Hazael

Hazael is a biblical name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God sees", derived from the elements ḥaza ("to see") and ʾel ("God"). In 1 Kings 19:15, God instructs the prophet Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Syria, though the anointing itself is performed by Elijah's successor, Elisha, symbolizing divine election. The name appears again later when Hazael, serving as a court official under King Ben-Hadad II (also known as Hadadezer), visits Elisha to inquire about the king's illness. Elisha foretells that Ben-Hadad will recover but will be assassinated by Hazael himself, which comes to pass.

Historical Context

Hazael reigned as king of Aram-Damascus in the 9th century BCE, a period during which Aram-Damascus expanded into a significant empire encroaching on both modern-day Syria and the Kingdom of Israel. The Bible records Hazael's military campaigns against Israel, culminating in the conquest of territories east of the Jordan River, as described in 2 Kings 10:32–33. The Tel Dan stele, an Aramaic inscription discovered in northern Israel, is attributed to Hazael and provides extra-biblical evidence of his exploits, recording a victory over the kingdoms of Israel and the "House of David."

Notable Bearers

• King Hazael of Aram-Damascus: The sole biblical and historical bearer of this name, his career is primarily known through biblical accounts and ancient Near Eastern sources, highlighting his role as a significant adversary of Israel.

Related Names

Chaza'el is the Biblical Hebrew equivalent of the name, forming the direct link to the original Semitic pronunciation recorded in the Bible.

Key Facts

• Meaning: "God sees"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First Name
• Usage Regions: English Bible translations
• Related Names: Chaza'el