Bible Strands
2 Kings 8:11
Elisha fixed his gaze steadily on him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God began to weep.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Elisha speaks to Hazael immediately after revealing that Ben-hadad will die despite his apparent recovery. The prophet maintains a fixed gaze on his future king until Hazael feels shame, then the man of God begins to weep.
The words — The Hebrew phrase וַיָּשֶׂם עַד־ פָּנָיו (va/i.Ya.sem 'ad- pa.Nav) literally renders "and he set [his gaze] until face [his]." This construction emphasizes an unbroken, confrontational stare that provokes the other party's shame.
The thread — Prophetic weeping over impending judgment appears in Luke 19:41 and Psalms 119:136, where tears follow the recognition of sin or rebellion. Jeremiah 4:19 records the prophet's personal anguish rather than divine sorrow.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that grief precedes the announcement of judgment. Readers must confront the weight of foreknown violence without softening the prophet's sober response.
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 he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
Cross-references
- Luke 19:41 As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
- Psalms 119:136 My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.
- Jeremiah 4:19 My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain! Oh, the pain in my chest! My heart pounds within me; I cannot be silent. For I have heard the sound of the horn, the alarm of battle.
- Jeremiah 9:18 Let them come quickly and take up a lament over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids may gush with water.
- Romans 9:2 I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
- Genesis 45:2 But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it.
- 2 Kings 2:17 But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.
- Jeremiah 9:1 Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.
- Jeremiah 13:17 But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.
- Jeremiah 14:17 You are to speak this word to them: ‘My eyes overflow with tears; day and night they do not cease, for the virgin daughter of my people has been shattered by a crushing blow, a severely grievous wound.