King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 8:9 Mean?

2 Kings 8:9 in the King James Version says “So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? with: Heb. in his hand

2 Kings 8:9 · King James Version


Context

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.

8

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?

9

So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Benhadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease? with: Heb. in his hand

10

And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die.

11

And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept. stedfastly: Heb. and set it


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
So Hazael went to meet him, and took a present with him, even of every good thing of Damascus, forty camels' burden, and came and stood before him, and said, Thy son Ben-hadad king of Syria hath sent me to thee, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 8: Prophetic word shapes national events. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 8 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Elisha's International Influence) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 8 regarding prophetic word shapes national events?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ1 of 27
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

חֲזָאֵל֮2 of 27

So Hazael

H2371

chazael, a king of syria

לִקְרָאתוֹ֒3 of 27

to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וַיִּקַּ֨ח4 of 27

him and took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִנְחָ֤ה5 of 27

a present

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

בְיָדוֹ֙6 of 27

with him

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְכָל7 of 27
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

ט֣וּב8 of 27

even of every good thing

H2898

good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare

דַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק9 of 27

of Damascus

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

מַשָּׂ֖א10 of 27

burden

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים11 of 27

forty

H705

forty

גָּמָ֑ל12 of 27

camels

H1581

a camel

וַיָּבֹא֙13 of 27

and came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד14 of 27

and stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנָ֔יו15 of 27

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לֵאמֹ֔ר16 of 27

him and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בִּנְךָ֙17 of 27

Thy son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בֶן18 of 27
H0
הֲדַ֤ד19 of 27

Benhadad

H1130

ben-hadad, the name of several syrian kings, possibly a royal title

מֶֽלֶךְ20 of 27

king

H4428

a king

אֲרָם֙21 of 27

of Syria

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

שְׁלָחַ֤נִי22 of 27

hath sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙23 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹ֔ר24 of 27

him and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַאֶֽחְיֶ֖ה25 of 27

Shall I recover

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

מֵֽחֳלִ֥י26 of 27

of this disease

H2483

malady, anxiety, calamity

זֶֽה׃27 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 8:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 8:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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