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Explore the life of Hazael of Aram, a key figure in biblical history and a formidable Syrian monarch. Unearth the archaeological findings that confirm his existence and delve into the biblical accounts of his reign. Join us as we unveil the portrait of Hazael through scriptures and ancient inscriptions.

HAZAEL (Hazʹa·el) [God Beheld]

The Ascension and Reign of a Commoner King

Hazael, whose name poignantly means “God Beheld,” emerged as a prominent Syrian monarch during the time of King Jehoram of Israel, around 852 to 841 B.C.E. His reign extended until the era of King Jehoash of Israel, approximately 798 to 782 B.C.E. Not of royal blood, Hazael was initially a high-ranking officer under King Ben-hadad II of Syria before assuming the throne in Damascus.

Years before Hazael ascended to power, Jehovah directed Elijah to anoint him as the future king over Syria, a directive that was not literal but symbolic, indicating divine selection for a purpose. Israel had sinned, and Hazael’s destined role was to act as an instrument of divine retribution upon the nation.

Although Hazael never received a physical anointing, the divine commission was realized through Elisha the prophet. When the Syrian King Ben-hadad II fell ill, he dispatched Hazael to inquire of Elisha about his prognosis. Elisha’s cryptic response to Hazael indicated that while Ben-hadad’s illness would not be fatal, his end was imminent. Elisha foresaw Hazael’s kingship, a vision realized when Hazael, upon his return, smothered the king with a damp cloth, seizing the crown for himself.

The scriptural account offers a layered interpretation of Elisha’s words to Hazael. Various textual sources, including the Masoretic text, the Septuagint, and others, present slight variations in wording that suggest Hazael was to deliver a message of recovery to Ben-hadad, yet the underlying truth remained that the king would die—not from his sickness but at Hazael’s hand. Hazael communicated only the portion of Elisha’s prophecy that would not arouse suspicion, fulfilling the darker part through his own treacherous actions.

As king, Hazael’s oppression of Israel began swiftly. The narrative leaves the outcome of an early battle at Ramoth-gilead ambiguous, but it does note that King Jehoram was injured. Under the reign of Jehoram’s successor, King Jehu, Hazael’s conquests intensified as he captured territories east of the Jordan. This expansion set the stage for his eventual campaign against Judah, where he captured Gath and threatened Jerusalem. King Jehoash of Judah avoided a siege by placating Hazael with treasures from the temple and royal palace, prompting Hazael to withdraw.

During the rule of King Jehoahaz, Jehu’s son, Hazael’s oppression of Israel reached a brutal climax, fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy. His violent campaigns against Israel’s fortified cities, nobles, children, and pregnant women are recorded with grim detail, demonstrating the severity of his reign. Despite this, divine providence prevented Israel’s utter destruction, and after Hazael’s death, King Jehoash of Israel reclaimed territories his father had lost to Hazael’s son, Ben-hadad III. King Jeroboam II would later restore Damascus and Hamath to Israelite control.

Hazael’s historical presence extends beyond the biblical text into ancient inscriptions. An inscription from Afis corroborates his lineage, indicating his son, Ben-hadad III, succeeded him. Shalmaneser III’s annals recount his military engagements with Hazael, describing him as a “son of nobody,” a reference to his non-royal origins. These annals detail Shalmaneser’s campaigns and battles with Hazael, though Damascus remained unconquered until the days of King Rezin, when Tiglath-pileser III captured the city, fulfilling Jehovah’s prophecy through Amos of judgment upon the house of Hazael and the fall of Damascus.

Bible Background—Historical Setting—Archaeology

The biblical and historical account of Hazael, King of Aram, stands as a significant illustration of the intricate interplay between the scriptural narrative and archaeological findings. This exploration delves into the life and reign of Hazael, seeking to illuminate the man behind the monarch and the impact of his actions in the ancient Near East.

Scriptural Depiction of Hazael

The Ascent to Power

The biblical narrative introduces Hazael in the context of the prophetic ministry of Elisha. As a servant to King Ben-hadad of Aram, Hazael’s rise to power is marked by a violent coup, fulfilling a prophecy delivered by Elisha. This episode, narrated in 2 Kings 8:14-15, illustrates a common ancient Near Eastern practice where a king’s servant could ascend the throne through regicide.

Reign and Warfare

Hazael’s reign (842-800 B.C.E.) is portrayed as one of aggression and conflict, particularly with the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. His campaigns against the southern kingdoms are documented in various passages, including a significant encounter where King Joash of Judah offers a tribute to dissuade Hazael from attacking Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:17-18).

Prophetic Foretelling

The biblical prophets, including Elisha and Amos, often spoke of Hazael in the context of divine judgment upon Israel. Elisha’s weeping over the future atrocities that Hazael would commit against the Israelites (2 Kings 8:12) and Amos’s condemnation of Hazael’s brutality (Amos 1:4) serve as testimonies to the king’s harsh rule and the prophetic insight into his character and the geopolitical realities of the time.

In the field of Ancient Epigraphy, there is a historical inscription mentioning Hazael, discovered in a location known today as Afis, situated approximately 40 kilometers or 25 miles southwest of Aleppo. This inscription corroborates the biblical narrative, noting that Hazael’s son, referred to as “Barhadad” in the inscription, succeeded him as the king of Syria, mirroring the biblical character Ben-hadad III.

Records of the military campaigns of Shalmaneser III against Syria are preserved in his annals. These documents recount his victories over Hazael, whom he derisively refers to as a commoner, or more literally, a son of nobody. This is likely due to the fact that Hazael was not of royal lineage but ascended to the throne of Damascus by assassinating King Ben-hadad II. One notable inscription recounts:

“In my eighteenth year of reign, I crossed the Euphrates for the sixteenth time. Hazael of Damascus relied on his vast army and summoned an extensive number of troops, using the mountain Senir, a mountain facing Lebanon, as his fortress. I engaged him in battle and emerged victorious, slaughtering 16,000 of his seasoned warriors. I seized from him 1,121 chariots, 470 horses, as well as his camp. He fled to preserve his life, but I pursued him and laid siege to Damascus, his royal city. There, I destroyed his gardens and then moved on. I marched as far as the Hauran mountains, razing, demolishing, and setting fire to countless towns and carrying an innumerable amount of loot from them.” – (Ancient Near Eastern Texts, edited by J. B. Pritchard, 1974, p. 280)

Despite his triumphs, Shalmaneser III seemingly failed to conquer Damascus itself. It seems that this feat was achieved by Tiglath-pileser III during the reign of the Syrian King Rezin. This fulfilled the prophecy given by Jehovah through Amos: “I will send a fire onto the house of Hazael, and it must devour the dwelling towers of Ben-hadad. And I will break the bar of Damascus.” (Amos 1:4, 5; 2 Kings 16:9)

Shalmane’ser. (fire-worshipper). Shalmaneser was the Assyrian king, who reigned, probably, between Tiglath-Pileser and Sargon, B.C. 727-722. He led the forces of Assyria into Palestine, where Hoshea, the last king of Israel, had revolted against his authority. 2Ki_17:3. Hoshea submitted and consented to pay tribute; but he soon after concluded all alliance with the king of Egypt, and withheld his tribute, in consequence. In B.C. 723, Shalmaneser invaded Palestine for the second time, and, as Hoshea refused to submit, laid siege to Samaria. The siege lasted to the third year, B.C. 721, when the Assyrian arms prevailed. 2Ki_17:4-6; 2Ki_18:9-11. It is uncertain whether Shalmaneser conducted the siege to its close, or whether he did not lose his crown to Sargon, before the city was taken.

Archaeological Corroboration of Hazael’s Reign

The Black Obelisk and Royal Stelae

Shalmaneser III’s Black Obelisk provides a critical extrabiblical reference to Hazael, confirming his existence and military engagements. This stela, together with others, corroborates the biblical account of Hazael’s military prowess and interactions with Assyria. The detailed inscriptions serve as a testament to the historical authenticity of Hazael’s reign and the Assyrian conflicts.

Calah’s Monumental Stone Bulls

Further reinforcing Hazael’s historical footprint are the inscriptions on the stone bulls from Calah (Nimrud), which describe battles between Hazael and Shalmaneser III. These records not only confirm Hazael’s military activities but also provide insights into the political dynamics of the Assyrian-Aramean relations.

Tablets and Inscriptions from Ashur

Additional inscriptions from the city of Ashur offer further evidence of Hazael’s engagements with Assyria, painting a broader picture of his role in regional politics and warfare. These inscriptions enrich our understanding of the era’s historical context, aligning with the biblical portrayal of Hazael as a formidable figure in the ancient Near East.

Inscriptions of Zakkur and Hazael Booty Inscriptions

The “Inscriptions of Zakkur, King of Hamath,” and the Hazael Booty Inscriptions present personal references to Hazael and his lineage, providing a more intimate glimpse into his reign and the cultural milieu of his kingdom. These artifacts contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Hazael’s impact and legacy.

Conclusion: Hazael’s Legacy in Biblical and Archaeological Record

The multifaceted evidence from both the Bible and archaeological discoveries presents a coherent picture of Hazael. The biblical narrative, with its rich theological and prophetic layers, intersects with the tangible vestiges of his reign uncovered in the soil of the ancient Near East. Together, they solidify Hazael’s historicity and offer a vivid portrayal of his role in the tapestry of regional history.

The striking scene of Jehu bowing before Shalmaneser III on the Black Obelisk provides a rare and invaluable visual representation of an Israelite or Judaean monarch in ancient Near Eastern art, showcasing the intricate dynamics between powerful rulers of the time.

Hazael emerges from the annals of history not merely as a character in a sacred text but as a historical figure whose actions left indelible marks on his contemporaries and on the physical landscape. His story exemplifies the veracity of the biblical chronology and the robustness of the historical-grammatical method of interpretation. In examining Hazael, one sees the confluence of scripture and stone, prophecy and politics, and the divine interplay of judgment and kingship. The life of Hazael of Aram encapsulates the complexities of ancient Near Eastern rule and the enduring legacy of a king who, for better or worse, shaped the course of history for the nations of Aram, Israel, and Judah.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).