Elisha answered, "Go and tell him, 'You will surely recover.' But the LORD has shown me that in fact he will die." Elisha answeredElisha, the prophet, is a central figure in this narrative. His role as a prophet is to convey God's messages to the people of Israel and surrounding nations. The Hebrew root for "Elisha" is אֱלִישָׁע (Elisha), meaning "God is salvation." This name reflects his divine mission and the power of God working through him. Elisha's presence in this account underscores the importance of divine guidance and the prophetic voice in the history of Israel. Go and say to him
This phrase indicates a directive from Elisha to a messenger. The act of sending a message is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context, where communication often involved intermediaries. The Hebrew verb for "say" is אָמַר (amar), which is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote the act of speaking or declaring. This highlights the authority and responsibility of the messenger to accurately convey the prophet's words. ‘You will surely recover,’
This statement is intriguing because it seems to promise healing. The Hebrew phrase used here is חָיָה תִּחְיֶה (chayah tichyeh), which literally means "living you shall live." This repetition emphasizes certainty and assurance. However, the context reveals a deeper layer of meaning, as Elisha's words are part of a larger divine plan. This phrase challenges readers to consider the complexity of prophetic messages and the sovereignty of God in determining outcomes. But the LORD has shown me
Here, Elisha acknowledges the source of his prophetic insight. The phrase "the LORD has shown me" indicates divine revelation. The Hebrew word for "shown" is הִרְאָה (hir'ah), which means to see or reveal. This emphasizes the intimate relationship between the prophet and God, where God discloses His will and future events. It reminds believers of the importance of seeking God's guidance and trusting in His omniscience. that he will surely die
This concluding phrase presents a stark contrast to the earlier assurance of recovery. The Hebrew phrase מוֹת יָמוּת (mot yamut) translates to "dying he shall die," again using repetition for emphasis. This serves as a sobering reminder of the inevitability of God's will and the limitations of human understanding. It challenges readers to trust in God's ultimate plan, even when it appears contradictory or difficult to comprehend. The juxtaposition of life and death in this verse invites reflection on the transient nature of human life and the eternal perspective of God's purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God, successor to Elijah, known for his miracles and guidance to the kings of Israel. 2. Ben-HadadThe king of Aram (Syria) who was ill and sought a prophecy regarding his recovery. 3. HazaelA servant of Ben-Hadad who was sent to inquire of Elisha about the king's illness and later became king himself. 4. Aram (Syria)A neighboring nation to Israel, often in conflict with Israel during the time of the kings. 5. The ProphecyElisha's message to Hazael, which contained a dual aspect—an immediate assurance of recovery and a longer-term prophecy of death. Teaching Points The Complexity of ProphecyProphecies can have multiple layers and fulfillments. Elisha's message to Hazael demonstrates that God's word can address both immediate and future realities. God's SovereigntyDespite human plans and actions, God's purposes prevail. This is evident in the way Elisha's prophecy unfolds, reminding us to trust in God's ultimate control over our lives. The Deceptive Nature of SinHazael's actions reveal how sin can lead to betrayal and murder. We must guard our hearts against the deceitfulness of sin and its potential to lead us astray. The Role of a ProphetElisha's role as a prophet was to convey God's truth, even when it was difficult or complex. As believers, we are called to speak truth in love, guided by the Holy Spirit. The Uncertainty of LifeBen-Hadad's situation reminds us of life's unpredictability and the importance of living in accordance with God's will, acknowledging that our days are in His hands. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elisha's prophecy to Hazael demonstrate the complexity of God's messages to His people? 2. In what ways does the account of Ben-Hadad and Hazael illustrate the sovereignty of God over human affairs? 3. How can we guard our hearts against the deceitfulness of sin, as seen in Hazael's actions? 4. What can we learn from Elisha's role as a prophet about speaking truth in today's world? 5. How does the uncertainty of Ben-Hadad's fate encourage us to live with an awareness of God's will in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 8:15This verse describes the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy, where Hazael kills Ben-Hadad and becomes king. 1 Kings 19:15-17God instructs Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, showing the divine orchestration behind these events. Proverbs 19:21This verse highlights the sovereignty of God's plans over human intentions, relevant to the dual prophecy given by Elisha. James 4:13-15This passage speaks to the uncertainty of life and the importance of acknowledging God's will, paralleling the unexpected outcome of Ben-Hadad's situation. People Ahab, Ahaziah, Aram, Athaliah, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, David, Edomites, Elisha, Gehazi, Hadad, Hazael, Israelites, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jezreel, Joram, Omri, SyriansPlaces Damascus, Edom, Jerusalem, Jezreel, Libnah, Ramah, Ramoth-gilead, Samaria, Syria, ZairTopics Better, Certainly, Clear, Death, Die, Elisha, Eli'sha, Fact, Howbeit, However, Mayest, Recover, Revealed, Revive, Seeing, Shewed, Shewn, Showed, Shown, Surely, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 8:10 1403 God, revelation
8135 knowing God, nature of
9130 future, the Library The Story of Hazael
'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 Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? 10. And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 11. And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. 12. And Hazael said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHazael
BY REV. J. G. GREENHOUGH, M.A. "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?"--2 KINGS viii. 13. Hazael was the chief minister and prime favourite of Benhadad, the Syrian king. He had been raised from a humble lot and promoted to that high post by the partiality of his sovereign, who had doubtless discerned his exceptional abilities, and certainly placed implicit trust in him. Just now the king was dangerously ill, and Hazael had been sent to inquire of the prophet of Israel …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Christ's Prophetic Office
'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet,' &c. Deut 18:85. Having spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ. These are Prophetic, Priestly, and Regal. 'The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet.' Enunciatur hic locus de Christo. It is spoken of Christ.' There are several names given to Christ as a Prophet. He is called the Counsellor' in Isa 9:9. In uno Christo Angelus foederis completur [The Messenger of the Covenant appears in Christ alone]. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
WHEN St. Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his duty as a minister, he mentioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. After speaking of aged men and aged women, and young women, he adds this pithy advice, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded" (Tit. 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle's advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men. I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 8:10 NIV2 Kings 8:10 NLT2 Kings 8:10 ESV2 Kings 8:10 NASB2 Kings 8:10 KJV
2 Kings 8:10 Commentaries
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