Hazael’s humble surprise foreshadows the significant, and at times ruthless, reign he would have as king.
Then Hazael said, “But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?” (v.13). In this remarkable exchange, we see Hazael’s reaction to the prophet Elisha’s prophetic revelation. Hazael, who was serving under Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, expresses overt humility and even incredulity at the suggestion that he would play a significant role in events to come. Elisha’s prophecy continues, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.” (v.13). By delivering this message directly to Hazael, Elisha reveals God’s sovereign plan, indicating that even though Hazael is not yet in a position of great authority, he will soon rule over Aram, a kingdom located in what is now modern-day Syria. Geographically, Aram covered territories north and northeast of Israel, with Damascus as its capital, making it a notable regional power in the ancient Near East.
Hazael’s surprised question, “But what is your servant, who is but a dog?” (v.13), highlights the contrast between his present status and the great future Elisha predicts for him. Through this dialogue, Scripture shows how God works through both ordinary and extraordinary individuals to fulfill His purposes, just as we see in other biblical narratives (see also Luke 1, concerning Mary’s humility when told she would bear Jesus). The prophet Elisha, who ministered in the northern kingdom of Israel around the 9th century B.C., had taken over the prophetic work of Elijah. During Elisha’s lifetime, God used him to communicate significant events that would shape nations, underscoring the power of divine revelation.
Historically, Hazael would ascend to the throne of Aram, likely around 841 B.C., and become a formidable opponent of Israel, fulfilling Elisha’s foretelling. Though Hazael’s humble response might seem honorable, the subsequent chapters in 2 Kings depict him as a strong king who, at times, used violence to accomplish his ends (2 Kings 8:28-29). This passage emphasizes both God’s sovereignty, in orchestrating who will rule and when, and the important truth that individuals are rarely as inconsequential as they believe. Hazael’s rise demonstrates how divine plans can supersede human expectations and create far-reaching consequences in regional politics.
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2 Kings 8:13 meaning
Then Hazael said, “But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?” (v.13). In this remarkable exchange, we see Hazael’s reaction to the prophet Elisha’s prophetic revelation. Hazael, who was serving under Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, expresses overt humility and even incredulity at the suggestion that he would play a significant role in events to come. Elisha’s prophecy continues, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.” (v.13). By delivering this message directly to Hazael, Elisha reveals God’s sovereign plan, indicating that even though Hazael is not yet in a position of great authority, he will soon rule over Aram, a kingdom located in what is now modern-day Syria. Geographically, Aram covered territories north and northeast of Israel, with Damascus as its capital, making it a notable regional power in the ancient Near East.
Hazael’s surprised question, “But what is your servant, who is but a dog?” (v.13), highlights the contrast between his present status and the great future Elisha predicts for him. Through this dialogue, Scripture shows how God works through both ordinary and extraordinary individuals to fulfill His purposes, just as we see in other biblical narratives (see also Luke 1, concerning Mary’s humility when told she would bear Jesus). The prophet Elisha, who ministered in the northern kingdom of Israel around the 9th century B.C., had taken over the prophetic work of Elijah. During Elisha’s lifetime, God used him to communicate significant events that would shape nations, underscoring the power of divine revelation.
Historically, Hazael would ascend to the throne of Aram, likely around 841 B.C., and become a formidable opponent of Israel, fulfilling Elisha’s foretelling. Though Hazael’s humble response might seem honorable, the subsequent chapters in 2 Kings depict him as a strong king who, at times, used violence to accomplish his ends (2 Kings 8:28-29). This passage emphasizes both God’s sovereignty, in orchestrating who will rule and when, and the important truth that individuals are rarely as inconsequential as they believe. Hazael’s rise demonstrates how divine plans can supersede human expectations and create far-reaching consequences in regional politics.