Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elisha addresses Hazael during a formal audience in Damascus, responding directly to the envoy’s report of King Ben-hadad’s inquiry about his recovery. The dialogue occurs while Hazael stands before the prophet with a heavy gift from Aram.
The words — The imperative לֵ֥ךְ (lekh) commands “go,” while תִחְיֶ֑ה (tich.Yeh) and חָיֹ֣ה (cha.Yoh) deliver the formula “you will surely live.” These terms are immediately overridden by וְ/הִרְאַ֥/נִי (ve./hir.'A./ni), “and he has shown me,” which introduces the divine counter-decree of death.
The thread — The clash between human prognosis and divine revelation mirrors Genesis 41:39, where Pharaoh recognizes God’s disclosure through Joseph, and recalls the fatal warning structure of Genesis 2:17. Similar royal inquiry patterns appear in 1 Kings 22:15.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that prophetic words carry the authority of divine disclosure, not human optimism. It requires the reader to submit to God’s sovereign decree over any favorable report.
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 Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die.
Cross-references
- Genesis 2:17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”
- Genesis 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
- 1 Kings 22:15 When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up and triumph,” Micaiah replied, “for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
- 2 Kings 1:4 Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’” So Elijah departed.
- 2 Kings 1:16 And Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: Is there really no God in Israel for you to inquire of His word? Is that why you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.”
- 2 Kings 8:13 “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.”
- Jeremiah 38:21 But if you refuse to surrender, this is the word that the LORD has shown me:
- Ezekiel 11:25 I told the exiles everything the LORD had shown me.
- Ezekiel 18:13 He engages in usury and takes excess interest. Will this son live? He will not! Since he has committed all these abominations, he will surely die; his blood will be on his own head.
- Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.