Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

2 Kings 12:17

Next

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

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}.

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

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

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

2 Kings 12:17 describes a critical moment in the history of Judah, highlighting the aggressive expansion of Hazael, the powerful king of Syria, and the immediate threat he posed to Jerusalem.

Context

This verse is set during the reign of King Joash (Jehoash) of Judah, a period where much attention was given to the repair and restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:4-16). Hazael, king of Aram (Syria), had been a long-standing adversary to both Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom). His rise to power was even prophesied by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 8:12-13), foretelling the devastation he would bring. Having already inflicted significant damage on Israel, Hazael now turned his attention south, demonstrating his military might by conquering Gath.

Key Themes

  • Military Aggression and Expansion: Hazael's conquest of Gath, a prominent Philistine city, underscores his formidable military strength and his strategic objective to expand his empire. His success against Gath positioned him geographically closer to Jerusalem.
  • Threat to Jerusalem: The declaration that Hazael "set his face to go up to Jerusalem" signifies a determined and imminent threat to the capital of Judah. This was not merely a casual thought but a firm resolve to attack the city that housed the Temple and the Davidic throne.
  • Vulnerability of Judah: Despite the ongoing efforts to restore the Temple, Judah found itself vulnerable to external powers. This incident serves as a reminder of the geopolitical realities and the constant need for divine protection that characterized the kingdom's existence.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "set his face" (Hebrew: śām pānāw) is a strong idiom in Hebrew, indicating a firm, determined, and resolute intention to accomplish a goal. It implies an unswerving commitment, much like someone setting their gaze on a distant objective and moving directly towards it. It conveys Hazael's unwavering resolve to attack Jerusalem, leaving no doubt about his intentions.

Related Scriptures

The immediate consequence of Hazael's advance and Joash's response is detailed in the very next verse, where Joash appeases Hazael with treasures from the Temple and royal palace (2 Kings 12:18). This shows the severity of the threat and Judah's desperate measure to avert a full-scale siege.

Practical Application

This verse illustrates how external threats can arise, even when a community is focused on internal matters like spiritual restoration or building projects. It reminds believers that vigilance is always necessary. While Hazael's determined advance brought fear, it also served as a moment for Judah to recognize its dependence on God. Today, we too may face determined opposition or overwhelming challenges. This narrative encourages us to understand that even in the face of formidable foes, our ultimate trust must remain in God's sovereignty and protection, seeking His wisdom and strength to navigate difficult circumstances.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 24:23 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Kings 2:39 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.