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2 Kings 8:13

ElishaHazaelSyria

11 Elisha fixed his gaze steadily on him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God began to weep.

12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”

“But how could your servant, a mere dog, do such a monstrous thing?” said Hazael. And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”

14 So Hazael left Elisha and went to his master, who asked him, “What did Elisha say to you?” And he replied, “He told me that you would surely recover.”

15 But the next day Hazael took a thick cloth, dipped it in water, and spread it over the king’s face. So Ben-hadad died, and Hazael reigned in his place.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“But how could your servant, a mere dog, do such a monstrous thing?” said Hazael. And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”
KJV
And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
WEB
Hazael said, “But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he could do this great thing?” Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Syria.”
ASV
And Hazael said, But what is thy servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, Jehovah hath showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
DARBY
And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha said, Jehovah has shewn me that thou wilt be king over Syria.
BLB
And Hazael said, “But what [is] your servant, a dog, that he should do this great thing?” And Elisha answered, “YHWH has made me see that you [will be] king over Aram.”
ÅB
Hasael sa: Hva er din tjener, den hund, at han skulle gjøre så store ting? Elisa svarte: Herren har latt meg se deg som konge over Syria.
OTB
Da sa Hasael, "Men hva er din tjener, som ikke er mer enn en hund, at han skulle gjøre denne store ting?" Og Elisa svarte, "Herren har vist meg at du vil bli konge over Aram."
B1930
Hasael sa: Hvad er din tjener, den hund, at han skulde gjøre så store ting? Elisa svarte: Herren har latt mig se dig som konge over Syria.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Samuel 17:43

    “Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

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  • 1 Kings 19:15

    Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram.

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  • 2 Samuel 9:8

    Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog like me?”

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  • Psalms 22:20

    Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of wild dogs.

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  • Micah 2:1

    Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.

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  • Psalms 22:16

    For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.

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  • Matthew 7:6

    Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

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  • 2 Kings 8:10

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

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