Hazael was a significant figure in the history of the ancient Near East, particularly in the context of the biblical narrative. He was a king of Aram-Damascus, a kingdom located in modern-day Syria, and played a crucial role in the geopolitical landscape during the 9th century BC. His account is primarily documented in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings in the Old Testament.

Biblical Account

Hazael first appears in the biblical narrative in 1 Kings 19:15-17, where God instructs the prophet Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. This divine directive underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to raise leaders according to His purposes. The text states: "The LORD said to him, 'Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.'" (1 Kings 19:15).

Hazael's rise to power is further detailed in 2 Kings 8:7-15. The prophet Elisha visits Damascus, where Hazael serves as a high-ranking official under King Ben-Hadad II. Ben-Hadad, who is ill, sends Hazael to inquire of Elisha whether he will recover. Elisha's response is cryptic, indicating that while the king could recover, he will ultimately die. Elisha weeps, foreseeing the harm Hazael will inflict upon Israel. Hazael returns to Ben-Hadad and reports only part of Elisha's message. The next day, Hazael suffocates the king and seizes the throne, fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah.

Military Campaigns and Conflicts

As king, Hazael was a formidable military leader, known for his campaigns against Israel and Judah. His reign marked a period of Aramean expansion and aggression. In 2 Kings 10:32-33, Hazael is described as oppressing Israel throughout the reign of Jehu: "In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory east of the Jordan." .

Hazael's military prowess is further highlighted in 2 Kings 12:17-18, where he threatens Jerusalem during the reign of King Jehoash of Judah. To avert disaster, Jehoash sends Hazael a tribute of sacred treasures from the temple and royal palace, demonstrating Hazael's influence and the fear he instilled in neighboring kingdoms.

Archaeological Evidence

The historical existence of Hazael is corroborated by archaeological findings, including the Tel Dan Stele, an Aramaic inscription that references the "House of David" and Hazael's military victories. This stele provides external validation of the biblical account and attests to Hazael's prominence as a regional power.

Legacy

Hazael's legacy is one of both fulfillment of divine prophecy and the harsh realities of ancient Near Eastern politics. His actions, as recorded in the Bible, illustrate the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency. Hazael's reign, marked by ambition and military success, left a lasting impact on the history of Israel and its neighbors, serving as a reminder of the tumultuous period in which he lived.Haz'ael (21 Occurrences)

1 Kings 19:15
And the LORD said unto him: 'Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus; and when thou comest, thou shalt anoint Hazael to be king over Aram;
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1 Kings 19:17
And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay; and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
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2 Kings 8:8
And the king said unto Hazael: 'Take a present in thy hand, and go meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying: Shall I recover of this sickness?'
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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 Ben-hadad king of Aram hath sent me to thee, saying: Shall I recover of this sickness?'
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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 strongholds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash in pieces their little ones, and rip up their women with child.'
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2 Kings 8:13
And Hazael said: 'But what is thy servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?' And Elisha answered: 'The LORD hath shown me that thou shalt be king over Aram.'
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2 Kings 8:15
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.
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2 Kings 8:28
And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to war against Hazael king of Aram at Ramoth-gilead; and the Arameans wounded Joram.
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2 Kings 8:29
And king Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Arameans had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
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2 Kings 9:14
So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. --Now Joram had been guarding Ramoth-gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Aram;
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2 Kings 9:15
but king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Arameans had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Aram. --And Jehu said: 'If this be your mind, then let none escape and go forth out of the city, to go to tell it in Jezreel.'
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2 Kings 10:32
In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short; and Hazael smote them in all the borders of Israel:
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2 Kings 12:17
Then Hazael king of Aram went up, and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
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2 Kings 12:18
And Jehoash king 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 of the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Aram; and he went away from Jerusalem.
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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 Aram, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael, continually.
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2 Kings 13:22
And Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.
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2 Kings 13:24
And Hazael king of Aram died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead.
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2 Kings 13:25
And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash smite him, and recovered the cities of Israel.
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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 Aram at Ramoth-gilead; and the Arameans wounded Joram.
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2 Chronicles 22:6
And he returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.
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Amos 1:4
And I have sent a fire against the house of Hazael, And it hath consumed the palaces of Ben-Hadad.
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Haz'ael (21 Occurrences)
Haz'ael. Hazael, Haz'ael. Hazaiah . Multi-Version Concordance Haz'ael
(21 Occurrences). 1 Kings 19:15 And the LORD said unto him ...
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Hazael (23 Occurrences)

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Hazaiah (1 Occurrence)

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