Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version he said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go to meet the man of God. Consult the LORD through him; ask him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” New Living Translation the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift to the man of God. Then tell him to ask the LORD, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” English Standard Version the king said to Hazael, “Take a present with you and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this sickness?’” Berean Standard Bible So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” Berean Literal Bible And the king said to Hazael, “Take in your hand a gift, and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of YHWH by him, saying, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” King James Bible And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? New King James Version And the king said to Hazael, “Take a present in your hand, and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this disease?’ ” New American Standard Bible And the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” NASB 1995 The king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” NASB 1977 And the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” Legacy Standard Bible And the king said to Hazael, “Take a present in your hand and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of Yahweh by him, saying, ‘Will I be restored to life from this sickness?’” Amplified Bible And the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” Berean Annotated Bible So the king said to Hazael (one who sees God), “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God {Elohim}, and inquire of the LORD {YHWH} through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness? Christian Standard Bible So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go meet the man of God. Inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this sickness? ’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go meet the man of God. Inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?” American Standard Version And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thy hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of Jehovah by him, saying, Shall I recover of this sickness? Contemporary English Version he said to Hazael, "Go meet with Elisha the man of God and get him to ask the LORD if I will get well. And take along a gift for him." English Revised Version And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this sickness? GOD'S WORD® Translation The king told Hazael, "Take a present, and meet the man of God. Ask the LORD through him, 'Will I recover from this illness?'" Good News Translation he said to Hazael, one of his officials, "Take a gift to the prophet and ask him to consult the LORD to find out whether or not I am going to get well." International Standard Version So the king told Hazael, "Take a gift with you and go meet the man of God. Inquire of the LORD through him and ask, 'Will I recover from this sickness?'" NET Bible So the king told Hazael, "Take a gift and go visit the prophet. Request from him an oracle from the LORD. Ask him, 'Will I recover from this sickness?'" New Heart English Bible The king said to Hazael, "Take a present in your hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, 'Will I recover from this sickness?'" Webster's Bible Translation And the king said to 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 disease? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” World English Bible The king said to Hazael, “Take a present in your hand, and go meet the man of God, and inquire of Yahweh by him, saying, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the king says to Hazael, “Take a present in your hand, and go to meet the man of God, and you have sought YHWH by him, saying, Do I revive from this sickness?” Berean Literal Bible And the king said to Hazael, “Take in your hand a gift, and go to meet the man of God, and inquire of YHWH by him, saying, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’” Young's Literal Translation And the king saith unto Hazael, 'Take in thy hand a present, and go to meet the man of God, and thou hast sought Jehovah by him, saying, Do I revive from this sickness?' Smith's Literal Translation And the king will say to Hamel, Take in thy hand a gift, and go to the meeting of the man of God, and seek Jehovah from him, saying, Shall I live from this sickness? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the king said to Hazael: Take with thee presents, and go to meet the man of God, and consult the Lord by him, saying: Can I recover of this my illness? Catholic Public Domain Version And the king said to Hazael: “Take with you gifts. And go to meet the man of God. And consult the Lord through him, saying: ‘Will I be able to escape from this, my infirmity?’ ” New American Bible the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift with you and go call on the man of God. Consult the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this sickness?’ ” New Revised Standard Version the king said to Hazael, “Take a present with you and go to meet the man of God. Inquire of the LORD through him, whether I shall recover from this illness.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the king said to Hazael, Take a present with you and go to meet the prophet of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the King said to Khazail: “Take in your hand a gift and go to meet the Prophet of God, and ask the word of LORD JEHOVAH from him, and say to him “Shall I recover health from this sickness?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And the king said to Azael, Take in thine hand a present, and go to meet the man of God, and enquire of the Lord by him, saying, Shall I recover of this my disease? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Hazael Murders Ben-hadad7Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.” 8So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” 9So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’ ”… Cross References So the king said to Hazael, 2 Kings 1:9 Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” 1 Kings 22:9 So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.” “Take a gift in your hand, 1 Kings 14:3 Take with you ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the boy.” 2 Kings 5:5 “Go now,” said the king of Aram, “and I will send you with a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman departed, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 2 Kings 4:42 Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. go to meet the man of God, 2 Kings 4:25 So she set out and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there is the Shunammite woman. 1 Kings 13:14 and went after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” “I am,” he replied. 1 Kings 14:4 Jeroboam’s wife did as instructed; she arose and went to Shiloh and arrived at Ahijah’s house. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. and inquire of the LORD through him, 2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” 1 Kings 22:7 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?” 1 Kings 22:5 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” 2 Kings 20:1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” 2 Kings 20:5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD. Isaiah 38:1 In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” 2 Kings 1:2-3 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers and instructed them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury.” / But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 1 Kings 14:1-3 At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became ill, / and Jeroboam said to his wife, “Now get up, disguise yourself so they will not recognize you as my wife, and go to Shiloh. For Ahijah the prophet is there; it was he who spoke about my kingship over this people. / Take with you ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the boy.” Treasury of Scripture And the king said to Hazael, Take a present in your hand, and go, meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? Hazael 1 Kings 19:15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: Take 2 Kings 5:5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. 1 Samuel 9:7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? 1 Kings 14:3 And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child. enquire 2 Kings 1:2,6 And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease… 2 Kings 3:11-13 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah… 1 Kings 14:1-4 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick… Jump to Previous Consult Disease Enquire Gift Hand Hazael Haz'ael Inquire Meet Offering Present Recover Revive Sickness SoughtJump to Next Consult Disease Enquire Gift Hand Hazael Haz'ael Inquire Meet Offering Present Recover Revive Sickness Sought2 Kings 8 1. The Shunammite, having left her country seven years, to avoid the famine, 5. for Elisha's miracle's sake has her land restored by the king. 7. Hazael Murders Ben-Hadad and succeeds him 16. Jehoram's wicked reign in Judah 20. Edom and Libnah revolt 23. Ahaziah succeeds Jehoram 25. Ahaziah's wicked reign 28. He visits Joram, being wounded, at Jezreel So the king said to Hazael This phrase introduces us to the king of Aram, Ben-Hadad, who is speaking to Hazael, a high-ranking official in his court. Hazael would later become king himself, as prophesied by Elisha (2 Kings 8:13). The political context here is significant, as Aram (modern-day Syria) was often in conflict with Israel, yet the king seeks counsel from a prophet of Israel, indicating the recognized power and influence of the God of Israel. Take a gift in your hand go to meet the man of God and inquire of the LORD through him ‘Will I recover from this illness?’ Persons / Places / Events 1. King Ben-HadadThe king of Aram (Syria) who is ill and seeks to know if he will recover. 2. Hazael A servant of King Ben-Hadad, who is sent to inquire of the prophet Elisha. 3. Elisha The prophet of God, referred to as the "man of God," who is consulted for divine insight. 4. Aram (Syria) The kingdom ruled by Ben-Hadad, often in conflict with Israel. 5. The LORD The God of Israel, whose guidance is sought through His prophet. Teaching Points Seeking God's GuidanceThe importance of seeking God's will in times of uncertainty and illness. Encouragement to approach God with our questions and concerns, trusting in His wisdom. Role of Prophets and God's Word The role of prophets in the Old Testament as mediators of God's will. Today, we have the complete Word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide us. God's Sovereignty Over Nations God's control and influence over all nations, not just Israel. Understanding that God’s plans often extend beyond our immediate understanding. Faith and Action The act of sending Hazael with a gift reflects a belief in the power of God’s prophet. Encourages believers to act in faith, seeking God’s intervention in their lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 8:8?2. How does 2 Kings 8:8 demonstrate reliance on God's prophetic guidance? 3. What role does Elisha play in revealing God's will in 2 Kings 8:8? 4. How can we seek God's direction in our lives, like in 2 Kings 8:8? 5. What scriptural connections exist between 2 Kings 8:8 and seeking God's wisdom today? 6. How does 2 Kings 8:8 encourage us to trust God's appointed messengers? 7. Why did the king of Aram send Hazael to Elisha in 2 Kings 8:8? 8. How does 2 Kings 8:8 reflect God's sovereignty over nations and leaders? 9. What is the significance of Elisha's role as a prophet in 2 Kings 8:8? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 8? 11. In 2 Kings 8:7-15, is there any archaeological or extrabiblical source confirming Hazael's rise to power exactly as described? 12. In 2 Kings 8:7-15, why does Elisha first tell Hazael the king will recover but then predict his death--does this not seem contradictory? 13. Why does Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:33-34 promise national restoration to Israel if they repent, when other biblical passages suggest God's judgment can remain despite repentance? 14. Who was King Zechariah in the Bible? What Does 2 Kings 8:8 Mean So the king said to Hazael• Ben-hadad, ruler of Aram, is seriously ill (2 Kings 8:7). Instead of consulting false gods, he turns to the one prophet who consistently speaks for the living God—Elisha. • Even a pagan monarch acknowledges the true God’s spokesman, echoing earlier scenes where foreign leaders sought help from God’s people (Genesis 41:38-40; Daniel 2:46-47). • Scripture shows rulers leaning on trusted advisors: Jehoshaphat and Ahab inquired of Micaiah (1 Kings 22:7-8), Xerxes listened to wise men in Persia (Esther 1:13). Yet here the advisor is a military official, Hazael, foreshadowing dramatic change for Aram and Israel (2 Kings 8:11-13). “Take a gift in your hand” • Bringing a present to a prophet was customary and respectful, not an attempt to purchase favor. Saul did the same when seeking Samuel (1 Samuel 9:7-8). • The gift underscores the king’s humility before God’s servant; “A gift opens the way for the giver” (Proverbs 18:16). • Contrast righteous giving with Naaman’s misplaced attempt to pay Elisha (2 Kings 5:15-16). Motive matters; honor is proper, bribery is sin (Deuteronomy 16:19). “Go to meet the man of God” • Elisha’s reputation as “man of God” had been proven through miracles—raising the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:32-37), multiplying bread (2 Kings 4:42-44), and delivering Israel from Aramean armies (2 Kings 6:8-23). • Seeking him shows belief that God speaks through appointed messengers (Amos 3:7). • Jesus later commends this principle: “He who receives a prophet… receives a prophet’s reward” (Matthew 10:41). “And inquire of the LORD through him” • The Aramean king turns to Yahweh, not the idols of Damascus. This recalls the rebuke of Ahaziah who inquired of Baal-zebub and died (2 Kings 1:2-4). • God welcomes seekers from every nation (Isaiah 56:6-7; Acts 10:34-35). Even when motives are mixed, true revelation can lead to judgment or mercy depending on response (Jeremiah 29:13-14). • Elisha serves as mediator, picturing the greater Mediator to come (1 Titus 2:5). “Will I recover from this illness?” • The question is specific: life or death. Hezekiah asked a similar question and received fifteen more years (2 Kings 20:1-6). • Illness reminds us of human frailty (Psalm 90:10-12) and God’s sovereign control over health (Exodus 15:26). • Scripture teaches believers to seek God for healing—“the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick” (James 5:14-16)—yet ultimate outcomes rest in His wise plan (Philippians 1:20). summary 2 Kings 8:8 shows a sick pagan king humbly sending his trusted servant with gifts to Elisha, God’s proven prophet, to learn whether he will live. The verse illustrates proper honor toward God’s messenger, dependence on divine revelation, and the universal reach of the Lord’s authority over health and nations. (8) Hazael.--See Note on 2Kings 8:15. In 1Kings 19:15; 1Kings 19:17 the name is written H?z?h'el; here it is spelt with an etymological allusion, H?z?h'el, i.e., "El hath seen" (foreseen). Hazael appears to have been the highest officer in Ben-hadad s court; Josephus says, "the trustiest of his domestics."Take a present in thine hand.--Comp. Numbers 22:7; 1Samuel 9:7; 2Kings 5:5; 1Kings 14:3. . . . Verse 8. - And the king said unto Hazael. It is implied that Hazael was in attendance on Benhadad in his sick-room, either permanently as a chamberlain, or occasionally as a minister. According to Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 9:4. § 6), he was "the most faithful of the king's domestics" (ὁ πιστότατος τῶν οἱκετῶν). We cannot presume from ver. 12 that he had as yet distinguished himself as a warrior. Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God. It was usual, both among the heathen and among the Israelites, for those who consulted a prophet to bring him a present (see 1 Samuel 9:7; 1 Kings 14:3). Hence, mainly, the great wealth of the Delphic and other oracles. Naaman (2 Kings 5:5) had brought with him a rich present when he went to consult Elisha in Samaria. And inquire of the Lord by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease! The miracles of Elisha had had at any rate this effect - they had convinced the Syrians that Jehovah was a great and powerful God, and made them regard Elisha himself as a true prophet. Their faith in their own superstitions must have been at least partially shaken by these convictions. It was by these and similar weakenings of established errors that the world was gradually educated, and the way prepared for the introduction of Christianity. There was very early among the Syrians a flourishing Christian Church.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So the kingהַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Hazael, חֲזָהאֵ֗ל (ḥă·zā·h·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2371: Hazael -- 'God sees', a king of Aram (Syria) “Take קַ֤ח (qaḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take a gift מִנְחָ֔ה (min·ḥāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering in your hand, בְּיָֽדְךָ֙ (bə·yā·ḏə·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand go וְלֵ֕ךְ (wə·lêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk to meet לִקְרַ֖את (liq·raṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way the man אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of God, הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative and inquire of וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֨ (wə·ḏā·raš·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship the LORD יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH through him, מֵֽאוֹתוֹ֙ (mê·’ō·w·ṯōw) Preposition-m | Direct object marker | third person masculine singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case ‘Will I recover הַאֶחְיֶ֖ה (ha·’eḥ·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 2421: To live, to revive from this זֶֽה׃ (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that illness?’” מֵחֳלִ֥י (mê·ḥo·lî) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2483: Malady, anxiety, calamity Links 2 Kings 8:8 NIV2 Kings 8:8 NLT 2 Kings 8:8 ESV 2 Kings 8:8 NASB 2 Kings 8:8 KJV 2 Kings 8:8 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 8:8 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 8:8 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 8:8 French Bible 2 Kings 8:8 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 8:8 The king said to Hazael Take (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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