HAZAEL (Hebr. Házá’el and Házá’h’el, “God sees”; Akkadian, hazā’ilu; Septuagint, A’zān). — Proud king of the Arameans of Damascus (c. 844–797), destined by Yahweh to punish the idolatry of Israel (1 Kgs 19:15–17). Sent by the ailing Ben-hadad II to consult Elisha, Hazael was disconcerted to learn that his own plan to kill the king and bring great harm upon Israel had been revealed (2 Kgs 8:7–15). After murdering Ben-hadad, he seized the throne; hence the Assyrians call him “son of a nobody” (A. Pohl [V. BIBLICA.], pp. 71, 10*).
A skilled and energetic commander, he withstood—though at heavy cost—two campaigns (842, 839) mounted against him by Shalmaneser III (Black Obelisk, lines 97–104); thereafter undisturbed, he turned his forces against Israel. He had already defended Ramoth-gilead, wounding Joram (842; 2 Kgs 8:28 ff.; 9:14 ff.). Now, in the reign of Jehoahaz, he routed the Israelites repeatedly, occupying all Transjordan as far as the Arnon (2 Kgs 10:32 ff.; Amos 1:3 ff.) and dominating Israel to the point of leaving Jehoahaz with a garrison of 10,000 foot-soldiers, 50 horsemen, and 10 chariots (2 Kgs 13:3–22). To the south he captured Gath (798), menaced Jerusalem, and withdrew only after Joash paid a heavy indemnity (2 Kgs 12:18 ff.).