2 Kings 13:22

KJV

But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Hazael {H2371} king {H4428} of Syria {H758} oppressed {H3905} Israel {H3478} all the days {H3117} of Jehoahaz {H3059}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Haza'el king of Aram oppressed Isra'el throughout the lifetime of Y'ho'achaz;

Berean Standard Bible

And Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz.

American Standard Version

And Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 13:22 vividly portrays a period of profound and relentless suffering for the Northern Kingdom of Israel under the reign of King Jehoahaz. This verse underscores the continuous and severe oppression inflicted upon Israel by Hazael, the powerful king of Syria, emphasizing that this hardship persisted throughout the entirety of Jehoahaz's rule as a direct consequence of Israel's persistent spiritual rebellion and idolatry against the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of King Jehoahaz's seventeen-year reign over Israel, detailed in [2 Kings 13:1-9](/2_kings/13-1-9 "2 Kings 13:1-9 - The Reign of Jehoahaz"). The preceding verses establish Jehoahaz's profound spiritual apostasy, explicitly stating that he "did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord" and perpetuated the idolatrous practices of Jeroboam, particularly the worship of the golden calves in Bethel and Dan ([2 Kings 13:2](/2_kings/13-2 "2 Kings 13:2 - Jehoahaz's Evil Reign")). The oppression by Hazael, initially mentioned in [2 Kings 13:3](/2_kings/13-3 "2 Kings 13:3 - God's Anger and Deliverance"), is presented not as a random geopolitical event, but as a direct, divinely ordained consequence of Israel's spiritual decline and a manifestation of God's righteous anger. Despite the severity of this prolonged oppression, the narrative later reveals Jehoahaz's desperate cry to the Lord ([2 Kings 13:4](/2_kings/13-4 "2 Kings 13:4 - Jehoahaz's Prayer")), and God's subsequent provision of a deliverer ([2 Kings 13:5](/2_kings/13-5 "2 Kings 13:5 - God Provides a Deliverer")), illustrating a recurring biblical pattern of sin, divine judgment, a plea for mercy, and eventual, albeit often temporary, deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 2 Kings 13 are set in the late 9th century BCE, a tumultuous era for the ancient Near East. Syria, specifically the Aramean kingdom of Aram-Damascus, had risen as a formidable regional power. Its king, Hazael, was a ruthless and militarily astute leader who had seized the Syrian throne through a violent coup, a fact remarkably prophesied by the prophet Elisha to Hazael himself in [2 Kings 8:12-13](/2_kings/8-12-13 "2 Kings 8:12-13 - Elisha's Prophecy to Hazael"). Hazael's reign was characterized by aggressive military expansion and relentless campaigns against neighboring states, including both Israel and Judah. Israel, severely weakened by internal political instability, moral decay, and persistent spiritual apostasy, was particularly vulnerable to Hazael's incursions. The "oppression" described in this verse would have encompassed not only devastating military defeats and significant territorial losses but also severe economic exploitation through exorbitant tribute payments, forced labor, and the systematic destruction of agricultural lands and infrastructure, leading to widespread poverty, famine, and profound suffering among the Israelite populace.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes foundational to the book of Kings and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it profoundly underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, illustrating how God, in His perfect justice, uses foreign nations as instruments of discipline for His covenant people when they persistently violate their covenant obligations. This aligns precisely with the covenant curses articulated in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), which promised affliction for disobedience. Secondly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God over Nations**, demonstrating that even powerful, pagan kings like Hazael are ultimately under God's supreme control and serve His divine purposes, whether for judgment or to prompt repentance. This concept is echoed in passages like [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5-7 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Instrument"). Thirdly, the phrase "all the days of Jehoahaz" emphasizes the **Relentless Nature of Oppression** as a consequence of sin, portraying a prolonged, pervasive, and inescapable period of national distress that deeply impacted Israel's daily life, national identity, and sense of security. This continuous suffering was intended by God to bring Israel to a point of recognition, humility, and genuine repentance before their covenant God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hazael (Hebrew, _Chăzâʼêl'_):** From the roots meaning "God has seen," Hazael was the king of Syria (Aram-Damascus) who seized power through a coup and became a formidable oppressor of Israel. His name, ironically, means "God has seen," suggesting divine awareness of his actions, even as he was used as an instrument of judgment against Israel. His reign marked a period of intense pressure on Israel, fulfilling earlier prophecies.
* **oppressed (Hebrew, _lâḥaṣ'_):** This verb means "to press," "to squeeze," "to crush," or "to afflict." It conveys a strong, visceral sense of being under continuous, heavy pressure and hardship. Beyond mere military defeat, it implies economic exploitation, political subjugation, and a general state of distress and constriction that stifled the nation's vitality. The use of this word vividly portrays the severe, pervasive, and inescapable burden Israel bore under Hazael's rule, suggesting a lack of freedom and constant duress.
* **days (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** While literally meaning "day," in the phrase "all the days," this word (yôwm) emphasizes the duration and relentlessness of the oppression. It signifies that the suffering was not a brief skirmish or an intermittent threat, but a continuous, pervasive, and inescapable reality throughout the entirety of Jehoahaz's reign. This highlights the profound and inescapable nature of the divine discipline, leaving no period of respite for the nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Hazael king of Syria":** This initial clause identifies the specific human agent of the oppression. Hazael, the powerful Aramean king, is presented as a formidable and relentless adversary, a foreign ruler who, unbeknownst to him, served as God's instrument of judgment against Israel. His identity underscores the external and overwhelming nature of the threat that God brought against His disobedient people.
* **"oppressed Israel":** This central phrase describes the action and its victim. The oppression was multifaceted, encompassing devastating military defeats, significant territorial losses, severe economic exploitation through tribute and plunder, and general subjugation. "Israel" here refers specifically to the Northern Kingdom, which bore the brunt of Hazael's relentless campaigns due to its geographical proximity to Aram-Damascus and its persistent spiritual apostasy.
* **"all the days of Jehoahaz":** This final clause specifies the duration of the oppression, emphasizing its continuous and unwavering nature. For the entire seventeen-year reign of King Jehoahaz, the people of Israel lived under the heavy yoke of Syrian domination. This prolonged suffering served as a constant, inescapable reminder of their covenant unfaithfulness and the severe, disciplinary hand of God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful and somber message. **Emphasis** is achieved through the phrase "all the days of Jehoahaz," which starkly highlights the prolonged, unceasing, and pervasive nature of the oppression, underscoring the severity and duration of God's disciplinary hand. There is a profound element of **Irony** in God using a pagan king, Hazael—a figure whose rise to power and destructive actions were remarkably prophesied by Elisha ([2 Kings 8:12-13](/2_kings/8-12-13 "2 Kings 8:12-13 - Elisha's Prophecy to Hazael"))—as the direct instrument of His judgment against His own covenant people. This powerfully demonstrates God's absolute **Sovereignty**, revealing that even foreign adversaries and their seemingly independent actions are ultimately subservient to His divine purposes. The verse also functions as a concise yet impactful **Summary Statement**, encapsulating the dominant and defining experience of Israel during Jehoahaz's reign and setting the grim stage for the subsequent narrative of Jehoahaz's desperate cry to the Lord and God's eventual, albeit temporary, provision of a deliverer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the enduring biblical principle that persistent disobedience to God's covenant leads to severe and often prolonged consequences. The relentless oppression by Hazael is not a random historical event but a direct fulfillment of the warnings given in the Mosaic Law, particularly the curses pronounced upon Israel for unfaithfulness (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - Oppression by Enemies")). God, in His perfect justice and unwavering commitment to His covenant, allows external forces to become instruments of discipline, aiming to humble His people, bring them to repentance, and ultimately restore their relationship with Him. This pattern of sin, judgment, and the call to repentance is consistently observed throughout Israel's history, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even through the painful means of judgment. The severity and duration of the oppression underscore the gravity of Israel's persistent idolatry and their profound rejection of the Lord's commands.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Judges 2:14-15](/judges/2-14-15 "Judges 2:14-15 - God's Discipline in Judges")
* [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5-6 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Rod")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The relentless oppression faced by Israel under Hazael serves as a profound and sobering reminder that choices, particularly spiritual ones, carry significant and often far-reaching consequences. This historical account challenges us to deeply consider our own walk with God, prompting us to honestly examine areas where we might be drifting from His revealed will or embracing "idols"—anything that competes for our ultimate allegiance and devotion. While undeniably painful, divine discipline, as exemplified here, is often a profound demonstration of God's unwavering love and faithfulness, intended not to destroy, but to draw us back into a deeper, more reliant, and more intimate relationship with Him. It teaches us that even in prolonged periods of hardship, adversity, or what might feel like "oppression" in our own lives, God remains absolutely sovereign, capable of using difficult circumstances to refine our faith, humble our hearts, and ultimately lead us to a place of repentance, renewed trust, and spiritual growth. Our response to such "oppressions"—whether we learn from them and turn back to God, or harden our hearts further—determines the trajectory of our spiritual journey.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the prolonged suffering of Israel under Hazael challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice, mercy, and His use of adversity?**
* **In what ways might God be allowing "oppression" or difficult circumstances in your life today to draw you closer to Him and refine your character?**
* **What specific lessons can we learn from Israel's experience about the consequences of persistent disobedience and the vital importance of timely repentance and returning to God?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow Hazael to oppress Israel so severely and for so long?**

Answer: God allowed Hazael to oppress Israel as a direct consequence and divine judgment for their persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. King Jehoahaz, like many before him, continued in the egregious sins of Jeroboam, particularly the worship of the golden calves in Bethel and Dan ([2 Kings 13:2](/2_kings/13-2 "2 Kings 13:2 - Jehoahaz's Evil Reign")). This severe and prolonged oppression was a form of discipline, intended to humble the nation, break their stubborn rebellion, and bring them to repentance. It vividly demonstrated that turning away from God's commands leads to severe hardship and suffering. This was a fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), where God promised to send enemies to afflict His people if they disobeyed His voice and commandments.

**Was there any hope for Israel during this time of severe oppression?**

Answer: Yes, despite the severe and prolonged oppression, there was indeed hope, rooted in God's enduring mercy and covenant faithfulness. The narrative immediately following this verse shows that King Jehoahaz eventually "sought the favor of the Lord" and "pleaded with the Lord" ([2 Kings 13:4](/2_kings/13-4 "2 Kings 13:4 - Jehoahaz's Prayer")). In response to his desperate cry, God, in His compassion, mercifully provided a "deliverer" for Israel, who rescued them from the oppressive hand of the Syrians ([2 Kings 13:5](/2_kings/13-5 "2 Kings 13:5 - God Provides a Deliverer")). While this relief was not permanent due to Israel's continued cycle of sin and apostasy, it powerfully demonstrates God's compassion, His willingness to hear and respond to the cries of His people, even in the midst of their discipline, and His ultimate desire for their restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The relentless oppression of Israel by Hazael in [2 Kings 13:22](/2_kings/13-22 "2 Kings 13:22 - Hazael's Oppression of Israel"), a direct consequence of their sin and idolatry, serves as a profound Old Testament type, foreshadowing the ultimate spiritual oppression that humanity faces under the dominion of sin and death. Just as Hazael was an instrument of divine judgment, so too does sin hold all humanity captive, leading to spiritual death and eternal separation from God ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). The desperate cry of Jehoahaz for a deliverer, and God's merciful provision of one, points forward with striking clarity to the ultimate and perfect Deliverer, Jesus Christ. He is the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), enduring the full weight of divine judgment and the ultimate oppression of the cross, not for His own sin, but as a perfect substitute for ours ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, Christ decisively broke the power of sin and death ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities")), freeing all who believe from their spiritual bondage ([John 8:34-36](/john/8-34-36 "John 8:34-36 - Freedom from Sin")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to deliver His people, offering not temporary relief from an earthly oppressor, but eternal salvation and complete freedom from the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death itself ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")).

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 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.

Psalms 106:40

Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

Psalms 106:42

Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

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.

2 Kings 13:7

Neither did he leave of the people to Jehoahaz but fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing.