Bible Strands
2 Kings 13:3
So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them continually into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-hadad.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the historical moment during King Jehoahaz’s reign, immediately following the nation’s refusal to abandon Jeroboam’s idolatry. This verse describes the direct consequence of that sustained rebellion.
The words — The Hebrew אַף יְהוָה (af Yahweh) literally renders "the anger of Yahweh," and וַיִּתֵּן (va-yitten) means "and He gave/delivered." These lexical choices frame the judgment as a deliberate transfer of authority rather than abstract displeasure.
The thread — The text links this event to Judges 2:14, which records the same formula of divine anger and military delivery. It also establishes the dynastic oppression that continues in 2 Kings 13:24 when Ben-hadad succeeds Hazael.
Why it lands — The text states that persistent covenant failure produces measurable political and military consequences. It requires the reader to observe how national apostasy directly dictates historical outcomes without promising immediate intervention.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben–hadad the son of Hazael, all their days.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 19:17 Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.
- 2 Kings 13:24 When Hazael king of Aram died, his son Ben-hadad reigned in his place.
- Judges 2:14 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.
- 2 Kings 12:17 At that time Hazael king of Aram marched up and fought against Gath and captured it. Then he decided to attack Jerusalem.
- Leviticus 26:17 And I will set My face against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one pursues you.
- Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
- Deuteronomy 28:25 The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will march out against them in one direction but flee from them in seven. You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.
- Judges 3:8 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim, and the Israelites served him eight years.
- Judges 10:7 So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites,
- 2 Kings 8:12 “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.”