Hazael
"A King of Aram whose rise to power and subsequent aggression were foretold by the prophets Elijah and Elisha."
Biblical Profile
Hazael of Aram (Syria) is a unique character whose entire career was an enacted prophecy of judgment. While Elisha was in Damascus, Hazael was sent to him by the ill King Ben-Hadad to ask if the king would recover. Elisha looked at Hazael and began to weep. When Hazael asked why, Elisha replied that he saw the horrific atrocities Hazael would commit against the people of Israel. Elisha then told him he would be the next king of Aram.
Hazael returned to the palace, smothered Ben-Hadad with a wet cloth, and seized the throne. For over thirty years, he became a "hammer" in God's hand against the idolatrous northern and southern kingdoms. He crushed the armies of Jehu, captured territory across the Jordan, and even threatened Jerusalem during the reign of Joash. His military dominance was not a sign of his own righteousness, but a sign of Israel's deep spiritual failure. He eventually died and was succeeded by his son, Ben-Hadad III, marking the beginning of the decline of Aramean power.
Theological Significance
Hazael’s reign provides a stark look at God's sovereignty over history and pagan nations:
1. The Sovereign Use of Evil: Hazael was a wicked man, yet God used his military ambition to fulfill divine purposes. This makes the theological truth that even the wrath of man can be made to praise God.
2. Prophetic Foreknowledge and Human Responsibility: Elisha's prophecy did not force Hazael to murder his king—Hazael's own heart did. Prophecy simply revealed the character that was already present in Hazael.
3. The Burden of Judgment: Hazael represents the "scourge" that God often allowed to rise when His people persistently rejected His covenant. He shows that spiritual rebellion has real-world, geopolitical consequences.
Scripture References
FAQ
Identity
How did Hazael become king?expand_more
When Ben-Hadad was ill, Hazael smothered him with a wet thick cloth and then took the throne for himself, as Elisha had predicted.
Theology
Why did God choose Hazael?expand_more
God often used foreign nations and kings as a 'rod of discipline' for Israel when they fell into persistent idolatry. Hazael was a historical instrument of this judgment.
Latest Articles
What Is the Kingdom of God?
Understand the meaning of the kingdom of God according to Scripture. Read how it encompasses divine sovereignty present salvation and coming glory.
What Is the Final Judgment?
Understand what the final judgment is according to the Bible. Learn the role of the great white throne of Christ as judge and the importance of the book of life.
What Is the Bible’s View of Love?
What is the Bible's view of love? Discover how Scripture defines love through God's character, Christ's sacrifice, and the command to love others.