2 Kings 12:17

KJV

¶ Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Hazael {H2371} king {H4428} of Syria {H758} went up {H5927}, and fought {H3898} against Gath {H1661}, and took {H3920} it: and Hazael {H2371} set {H7760} his face {H6440} to go up {H5927} to Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Haza'el king of Aram went up and fought against Gat; and after capturing it, Haza'el made his decision to attack Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

At that time Hazael king of Aram marched up and fought against Gath and captured it. Then he decided to attack Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it; and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 12:17 captures a pivotal and ominous moment in the reign of King Joash of Judah, detailing the relentless military campaign of Hazael, the formidable king of Aram (Syria). Having already demonstrated his might by conquering the strategically important Philistine city of Gath, Hazael's immediate and determined intention to march upon Jerusalem signaled an imminent and grave threat to the capital of Judah, highlighting the kingdom's precarious geopolitical position and its vulnerability to powerful regional adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of King Joash's reign over Judah, a period primarily characterized by significant efforts to repair and restore the Temple in Jerusalem, as detailed in [2 Kings 12:4-16](/2_kings/12-4 "2 Kings 12:4-16 - Joash's Temple Repairs"). The preceding verses emphasize Joash's piety and his commitment to the house of the Lord, making the sudden appearance of Hazael's aggressive campaign a stark contrast and an immediate challenge to the kingdom's stability. The verse immediately follows the account of the successful Temple restoration, setting up the subsequent narrative in [2 Kings 12:18](/2_kings/12-18 "2 Kings 12:18 - Joash's Appeasement of Hazael"), where Joash is forced to appease Hazael with Temple treasures, underscoring the severity of the threat and Judah's desperate response. This sequence highlights the fragile security of Judah, even under a righteous king, in the face of overwhelming external power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hazael was a powerful and ruthless king of Aram-Damascus, whose ascent to power was even prophesied by the prophet Elisha, foretelling the devastation he would bring upon Israel ([2 Kings 8:12-13](/2_kings/8-12 "2 Kings 8:12-13 - Elisha's Prophecy to Hazael")). He had already inflicted severe damage upon the northern kingdom of Israel, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy. Gath, one of the five major Philistine cities, was strategically located on the western edge of Judah's territory, controlling vital trade routes and serving as a buffer against coastal powers. Its conquest by Hazael demonstrated his military prowess and established a forward base for his further expansion. Jerusalem, as the capital of Judah and the site of the Temple, represented the heart of the Davidic kingdom and the religious center of the Israelite faith. A direct threat to Jerusalem was not merely a military concern but a theological one, challenging the perceived divine protection over the city and the Davidic dynasty.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several key themes prevalent in 2 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it underscores the **vulnerability of God's people and their kingdoms** to external forces, even when internal spiritual reforms are underway, as seen with Joash's temple repairs. This serves as a reminder that divine protection is not automatic but often contingent on faithfulness and trust, as well as a reflection of God's sovereign use of foreign nations as instruments, whether for judgment or testing ([Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Rod")). Secondly, it highlights the **nature of external threats** and the constant geopolitical pressures faced by Judah and Israel. Hazael's determined advance embodies a relentless, formidable opposition. Lastly, the narrative implicitly raises questions about **divine sovereignty and human response** in the face of such threats, foreshadowing Joash's difficult decision to appease Hazael rather than relying solely on military defense or divine intervention, a recurring pattern in the history of the divided monarchy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hazael (Hebrew, _Ḥazā’ēl'_):** A significant figure in the history of Israel and Judah during the 9th century BCE, Hazael was a usurper who seized the throne of Aram-Damascus. His reign was marked by aggressive military expansion, particularly against Israel and Judah, fulfilling the prophecy of Elisha ([2 Kings 8:12-13](/2_kings/8-12 "2 Kings 8:12-13 - Elisha's Prophecy to Hazael")). His name, possibly meaning "God has seen," ironically contrasts with his role as an instrument of divine judgment against God's people. His actions here underscore the power of external nations as agents in God's broader historical plan.
* **Gath (Hebrew, _Gat'_):** One of the five principal cities of the Philistines, located strategically on the border between Philistia and Judah. Its capture by Hazael was a major military achievement, demonstrating his strength and providing him a staging ground closer to Jerusalem. Historically, Gath was a powerful city, home to Goliath ([1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath of Gath")) and a frequent point of conflict or refuge in the narratives of David and the kings. Its fall to Hazael signifies a shift in regional power dynamics.
* **"set his face" (Hebrew, _śām pānāw'_):** This is a powerful Hebrew idiom indicating a firm, resolute, and unwavering determination to achieve a specific goal. It conveys an unswerving commitment, implying that Hazael's decision to go to Jerusalem was not a casual thought but a fixed and irreversible resolve. The phrase emphasizes the intentionality and directness of his hostile intent, leaving no doubt about the imminent danger facing Jerusalem. It is used elsewhere in scripture to denote strong resolve, such as when the prophet Jeremiah "set his face" to go to Egypt ([Jeremiah 42:15](/jeremiah/42-15 "Jeremiah 42:15 - Jeremiah Sets His Face Toward Egypt")) or when Jesus "set his face" to go to Jerusalem ([Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it:"** This clause establishes Hazael's military dominance and expansionist agenda. "Went up" implies an advance or ascent, often used for military campaigns. His direct engagement "fought against Gath" confirms a deliberate and successful siege. The phrase "and took it" signifies a complete conquest, highlighting his formidable power and the fall of a significant Philistine stronghold. This act positions him geographically and militarily closer to Judah's capital.
* **"and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem."** This second clause reveals Hazael's ultimate objective and his unwavering resolve. The repetition of "Hazael" emphasizes his personal agency and determination. The idiom "set his face" powerfully conveys his fixed intention, indicating that Jerusalem was his next, predetermined target. "To go up to Jerusalem" signifies a direct and imminent military campaign against the capital city of Judah, posing a direct threat to the Davidic dynasty and the Temple.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Hazael's conquest of Gath and his determined march on Jerusalem immediately set the stage for the desperate measures Joash will take in the following verse ([2 Kings 12:18](/2_kings/12-18 "2 Kings 12:18 - Joash's Appeasement of Hazael")), where he strips the Temple and palace of their treasures to appease the Syrian king. There is a strong sense of **Irony** in the narrative's placement: immediately after the detailed account of Joash's successful and pious efforts to repair the Temple, an external threat emerges that directly imperils the very sanctuary he labored to restore. The **Repetition** of "Hazael" emphasizes his singular and determined agency in this aggressive expansion. Furthermore, the use of the vivid **Idiom** "set his face" powerfully conveys Hazael's unswerving resolve, making his intent unequivocally clear to the reader and heightening the sense of impending doom for Jerusalem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, depicting the formidable Hazael's advance on Jerusalem, serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and their leaders, even those who act with seemingly autonomous and hostile intent. While Hazael's actions appear to be purely geopolitical, the biblical narrative often portrays such foreign aggressors as instruments in God's hands, whether for judgment, discipline, or to test the faith of His people. The vulnerability of Judah, even under a king like Joash who was dedicated to Temple restoration, underscores that true security does not lie solely in physical defenses or even religious rituals, but in a deeper reliance on God's protection and faithfulness. This incident highlights the recurring biblical theme that God can use unexpected and powerful adversaries to achieve His purposes, sometimes to humble His people or to call them to deeper repentance and trust.

* [2 Kings 8:12-13](/2_kings/8-12 "Elisha's Prophecy Concerning Hazael")
* [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5 "Assyria as God's Rod of Anger")
* [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "God Rules in the Kingdom of Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Hazael's aggressive advance on Jerusalem, despite Joash's efforts to restore the Temple, offers profound lessons for believers today. It illustrates that even when we are diligently engaged in "good works" or spiritual restoration within our own lives or communities, external threats and formidable opposition can unexpectedly arise. This verse calls us to a posture of spiritual vigilance, recognizing that our peace and security are not guaranteed by our own efforts or circumstances, but ultimately rest in God's sovereign hand. When faced with overwhelming challenges or "Hazael-like" threats in our lives—be they spiritual attacks, financial crises, health struggles, or relational conflicts—this passage encourages us to acknowledge our vulnerability and to place our ultimate trust not in our own strength or resources, but in the Lord. It reminds us that God is able to protect, deliver, or even use such trials to refine our faith and deepen our dependence on Him. Our response to such determined opposition reveals where our true hope lies.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when unexpected and formidable threats emerge in my life, especially when I feel I am doing "all the right things"?**
* **Where do I tend to place my trust for security and protection: in my own efforts, in human systems, or in God's sovereign care?**
* **In what ways might God use external pressures or adversaries to deepen my dependence on Him or to reveal areas where I need to grow in faith?**
* **What does "setting one's face" toward a goal mean in my spiritual life, particularly in pursuing God's will despite opposition?**

### FAQ
**Who was Hazael and why was he such a significant threat?**

Answer: Hazael was a powerful and ruthless king of Aram-Damascus (Syria) who came to power through usurpation. His reign, spanning approximately 842-800 BCE, was marked by aggressive military expansion. He was a formidable adversary to both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, having inflicted significant defeats upon Israel, as prophesied by Elisha ([2 Kings 8:12-13](/2_kings/8-12 "2 Kings 8:12-13 - Elisha's Prophecy Concerning Hazael")). His threat to Judah was significant because he had already demonstrated his military might by conquering Gath, a major Philistine city, and his determined march on Jerusalem signaled an imminent siege of Judah's capital and religious center.

**What was the significance of Gath in this context?**

Answer: Gath was one of the five major Philistine city-states, strategically located on the western border of Judah. Its capture by Hazael was highly significant for several reasons: it demonstrated his overwhelming military strength, as Gath was a well-fortified city; it provided Hazael with a forward operating base much closer to Jerusalem, enabling a direct and rapid advance; and it showed the extent of his territorial ambitions, pushing his control further south and west into areas traditionally contested by Israel and Judah. The fall of Gath underscored the immediate and tangible nature of the threat to Jerusalem.

**How did Judah and King Joash respond to Hazael's advance on Jerusalem?**

Answer: The immediate response of King Joash to Hazael's determined advance is detailed in the very next verse, [2 Kings 12:18](/2_kings/12-18 "2 Kings 12:18 - Joash's Appeasement of Hazael"). Faced with an overwhelming and seemingly unstoppable force, Joash chose appeasement rather than direct military confrontation. He gathered all the sacred objects and treasures that his predecessors had dedicated, along with all the gold found in the treasuries of the Temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and sent them as tribute to Hazael. This desperate act successfully averted a full-scale siege of Jerusalem, causing Hazael to withdraw.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Hazael's determined advance on Jerusalem in [2 Kings 12:17](/2_kings/12-17 "2 Kings 12:17 - Hazael Threatens Jerusalem") foreshadows the ultimate vulnerability of all earthly kingdoms and the need for a King and a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. While Jerusalem, the city of David and the dwelling place of God's Temple, was repeatedly threatened and eventually conquered by earthly powers, its struggles point to a deeper spiritual reality. In Christ, we find the true and unshakable Jerusalem, the "city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" ([Hebrews 12:22](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")). Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), is the ultimate Temple, whose body was destroyed and raised in three days, offering a perfect and eternal sacrifice ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). The threats faced by the earthly kingdom of Judah, and their reliance on material appeasement, highlight the inadequacy of human solutions to spiritual problems. Christ, however, faced the ultimate enemy, sin and death, not by appeasement but by decisive victory on the cross, disarming the spiritual powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His kingdom is not of this world, and thus cannot be threatened or conquered by earthly forces ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). Believers, as citizens of this heavenly kingdom, find their ultimate security and protection in Christ, whose reign is eternal and whose victory over all adversaries is absolute ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 24:23

And it came to pass at the end of the year, [that] the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.

2 Chronicles 24:24

For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.

Jeremiah 42:15

And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;

Luke 9:53

And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

1 Kings 2:39

And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants [be] in Gath.

1 Kings 2:40

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.

2 Kings 8:12

And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.