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.

2 KINGS 13:3KJV
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2 Kings 13:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 13:3 mean?

2 Kings 13:3 describes how the LORD became angry with Israel and allowed them to be oppressed by Hazael, the king of Syria, and his son Benhadad for a long period. This verse shows that Israel’s troubles came as a result of God’s anger toward them.

In this part of the story, the writer is explaining why Israel faced ongoing hardship from their neighbors. The people of Israel had turned away from God, so the LORD (the covenant name for God) responded by letting foreign rulers have power over them. The verse sets the stage for understanding the struggles Israel faced during this time in their history.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 13:3

  • "anger" (אַף, ʾaf): This word often refers to the nose or nostrils, but in Hebrew it is a common way to speak of anger, especially God’s anger. It paints a picture of strong emotion, not just mild displeasure.
  • "kindled" (חָרָה, charah): This verb means to burn or become hot. Here, it shows that God’s anger was not passive but active and intense.
  • "delivered" (נָתַן, natan): This word means to give or hand over. The verse says God actively handed Israel over to their enemies, not just allowed it to happen by chance.
  • "hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, being in someone’s "hand" means being under their power or control. Israel was placed directly under the authority of these foreign kings.

Why 2 Kings 13:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s suffering was not random but was directly connected to their relationship with God and their actions.
  • The use of strong Hebrew words for anger and handing over emphasizes that God was personally involved in the events, not distant or uninterested.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the larger pattern in 2 Kings, where Israel’s fortunes rise and fall based on their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God.

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 12:18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.

“Benhadad” Hebrew H1130 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
  • 1 Kings 20:16 And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
  • 2 Kings 8:7 And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.

“kindled” Hebrew H2734 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
  • Deuteronomy 6:15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

“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.