occasion Hazael submitted to them. Towards the close of the reign of Jehu, Hazael led the Syrians against the Israelites (about B.C. 860), whom he "smote in all their coasts," (2 Kings 10:32) thus accomplishing the prophecy of Elisha. Ibid. (2 Kings 8:12) At the close of his life, having taken Gath , ibid. (2 Kings 12:17) comp. Amos 6:2 He proceeded to attack Jerusalem , (2 Chronicles 24:24) and was about to assault the city when Joash bribed him to retire. (2 Kings 12:18) It is recounted Joash offered "all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the king's house" (2 Kings 12:18; 2 Chr. 24:24). Hazael reigned about forty-six years (B.C.886-840). Hazael appears to have died about the year B.C. 840, (2 Kings 13:24). Hazael was succeeded on the throne by his son Ben-hadad (2 Kings 13:22-25), who on several occasions was defeated by Jehoash, the king of Israel, and compelled to restore all the land of Israel his father had taken.

Derived from Easton's and Smith's Bible Dictionaries

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