Original Word: חֲזָאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Chaza'el
Pronunciation: khaz-ah-ale'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaz-aw-ale')
KJV: Hazael
NASB: Hazael
Word Origin: [from H2372 (חָזָה - see) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. God has seen
2. Chazael, a king of Syria

Hazael

Or Chazahoel {khaz-aw-ale'}; from chazah and 'el; God has seen; Chazael, a king of Syria -- Hazael.

see HEBREW chazah

see HEBREW 'el

Word Origin
from chazah and el
Definition
"God sees," a king of Aram (Syria)
NASB Translation
Hazael (23).

חֲזָהאֵל proper name, masculine (El sees; Assyrian –aza'ilu COT^Gloss) king of Aram 2 Kings 8:8,13,15, 2 Kings 8:29 2Chronicles 22:6; contracted חֲזָאֵל 1 Kings 19:15,17; 2 Kings 8:9,12, 2 Kings 8:28 2Chronicles 22:5; 2 Kings 9:14,15; 2 Kings 10:32; 2 Kings 12:18 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 12:19; 2 Kings 13:3 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 13:22,24,25; בֵּית חֲזָאֵל Amos 1:4.

Name and Theological Significance

Hazael, meaning “El has seen,” stands in Scripture as a vivid reminder that the LORD both foresees and overrules the affairs of nations. Though a pagan Aramean, he becomes a chosen instrument in the divine plan, illustrating that the God of Israel governs all kings, not only those who acknowledge Him.

Prophetic Appointment (1 Kings 19:15–17)

While Elijah despaired on Mount Horeb, the LORD sent him back with a threefold commission: “Go back the way you came, … you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram” (1 Kings 19:15). Long before the coup took place, Hazael’s rise was settled in heaven. The linkage of Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha in verse 17 (“whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will put to death…”) shows that the LORD would use foreign and domestic rulers alike to purge idolatry from Israel.

Encounter with Elisha and Rise to Power (2 Kings 8:7–15)

Years later, Elisha traveled to Damascus where Ben-Hadad was ill. Hazael, a trusted court official, was sent to inquire. After assuring the king he would recover, Elisha privately revealed to Hazael, “The LORD has shown me that you will become king of Aram” (2 Kings 8:13). The prophet then wept, foreseeing the atrocities that would accompany Hazael’s reign (8:12). Hazael immediately murdered the convalescent Ben-Hadad and seized the throne, fulfilling the prophetic word.

Military Campaigns against Israel and Judah

1. Against the House of Omri (2 Kings 8:28–29; 9:14–15). Hazael wounded King Joram of Israel at Ramoth-gilead, and the same campaign led to the mortal injuries of Judah’s King Ahaziah.
2. Jehu’s Early Reign (2 Kings 10:32). “In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel, and Hazael defeated them throughout their territory.” The Aramean onslaught was explicitly traced to divine initiative.
3. Incursion into Judah (2 Kings 12:17–18; 2 Chronicles 22:5–6). Hazael captured Gath and threatened Jerusalem. King Joash placated him with temple treasuries—an ironic moment when sacred wealth funded pagan aggression.
4. Prolonged Oppression of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:3, 22). “Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the days of Jehoahaz.” Yet even amid chastisement, “the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion” (13:22–23).
5. Territorial Losses and Partial Recovery (2 Kings 13:24–25). After Hazael’s death, his son Ben-Hadad III lost cities that had been taken, showing that Hazael’s success was not intrinsic to Aram but contingent on the LORD’s purpose.

Instrument of Judgment and Divine Mercy

Hazael’s brutality fulfilled Elisha’s grim prophecy (2 Kings 8:12). Nevertheless, God’s covenant faithfulness limited the devastation (2 Kings 13:23). The interplay of judgment and mercy underscores two truths: sin invites real historical consequences, yet the LORD’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David stand unbroken.

Later Prophetic Denunciation (Amos 1:4)

Long after Hazael’s death, the prophet Amos condemned the dynastic legacy he founded: “So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the fortresses of Ben-hadad.” Divine retribution would match former violence measure for measure.

Chronological Summary of References

1 Kings 19:15, 17 → 2 Kings 8:8–15, 28–29 → 2 Kings 9:14–15 → 2 Kings 10:32 → 2 Kings 12:17–18 → 2 Kings 13:3, 22-25 → 2 Chronicles 22:5–6 → Amos 1:4.

Extra-Biblical Corroboration

Archaeological finds such as the Tel Dan Stele (commonly attributed to Hazael) and Assyrian records confirm a powerful Aramean monarch active in the mid-ninth century B.C. who warred in Israelite territory, harmonizing with the biblical portrait.

Theological Themes and Lessons

• Sovereignty of God over all rulers.
• Reliability of prophetic word: every detail given to Elijah and Elisha unfolded in history.
• Judgment tempered by covenant mercy.
• The peril of relying on political compromise (Joash’s costly tribute).
• Assurance that God eventually rights wrongs, as proclaimed by Amos.

Legacy

Hazael’s reign epitomizes how the LORD may employ even a ruthless foreigner to accomplish chastisement and purification, yet will also bring that same instrument into judgment. His account thus invites sober reflection on holiness, repentance, and the unshakeable faithfulness of God.

וַֽחֲזָאֵל֙ וחזאל חֲזָאֵ֑ל חֲזָאֵ֔ל חֲזָאֵ֖ל חֲזָאֵ֛ל חֲזָאֵ֣ל חֲזָאֵ֥ל חֲזָאֵל֙ חֲזָאֵל֮ חֲזָהאֵ֔ל חֲזָהאֵ֖ל חֲזָהאֵ֗ל חֲזָהאֵ֥ל חזאל חזהאל לַֽחֲזָאֵל֙ לחזאל chazaEl chazahEl ḥă·zā·’êl ḥă·zā·h·’êl ḥăzā’êl ḥăzāh’êl la·ḥă·zā·’êl lachazaEl laḥăzā’êl vachazaEl wa·ḥă·zā·’êl waḥăzā’êlInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts