2 Kings 12 17

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.

2 Kings 12:17 nkjv

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

2 Kings 12:17 niv

About this time Hazael king of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem.

2 Kings 12:17 esv

At that time Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath and took it. But when Hazael set his face to go up against Jerusalem,

2 Kings 12:17 nlt

About this time King Hazael of Aram went to war against Gath and captured it. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem.

2 Kings 12 verses

2 Kings 12 17 Meaning

This verse details Hazael, king of Aram (Syria), extending his military conquest after defeating Gath, a Philistine city. The core meaning is the immediate and resolute threat posed by Hazael directly against Jerusalem, the capital of Judah and the seat of God's temple. It marks a critical turning point where the security of Jerusalem is directly jeopardized, highlighting the vulnerability of Judah and setting the stage for King Jehoash's desperate actions to avert invasion.

2 Kings 12 17 Context

2 Kings Chapter 12 primarily focuses on the reign of King Jehoash (Joash) of Judah. His reign begins with efforts to restore the Temple in Jerusalem, financed through collections from the people. Initially, the priests were responsible, but due to delay, Jehoash reforms the system, appointing trustworthy officials to oversee the funds directly for craftsmen. This financial restoration project highlights the importance of the Temple to Judah. Verse 17 interrupts this narrative of temple restoration by introducing an external, existential threat. Hazael, king of Aram (Syria), a known aggressor from previous chapters who had severely oppressed Israel (2 Kgs 10:32; 13:3), has now conquered Gath, a key Philistine city in the Shephelah (foothills) that frequently changed hands. This victory places Hazael in a strategically menacing position, directly threatening Judah's territory and its capital, Jerusalem. The verse establishes the gravity of the military threat that forces Jehoash to act (in verse 18) to prevent a full-scale siege, underscoring the political fragility and vulnerability of Judah despite its spiritual renewal efforts.

2 Kings 12 17 Word analysis

• Then: (וְאָז ve'az) Marks a chronological and logical progression. It signifies an immediate consequence or next step in Hazael's campaign.
• Hazael: (חֲזָאֵל Chaza'el) King of Aram (Syria), an individual previously prophesied by Elisha to become a major oppressor of Israel (2 Kgs 8:12-13). His name itself has been suggested to mean "God has seen." He represents a powerful, divinely-sanctioned instrument of judgment against God's people.
• king of Syria: (מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם melekh Aram) Confirms his geopolitical identity. Aram-Damascus was a formidable regional power during this period, often a major adversary to both Israel and Judah.
• went up: (עָלָה ‘alah) A common verb meaning to ascend, whether geographically (from lower land to higher land, Jerusalem is on a hill) or metaphorically for a military campaign or invasion. It signifies an aggressive movement.
• and fought against: (וַיִּלָּחֶם vayyilachem) From the root לָחַם lacham, meaning "to fight" or "wage war." Emphasizes direct military confrontation.
• Gath: (גַּת Gath) A major Philistine city, strategically located in the Shephelah. Historically significant, as it was home to Goliath (1 Sam 17) and frequently mentioned in the conflicts between Israel/Judah and the Philistines. Its fall indicates a successful, destructive campaign by Hazael and its strategic importance to him.
• and took it: (וַיִּלְכְּדֶהָ vayyilkedhah) From the root לָכַד lakad, meaning "to capture" or "seize." Denotes a complete military victory and annexation of the city.
• and Hazael set his face: (וַיָּשֶׂם חֲזָאֵל אֶת־פָּנָיו vayyasem Chaza'el et-panav) An emphatic Hebrew idiom, literally "and Hazael put his face." It conveys intense resolve, determination, and a fixed purpose. It signifies unyielding commitment to a specific course of action, allowing no deviation. This idiom is used both for human resolve and for God's divine determination (e.g., Lev 17:10).
• to go up to Jerusalem: (לַעֲלוֹת עַל־יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם la'alot ‘al-Yerushalayim) The direct object of Hazael's fixed determination. The very same "went up" verb, reinforcing the impending aggressive advance. This move places the capital of Judah under direct existential threat, making its capture the ultimate military goal.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then Hazael king of Syria went up": Introduces the powerful adversary and his immediate, aggressive movement, placing him in a dominant position following a period of silence about his specific activities toward Judah.
• "and fought against Gath, and took it": Highlights Hazael's military effectiveness and success. The capture of Gath, a major Philistine city, demonstrates his strength and consolidates his power base, effectively eliminating a buffer zone and establishing a direct line of threat to Judah.
• "and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem": This phrase dramatically escalates the tension. "Set his face" reveals his unwavering, single-minded intent. Jerusalem, the city of God, the political and religious center of Judah, becomes the explicit target. This sets up the critical conflict that will dictate Jehoash's next move.

2 Kings 12 17 Bonus section

The immediate threat to Jerusalem by Hazael foreshadows similar, yet more successful, invasions and sieges in later Judaean history (e.g., Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem, the Babylonian invasions). The Philistine city of Gath, often associated with Goliath, represented a perennial rival and symbolic opponent for Israel. Its fall to Aram signified a shifting power dynamic in the region and emphasized Judah's isolation against this new, formidable enemy. The phrase "set his face" is often used in scripture to denote a profound commitment to a goal, regardless of the difficulty, reflecting a steadfast and often unyielding resolve. This divine or human determination shapes the course of biblical narrative and reflects the purposeful nature of action within God's sovereignty, whether that action is to build or to destroy.

2 Kings 12 17 Commentary

2 Kings 12:17 serves as a pivot point in the narrative of King Jehoash's reign. After an extended account of Jehoash's faithful efforts to restore the Temple, this verse introduces a stark geopolitical reality. Hazael's conquest of Gath, a significant Philistine city, wasn't an isolated event; it was a strategic move that cleared his path toward Jerusalem. The idiom "set his face" profoundly emphasizes Hazael's unyielding resolve, revealing that his campaign was not merely opportunistic but a determined progression toward the very heart of Judah. This divine intention (as God used Hazael earlier to punish Israel) implies a testing of Judah's reliance on their restored Temple and a consequence for potential complacency or unstated sins. The threat to Jerusalem directly contrasts with the spiritual work of Temple repair, highlighting that internal piety did not negate external geopolitical threats, which often carried a theological dimension as instruments of divine discipline or testing.

Examples:

• A physical storm abruptly disrupting a family's peaceful domestic routine, revealing vulnerabilities.
• A company's strong internal reforms suddenly facing an external hostile takeover bid, forcing a crisis response.