2 Kings 8:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And Elisha {H477} said {H559} unto him, Go {H3212}, say {H559} unto him, Thou mayest certainly {H2421} recover {H2421}: howbeit the LORD {H3068} hath shewed {H7200} me that he shall surely {H4191} die {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Elisha answered, "Go and say to him, 'You will surely recover'- even though ADONAI has shown me that he will surely die."

Berean Standard Bible

Elisha answered, “Go and tell him, ‘You will surely recover.’ But the LORD has shown me that in fact he will die.”

American Standard Version

And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou shalt surely recover; howbeit Jehovah hath showed me that he shall surely die.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[2 Kings 8:10](/2_kings/8-10 "2 Kings 8:10 - Elisha's Paradoxical Prophecy to Hazael") records a profound and seemingly paradoxical prophetic utterance from Elisha to Hazael, a messenger from the ailing Syrian King Ben-hadad. When asked about the king's recovery, Elisha delivers a two-part message: the king's illness is not fatal, yet the Lord has revealed that he will certainly die. This enigmatic statement simultaneously addresses the medical prognosis and God's ultimate, sovereign decree concerning Ben-hadad's fate, subtly hinting at Hazael's impending role in its fulfillment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant narrative arc in the life of Elisha, following his miraculous deeds in Israel and preceding the anointing of Jehu as king. Immediately prior to this, Elisha has returned to Damascus, the capital of Aram (Syria), a nation often hostile to Israel. King Ben-hadad, afflicted with an illness, sends his trusted servant Hazael with a lavish gift to inquire of Elisha regarding his health. The verses that follow [2 Kings 8:11-15](/2_kings/8-11 "2 Kings 8:11-15 - Elisha's Prophecy to Hazael and Ben-hadad's Death") are crucial for understanding the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy: Elisha gazes intently at Hazael, weeps, and then explicitly prophesies Hazael's future cruelty against Israel. Hazael, upon returning, suffocates Ben-hadad and usurps the throne, thereby fulfilling the "surely die" portion of Elisha's prophecy, though not directly by the illness itself. This sequence highlights the complex interplay of divine foreknowledge, human agency, and prophetic revelation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During this period, the kingdom of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Aram (Syria) were frequently engaged in conflict, though sometimes forming uneasy alliances. Damascus was a powerful regional capital, and Ben-hadad was a significant monarch. The act of a foreign king sending an envoy to a prophet of Yahweh, even an enemy prophet, underscores the widespread recognition of Elisha's divine authority and the belief that prophets could genuinely access divine knowledge, regardless of national or religious boundaries. It was customary for kings to consult seers or prophets in times of crisis, especially regarding illness or war, seeking a divine oracle. Hazael's mission with a grand gift (forty camel-loads, [2 Kings 8:9](/2_kings/8-9 "2 Kings 8:9 - Hazael's Gift to Elisha")) was typical of diplomatic and supplicatory exchanges in the ancient Near East, demonstrating the king's earnestness and respect for the prophet's perceived power.

* **Key Themes:** [2 Kings 8:10](/2_kings/8-10 "2 Kings 8:10 - Elisha's Paradoxical Prophecy") powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the books of Kings and the broader prophetic literature. **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount, as God's foreknowledge extends even to the specific circumstances of a foreign king's death, demonstrating His ultimate control over human affairs and the rise and fall of nations. This aligns with themes seen in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God declares the end from the beginning"). The **Nature of Prophecy** is also illuminated, showing that prophetic messages can contain both a conditional element (the illness itself was not fatal) and an unconditional divine decree (the king would surely die). This paradox highlights the complexity of God's interaction with human free will and the unfolding of His predetermined plan. Furthermore, the verse introduces the theme of **Human Agency and Responsibility**, as Hazael's subsequent actions are not compelled by Elisha's words but are a fulfillment of God's foreknowledge, making Hazael accountable for his murderous deed. The broader narrative of [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings") consistently emphasizes the Lord's active involvement in the political and military landscape of Israel and its neighbors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"recover" (Hebrew, _ḥāyâ'_):** This verb literally means "to live," "to be alive," or "to revive." In this context, it refers to Ben-hadad's ability to survive his current illness. Elisha's statement, "Thou mayest certainly recover," indicates that the king's sickness itself was not inherently terminal. It implies that from a purely medical standpoint, Ben-hadad had the potential to overcome his ailment and regain his health.
* **"howbeit" (Hebrew, _ʾak'_):** This is a strong adversative conjunction, best translated as "nevertheless," "however," or "surely." It signals a sharp contrast or a strong affirmation that overrides or qualifies what precedes it. In [2 Kings 8:10](/2_kings/8-10 "2 Kings 8:10 - Elisha's Paradoxical Prophecy"), "howbeit" serves as a critical pivot, introducing a divine revelation that supersedes the natural prognosis. It emphasizes the certainty and unalterable nature of the subsequent declaration from the Lord, shifting from a human possibility to a divine decree.
* **"die" (Hebrew, _mûṯ'_):** This verb simply means "to die." Its use here, especially in conjunction with "surely" (a repetition of the verb for emphasis, "dying, he will die"), underscores the absolute certainty of Ben-hadad's death, irrespective of his illness's non-fatal nature. It points to an external, divinely ordained cause of death, which the following verses reveal to be Hazael's murderous act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover:"** Elisha's initial instruction to Hazael provides a direct answer to Ben-hadad's specific question about his illness. The prophet confirms that the king's current sickness is not unto death; he possesses the physical capacity to recover from it. This part of the prophecy addresses the immediate medical concern, offering a seemingly positive prognosis that would be relayed back to the king, fulfilling the request for an oracle concerning his health.
* **"howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die."** This second, contrasting clause, introduced by the emphatic "howbeit," reveals the deeper, divinely revealed truth. Despite the king's potential to recover from his illness, God has shown Elisha that Ben-hadad's ultimate fate is certain death. The phrase "surely die" (a Hebrew infinitive absolute construction) emphasizes the absolute certainty and inevitability of this outcome. This part of the prophecy moves beyond the immediate medical condition to declare God's sovereign decree over the king's life, implying an external, non-illness related cause for his demise, which Elisha immediately perceives and laments in the subsequent verses regarding Hazael's future actions.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in [2 Kings 8:10](/2_kings/8-10 "2 Kings 8:10 - Elisha's Paradoxical Prophecy to Hazael") is **Paradox**. Elisha's statement, "Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die," presents two seemingly contradictory truths. This paradox is resolved by understanding that the first clause refers to the nature of the illness itself, while the second refers to God's ultimate decree concerning the king's life, to be fulfilled by another means. This creates **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience, and soon Hazael, understands the true implication of Elisha's words, while Ben-hadad (initially) does not. The verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at Hazael's future role in Ben-hadad's death, which is explicitly revealed in the subsequent verses ([2 Kings 8:11-15](/2_kings/8-11 "2 Kings 8:11-15 - Elisha's Prophecy to Hazael and Ben-hadad's Death")). The prophet's enigmatic words build suspense and underscore the weight of divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Kings 8:10](/2_kings/8-10 "2 Kings 8:10 - Elisha's Paradoxical Prophecy") is a profound statement on divine sovereignty and the nature of prophetic truth. It illustrates that God's knowledge and plans transcend human understanding and immediate circumstances. While the illness itself was not fatal, God's ultimate decree for Ben-hadad's life was certain death, to be brought about by Hazael. This highlights that God's purposes can be fulfilled through human agency, even wicked acts, without God being the author of sin. It underscores the principle that God declares the end from the beginning, and His will, though sometimes mysterious in its unfolding, will ultimately prevail. The prophet's role is not merely to predict, but to reveal God's active hand in history, even among pagan nations and their rulers.

* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God declares the end from the beginning")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The enigmatic nature of Elisha's prophecy in [2 Kings 8:10](/2_kings/8-10 "2 Kings 8:10 - Elisha's Paradoxical Prophecy") offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God's ways are often higher than our ways, and His thoughts deeper than our thoughts ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's thoughts are higher than ours")). We may perceive a situation in one light (e.g., a non-fatal illness), but God's ultimate plan may involve a different, divinely ordained outcome. This calls us to a posture of deep trust in God's overarching sovereignty, even when circumstances appear contradictory or confusing. It also challenges us to consider the implications of divine foreknowledge on human responsibility; Hazael's actions, though foreknown by God, were still his own choices for which he was accountable. For us, this means that while God is sovereign over all things, our choices matter, and we are responsible for our actions. We are called to live righteously, knowing that God works all things according to the counsel of His will, even through complex and sometimes dark human events.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Elisha's paradoxical prophecy challenge your understanding of God's sovereignty and human free will?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to trust only in immediate circumstances rather than God's ultimate, sometimes unseen, plan?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the nature of prophetic revelation and its potential for complexity?**
* **How can we maintain trust in God's goodness and control when His plans unfold through difficult or even sinful human actions?**

### FAQ
**Was Elisha lying to Hazael when he said Ben-hadad "mayest certainly recover"?**
Answer: No, Elisha was not lying. The KJV translation "Thou mayest certainly recover" accurately reflects the Hebrew, implying that Ben-hadad's illness itself was not terminal. From a purely medical standpoint, the king had the potential to recover. However, Elisha immediately qualified this by revealing God's ultimate decree: "howbeit the LORD hath shewed me that he shall surely die." This means that while the illness wasn't the cause of death, God had revealed that Ben-hadad's life would end, and the subsequent narrative in [2 Kings 8:15](/2_kings/8-15 "2 Kings 8:15 - Hazael murders Ben-hadad") shows Hazael himself fulfilled this prophecy by murdering the king. Elisha delivered a complex truth, distinguishing between the immediate medical prognosis and God's sovereign, predetermined outcome for Ben-hadad's life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound paradox of [2 Kings 8:10](/2_kings/8-10 "2 Kings 8:10 - Elisha's Paradoxical Prophecy"), where an individual's immediate condition is not fatal yet their death is divinely certain, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Ben-hadad's death was a result of human treachery, the death of Jesus, the Son of God, was simultaneously the most heinous act of human sin and the perfect fulfillment of God's eternal redemptive plan. The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes that Jesus' crucifixion, though carried out by human hands, was according to the "definite plan and foreknowledge of God" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's determined purpose and foreknowledge")). Pilate had no authority over Jesus except that which was "given him from above" ([John 19:11](/john/19-11 "John 19:11 - Pilate's authority from above")). The conspiracy of Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the Gentiles against Jesus was to do "whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place" ([Acts 4:27-28](/acts/4-27-28 "Acts 4:27-28 - Herod, Pilate, and the nations conspired against Jesus")). Just as God foreknew Ben-hadad's death and even the instrument of it, so too did He foreknow and ordain the suffering and death of His Son, not as a passive observer, but as the sovereign orchestrator of salvation. [Isaiah 53:10](/isaiah/53-10 "Isaiah 53:10 - It pleased the LORD to bruise him") declares that "it was the will of the LORD to crush him," demonstrating that Christ's death, though humanly inflicted, was divinely purposed for the redemption of humanity. This echoes the complex interplay of divine sovereignty and human responsibility seen in Elisha's prophecy, ultimately pointing to God's perfect plan of salvation through the Lamb slain "before the foundation of the world" ([Revelation 13:8](/revelation/13-8 "Revelation 13:8 - The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world")).

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

Amos 7:7

Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall [made] by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

Amos 7:1

¶ Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, [it was] the latter growth after the king's mowings.

Ezekiel 18:13

Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

Revelation 22:1

¶ And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 Kings 1:16

And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, [is it] not because [there is] no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

2 Kings 1:4

Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.

1 Kings 22:15

¶ So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king.