Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.

2 KINGS 12:17KJV
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2 Kings 12:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 12:17 mean?

2 Kings 12:17 describes how Hazael, the king of Syria, attacked and captured the city of Gath, and then prepared to advance toward Jerusalem. The verse highlights a moment when Jerusalem was threatened by a powerful foreign ruler after he had already succeeded in taking another important city.

In this verse, the narrative is reporting events during the reign of King Joash of Judah. Hazael’s campaign against Gath, a significant Philistine city, shows his military strength and ambition. The phrase about Hazael setting his face to go up to Jerusalem means he was determined and had made plans to attack Jerusalem next, setting the stage for a crisis for the people of Judah.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 12:17

  • The word "set" (שָׂם, sām) paired with "face" (פָּנִים, pānîm) is a Hebrew expression meaning to firmly decide or resolve to do something. Here, it emphasizes Hazael’s determined intention to attack Jerusalem, not just a casual plan.
  • "Fought" (לָחַם, lāḥam) indicates active warfare, making it clear that Gath was taken by force, not negotiation or surrender.
  • "Went up" (עָלָה, ʿālāh) is often used for traveling to higher or more important places, and in biblical texts, "going up" to Jerusalem also carries a sense of moving toward a significant, often sacred, destination.

Why 2 Kings 12:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jerusalem’s danger was immediate and real, coming from a king who had just conquered another strong city, not a distant or theoretical threat.
  • The mention of Gath shows Hazael’s campaign was not just against Judah but involved other regional powers, underlining the seriousness of the situation.
  • The verse sets up the following events, where King Joash must respond to this threat, helping readers understand the pressures and decisions facing Judah’s leadership at this point in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Hazael” Hebrew H2371 · used in 21 verses

  • 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:
  • 2 Kings 8:15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 13:3 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, all their days.

“Gath” Hebrew H1661 · used in 31 verses

  • Joshua 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
  • 1 Samuel 27:3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

“took” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
  • Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

“Syria” Hebrew H758 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • 1 Kings 22:35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even threescore cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.