2 Kings 8:15
New International Version
But the next day he took a thick cloth, soaked it in water and spread it over the king’s face, so that he died. Then Hazael succeeded him as king.

New Living Translation
But the next day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and held it over the king’s face until he died. Then Hazael became the next king of Aram.

English Standard Version
But the next day he took the bed cloth and dipped it in water and spread it over his face, till he died. And Hazael became king in his place.

Berean Standard Bible
But the next day Hazael took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face. So Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned in his place.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But it happened on the next day that he took a thick cloth and dipped it in water, and spread it over his face so that he died; and Hazael reigned in his place.

New American Standard Bible
But on the following day, he took the cover and dipped it in water, and spread it over his face, so that he died. And Hazael became king in his place.

NASB 1995
On the following day, he took the cover and dipped it in water and spread it on his face, so that he died. And Hazael became king in his place.

NASB 1977
And it came about on the morrow, that he took the cover and dipped it in water and spread it on his face, so that he died. And Hazael became king in his place.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that on the following day, he took the cover and dipped it in water and spread it on his face; so he died. And Hazael became king in his place.

Amplified Bible
But the next day Hazael took the bedspread and dipped it in water and covered the king’s face, so that he died. And Hazael became king in his place.

Christian Standard Bible
The next day Hazael took a heavy cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face. Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned in his place.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The next day Hazael took a heavy cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face. Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned instead of him.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took the coverlet, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.

Contemporary English Version
But the very next day, Hazael got a thick blanket; he soaked it in water and held it over Benhadad's face until he died. Hazael then became king.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took the coverlet, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, So that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the next day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and smothered the king with it. Hazael ruled as king in his place.

Good News Translation
But on the following day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and smothered the king. And Hazael succeeded Benhadad as king of Syria.

International Standard Version
But the very next day, Hazael grabbed a thick covering, soaked it in water, and spread it over the king's face, and he suffocated. Then Hazael succeeded Ben-hadad as king.

Majority Standard Bible
But the next day Hazael took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face. So Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned in his place.

NET Bible
The next day Hazael took a piece of cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over Ben Hadad's face until he died. Then Hazael replaced him as king.

New Heart English Bible
It happened on the next day, that he took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died. Then Hazael reigned in his place.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
On the next day, he took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it on the king’s face, so that he died. Then Hazael reigned in his place.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass on the next day, that he takes the coarse cloth, and dips [it] in water, and spreads [it] on his face, and he dies, and Hazael reigns in his stead.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass on the morrow, that he taketh the coarse cloth, and dippeth in water, and spreadeth on his face, and he dieth, and Hazael reigneth in his stead.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be on the morrow, and he will take a coarse cloth and dip in water and spread over his face, and he will die: and Hamel will reign in his stead.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And on the next day he took a blanket, and pouted water on it, and spread it upon his face: and he died, and Hazael reigned in his stead.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the next day had arrived, he took a small covering, and poured water on it, and he spread it over his face. And when he died, Hazael reigned in his place.

New American Bible
The next day, however, Hazael took a cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face, so that he died. And Hazael succeeded him as king.

New Revised Standard Version
But the next day he took the bed-cover and dipped it in water and spread it over the king’s face, until he died. And Hazael succeeded him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And on the morrow, Hazael took a thick cloth and dipped it in water and spread it on the king's face, so that he died; and Hazael reigned in his stead.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the day after, Khazail took a robe and dipped it in water and covered his face and he died, and Khazail reigned after him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took the coverlet, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died; and Hazael reigned in his stead.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass on the next day that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and put it on his face, and he died: and Azael reigned in his stead.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hazael Murders Ben-hadad
14So Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you?” And he replied, “He told me that you would surely recover.” 15But the next day Hazael took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face. So Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned in his place.

Cross References
2 Kings 9:14-15
Thus Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. (Now Joram and all Israel had been defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram, / but King Joram had returned to Jezreel to recover from the wounds he had suffered at the hands of the Arameans in the battle against Hazael their king.) So Jehu said, “If you commanders wish to make me king, then do not let anyone escape from the city to go and tell it in Jezreel.”

2 Kings 10:9-11
The next morning, Jehu went out and stood before all the people and said, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these? / Know, then, that not a word the LORD has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail, for the LORD has done what He promised through His servant Elijah.” / So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor.

2 Kings 11:1-3
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. / But Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed. / And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

2 Kings 12:20-21
And the servants of Joash rose up and formed a conspiracy and killed him at Beth-millo, on the road down to Silla. / His servants Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer struck him down, and he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the City of David, and his son Amaziah reigned in his place.

2 Kings 15:10
Then Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, struck him down and killed him in front of the people, and reigned in his place.

2 Kings 15:25
Then his officer, Pekah son of Remaliah, conspired against him along with Argob, Arieh, and fifty men of Gilead. And at the citadel of the king’s palace in Samaria, Pekah struck down and killed Pekahiah and reigned in his place.

2 Kings 15:30
Then Hoshea son of Elah led a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. In the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah, Hoshea attacked Pekah, killed him, and reigned in his place.

2 Kings 21:23-24
Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his palace. / But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place.

2 Samuel 4:5-7
Now Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out and arrived at the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day, while the king was taking his midday nap. / They entered the interior of the house as if to get some wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and his brother Baanah slipped away. / They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed, and having stabbed and killed him, they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled all night by way of the Arabah.

1 Kings 2:25
So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.

1 Kings 16:9-10
However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. / So in the twenty-seventh year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Zimri went in, struck Elah down, and killed him. And Zimri reigned in his place.

1 Kings 21:13
And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.

2 Chronicles 24:25-26
And when the Arameans had withdrawn, they left Joash severely wounded. His own servants conspired against him for shedding the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him on his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. / Those who conspired against Joash were Zabad son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad son of Shimrith the Moabitess.

2 Chronicles 33:24-25
Then the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed him in his palace. / But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place.

Matthew 2:16
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

And it came

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.

1 Samuel 16:12,13
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he…

1 Samuel 24:4-7,13
And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily…

on the morrow

Psalm 36:4
He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

Micah 2:1
Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

that he took a thick cloth

1 Samuel 19:13
And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.

so that he died

2 Kings 9:24
And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

2 Kings 15:10-14,25,30
And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead…

1 Kings 15:28
Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead.

Hazael

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.

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:

Jump to Previous
Ben-Hadad's Causing Cloth Cover Coverlet Died Dieth Dipped Dippeth Face Following Hazael Haz'ael King's Making Morrow Reigned Reigneth Soaked Spread Spreadeth Stead Thick Water Wet
Jump to Next
Ben-Hadad's Causing Cloth Cover Coverlet Died Dieth Dipped Dippeth Face Following Hazael Haz'ael King's Making Morrow Reigned Reigneth Soaked Spread Spreadeth Stead Thick Water Wet
2 Kings 8
1. The Shunammite, having left her country seven years, to avoid the famine,
5. for Elisha's miracle's sake has her land restored by the king.
7. Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad and succeeds him
16. Jehoram's wicked reign in Judah
20. Edom and Libnah revolt
23. Ahaziah succeeds Jehoram
25. Ahaziah's wicked reign
28. He visits Joram, being wounded, at Jezreel














But the next day
This phrase indicates a swift transition from the previous events, emphasizing the immediacy of Hazael's actions. In the Hebrew context, the word for "day" (יוֹם, yom) often signifies not just a literal day but a period of time marked by significant events. Here, it underscores the urgency and premeditated nature of Hazael's plot, reflecting a pivotal moment in the narrative where divine prophecy and human action intersect.

Hazael
Hazael's name in Hebrew (חֲזָאֵל) means "God has seen." This is ironic given his actions, suggesting that despite his treachery, he is under divine observation. Historically, Hazael was a significant figure, known from both biblical and Assyrian records as a powerful king of Aram. His rise to power, as seen here, fulfills the prophecy given to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:15-17, highlighting the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations.

took a thick cloth
The "thick cloth" (מַכְבֵּר, makber) is a term that suggests a heavy, possibly woven fabric. This detail is crucial as it indicates the methodical and deliberate nature of Hazael's actions. The use of such a cloth for suffocation reflects a calculated and cold-blooded approach to murder, contrasting with the often more direct violence of the era, and highlighting the cunning and deceitful character of Hazael.

dipped it in water
The act of dipping the cloth in water (טָבַל, tabal) serves a dual purpose: it makes the cloth more effective for suffocation and symbolizes the deceptive nature of Hazael's actions. Water, often a symbol of life and purity in Scripture, is here used as an instrument of death, illustrating the perversion of good for evil purposes. This action underscores the theme of betrayal and the corrupting influence of power.

and spread it over the king’s face
This phrase describes the act of murder with chilling simplicity. The Hebrew verb "spread" (פָּרַשׂ, paras) conveys a sense of covering or overlaying, suggesting a finality and completeness to the act. The king, likely Ben-Hadad II, is rendered powerless, a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most powerful earthly rulers when faced with treachery.

So he died
The brevity of this statement in Hebrew (וַיָּמָת, vayamat) reflects the sudden and irreversible nature of death. It serves as a narrative pivot, marking the end of one reign and the beginning of another. This moment fulfills the prophetic word given to Elijah, demonstrating the certainty of God's word and the unfolding of His divine plan despite human sinfulness.

and Hazael reigned in his place
Hazael's ascension to the throne (וַיִּמְלֹךְ, vayimlok) is a fulfillment of divine prophecy, as seen in 1 Kings 19:15-17. His reign, though marked by violence and ambition, is part of God's larger narrative for Israel and the surrounding nations. This transition of power serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the often mysterious ways in which His purposes are accomplished through human history.

(15) He took--i.e., Hazael, the nearest subject. Ewald objects that if Hazael were meant, his name would not occur where it does at the end of the verse. But the objection does not hold, for in relating who succeeded to the throne, it was natural to give the name of the new king. Further, a considerable pause must be understood at "he died." The Judaean editor of Kings then appropriately concludes: "So Hazael reigned in his stead." The mention of the name significantly reminds us that Elisha had designated Hazael as the future king. Besides, after the words "and he died," it would have been more ambiguous than usual to add, "and he reigned in his stead."

A thick cloth.--Rather, the quilt, or coverlet. So the LXX., Vulg., Targum, and Arabic. The Syriac renders "curtain;" and, accordingly, Gesenius and others translate, "mosquito net." The Hebrew term (makb?r) means, etymologically, something plaited or interwoven. It is not found elsewhere, but a word of the same root occurs in 1Samuel 19:13. It is clear from the context that the makb?r must have been something which when soaked in water, and laid on the face, would prevent respiration.

Josephus says Hazael strangled his master with a mosquito net. But this and other explanations, such as that of Ewald, do not suit the words of the text. The old commentator, Clericus, may be right when he states Hazae?s motive to have been ut hominem facilius suffocaret, ne vi interemptus videretur. And, perhaps, as Thenius supposes, the crown was offered to Hazael as a successful warrior. (Comp. 2Kings 10:32, seq.) When Duncker (Hist. of Antiq., 1:413) ventures to state that Elisha incited Hazael to the murder of Ben-hadad, and afterwards renewed the war against Israel, not without encouragement from the prophet as a persistent enemy of Jehoram and his dynasty, he simply betrays an utter incapacity for understanding the character and function of Hebrew prophecy. The writer of Kings, at all events, did not intend to represent Elisha as a deceiver of foreign sovereigns and a traitor to his own; and this narrative is the only surviving record of the events described.

Hazael reigned in his stead.--On the Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser II. (B.C. 860-825), now in the British Museum, we read: "In my 18th regnal year for the 16th time I crossed the Euphrates. Haza'ilu of the land of Damascus came on to the battle: 1,121 of his chariots, 470 of his horsemen, with his stores, I took from him." And again: "In my 21st year for the 21st time I crossed the Euphrates: to the cities of Haza'ilu of the land of Damascus I marched, whose towns I took. Tribute of the land of the Tyrians, Sidonians, Giblites, I received."

Verse 15. - And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth. Macber is a cloth of a coarse texture - a mat, or piece of carpeting. It has here the article prefixed to it (ham-macber), which implies that there was but one in the sick-room. We may conjecture that it was a mat used as a sort of pillow, and interposed between the head-rest (so common in Egypt and Assyria) and the head (compare the c'bir of 1 Samuel 19:13). And dipped it in water. The water would fill up the interstices through which air might otherwise have been drawn, and hasten the suffocation. A death of the same kind is recorded in the Persian history entitled 'Kholasat el Akhbar,' which contains (p. 162) the following passage: "The malik ordered that they should place a carpet on Abdallah's mouth, so that his life was cut off." And spread it on his face, so that he died. It has been supposed by some commentators, as Luther, Schultz, Geddes, Boothroyd, that Benhadad put the wet macber on his own face for refreshment, and accidentally suffocated himself; but this is very unlikely, and it is certainly not the natural sense of the words. As "Hazael" is the subject of "departed" and "came" and "answered" in ver. 14, so it is the natural subject of "took" and "dipped" and "spread" in ver. 15. Ver. 11 also would be unintelligible if Hazael entertained no murderous intentions. Why Ewald ('History of Israel,' vol. 4. p. 93, Eng. trans.) introduces a "bath-servant," unmentioned in the text, to murder Benhadad for no assignable reason, it is difficult to conjecture. And Hazael reigned in his stead. The direct succession of Hazael to Benhadad is confirmed by the inscription on the Black Obelisk, where he appears as King of Damascus (line 97) a few years only after Benhadad (Bin-idri) had been mentioned as king.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But
וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the next day
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֗ת (mim·mā·ḥo·rāṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4283: The morrow, tomorrow

Hazael took
וַיִּקַּ֤ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

a thick cloth,
הַמַּכְבֵּר֙ (ham·maḵ·bêr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4346: Grating, lattice-work

dipped
וַיִּטְבֹּ֣ל (way·yiṭ·bōl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2881: To dip, to immerse

it in water,
בַּמַּ֔יִם (bam·ma·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

and spread
וַיִּפְרֹ֥שׂ (way·yip̄·rōś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6566: To break apart, disperse

it over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the king’s face.
פָּנָ֖יו (pā·nāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

So Ben-hadad died,
וַיָּמֹ֑ת (way·yā·mōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

and Hazael
חֲזָהאֵ֖ל (ḥă·zā·h·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2371: Hazael -- 'God sees', a king of Aram (Syria)

reigned
וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ (way·yim·lōḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

in his place.
תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ (taḥ·tāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of


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OT History: 2 Kings 8:15 It happened on the next day that (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 8:14
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