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 13:3KJVWhat 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.