And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?

2 KINGS 8:8KJV
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2 Kings 8:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 8:8 mean?

2 Kings 8:8 describes the king instructing Hazael to take a gift and visit the prophet Elisha, asking him to seek an answer from the LORD about whether the king will recover from his illness. The verse shows the king’s hope that the prophet can reveal God’s will about his health.

In this scene, the king of Aram (Ben-Hadad) is seriously ill and sends his official, Hazael, to Elisha, who is known as a "man of God." The king asks Hazael to bring a present (a common gesture of respect or hope for favor) and to inquire on his behalf if he will survive his disease. This moment highlights the king’s desperation and his recognition of Elisha’s connection to God, even though he is not an Israelite king.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 8:8

  • מִנְחָה (minchah, “present”): This word means a gift or offering, often used for both religious and diplomatic purposes. The king’s use of a minchah shows he is seeking favor or a positive response from Elisha, treating the prophet with high respect.
  • דָּרַשׁ (darash, “enquire”): This verb means to seek, ask, or consult. Here, it emphasizes that the king is not just asking Elisha for advice, but is seeking a divine answer from the LORD through the prophet.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, “LORD”): The king specifically asks to inquire of the LORD, the God of Israel, showing that even foreign rulers recognized the authority and power of Israel’s God in matters of life and death.

Why 2 Kings 8:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that even powerful foreign kings sometimes sought guidance from Israel’s prophets, showing Elisha’s reputation extended beyond Israel.
  • The king’s use of a present (minchah) and his request for a divine answer highlight the seriousness of his illness and his belief in the prophet’s access to God.
  • The verse sets up the following events, where Hazael’s role becomes crucial in the story of Aram and Israel, and it marks a turning point in the relationship between these nations.

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 8:28 And he went with Joram the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramothgilead; and the Syrians wounded Joram.
  • 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.

“disease” Hebrew H2483 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:15 And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
  • Isaiah 1:5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

“meet” Hebrew H7125 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • Judges 6:35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
  • 2 Samuel 19:25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?