2 Kings 8:11
2 Kings 8:11 in Multiple Translations
Elisha fixed his gaze steadily on him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God began to weep.
And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
And he settled his countenance stedfastly upon him, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
And he kept his eyes fixed on him till he was shamed, and the man of God was overcome with weeping.
Elisha stared at him for a long time until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God started to cry.
And hee looked vpon him stedfastly, till Hazael was ashamed, and the man of God wept.
And he setteth his face, yea, he setteth [it] till he is ashamed, and the man of God weepeth.
He settled his gaze steadfastly on him, until he was ashamed. Then the man of God wept.
And he settled his countenance steadfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
And he stood with him, and was troubled so far as to blush: and the man of God wept.
Then Elisha stared at him and had a terrified look on his face. That caused Hazael to feel uneasy/embarrassed. Then suddenly Elisha started to cry.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 8:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 8:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּעֲמֵ֥ד
אֶת
פָּנָ֖י/ו
וַ/יָּ֣שֶׂם
עַד
בֹּ֑שׁ
וַ/יֵּ֖בְךְּ
אִ֥ישׁ
הָ/אֱלֹהִֽים
וַ/יַּעֲמֵ֥ד
ʻâmad
H5975
to stand
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
פָּנָ֖י/ו
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp | Suff
וַ/יָּ֣שֶׂם
sûwm
H7760
to set
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
בֹּ֑שׁ
bûwsh
H954
be ashamed
V-Qal-Inf-a
וַ/יֵּ֖בְךְּ
bâkâh
H1058
to weep
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אִ֥ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
הָ/אֱלֹהִֽים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 8:11
וַ/יַּעֲמֵ֥ד
ʻâmad
H5975
"to stand"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Definition: : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against 1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain 1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect 1b4) to present (one) before (king) 1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be presented, be caused to stand, be stood before
Usage: Occurs in 497 OT verses. KJV: abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. See also: Genesis 18:8; Joshua 21:44; 1 Chronicles 6:17.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
פָּנָ֖י/ו
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
וַ/יָּ֣שֶׂם
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
בֹּ֑שׁ
bûwsh
H954
"be ashamed"
V-Qal-Inf-a
To be ashamed is what this Hebrew word means, implying a feeling of guilt or disappointment. It is used to describe someone who is disconcerted or delayed, like in the story of Adam and Eve. Shame is a strong emotion.
Definition: 1) to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to feel shame 1a2) to be ashamed, disconcerted, disappointed (by reason of) 1b) (Piel) to delay (in shame) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to put to shame 1c2) to act shamefully 1c3) to be ashamed 1d) (Hithpolel) to be ashamed before one another
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shamed(-d), be (put to) confounded(-fusion), become dry, delay, be long. See also: Genesis 2:25; Isaiah 24:23; Psalms 6:11.
וַ/יֵּ֖בְךְּ
bâkâh
H1058
"to weep"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To weep means to cry or shed tears, often in grief or sadness. In the Bible, weeping is a common expression of emotion, as seen in the stories of David and Jeremiah, who both wept bitterly in times of sorrow and repentance.
Definition: 1) to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to weep (in grief, humiliation, or joy) 1a2) to weep bitterly (with cognate acc.) 1a3) to weep upon (embrace and weep) 1a4) to bewail 1b) (Piel) participle 1b1) lamenting 1b2) bewailing
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, bewail, complain, make lamentation, [idiom] more, mourn, [idiom] sore, [idiom] with tears, weep. See also: Genesis 21:16; 2 Samuel 12:21; Psalms 69:11.
אִ֥ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
הָ/אֱלֹהִֽים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 8:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 8:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 8:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 8:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 8:11
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 8:11
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
- Sermons on 2 Kings 8:11
Context — Hazael Murders Ben-hadad
9So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
10Elisha answered, “Go and tell him, ‘You will surely recover.’ But the LORD has shown me that in fact he will die.”
11Elisha 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.” 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.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 19:41 | As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it |
| 2 | Romans 9:2 | I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Psalms 119:136 | My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed. |
| 5 | 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. |
| 6 | John 11:35 | Jesus wept. |
| 7 | 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. |
| 8 | Genesis 45:2 | But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it. |
| 9 | Acts 20:19 | I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews. |
| 10 | 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. |
2 Kings 8:11 Summary
[In this verse, Elisha is looking at Hazael and seeing the evil things that he will do in the future. This makes Elisha very sad, and he starts to weep. It's like when you see someone you care about making a bad choice, and you feel sad because you know it will hurt them. Elisha is feeling that way about the Israelites, who will suffer because of Hazael's actions (as seen in 2 Kings 8:12). He is also trusting in God's sovereignty, knowing that God is in control, even when evil people prosper (compare with Psalm 73:16-17).]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Elisha stare at Hazael until he became uncomfortable?
Elisha's gaze was a sign of his prophetic insight, and he was seeing the evil that Hazael would do in the future, as revealed to him by God (2 Kings 8:12). This uncomfortable silence was a moment of spiritual confrontation.
What is the significance of Elisha weeping in this verse?
Elisha's weeping was a sign of his compassion and sorrow for the suffering that the Israelites would endure at the hands of Hazael, as prophesied in 2 Kings 8:12. It shows that Elisha was not just a prophet, but a man who cared deeply about the people of God.
How did Elisha know about the evil that Hazael would do?
Elisha knew about the evil that Hazael would do because God had revealed it to him, as stated in 2 Kings 8:10, where Elisha says 'the LORD has shown me that in fact he will die', and in 2 Kings 8:12, where he reveals the atrocities that Hazael will commit.
What can we learn from Elisha's interaction with Hazael?
We can learn from Elisha's interaction with Hazael that true prophets of God are not just predictors of the future, but also men and women who care deeply about the well-being of others, as seen in Elisha's weeping, and that they are willing to speak the truth, even when it is difficult, as seen in Elisha's prophecy against Hazael (compare with Ezekiel 2:7).
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate compassion and sorrow for those who are suffering, like Elisha did for the Israelites?
- How can I balance the need to speak the truth with the need to show love and compassion to those who may be doing evil?
- What are some ways that I can seek to know God's will and plan for my life, like Elisha did through his prophetic gift?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when I see evil people prospering, like Hazael did?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 8:11
And he settled his countenance steadfastly,.... Refrained himself as much as possible, that he might not weep, as some Jewish writers interpret it; or, as others, he turned his face on one side, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 8:11
And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
He settled his countenance stedfastly; the prophet fixed his eyes upon Hazael. Until he was ashamed; either till the prophet was ashamed to look any longer upon him; or till Hazael was ashamed, as apprehending that the prophet suspected or discerned something extraordinary and of an evil and shameful nature in him. The Hebrew words are ambiguous, and may indifferently be referred to either of them; but they seem more properly to belong to Hazael, because it follows, by way of distinction, the man of God wept.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
2 Kings 8:11 And he settled his countenance stedfastly, until he was ashamed: and the man of God wept.Ver. 11. And he settled his countenance steadfastly.] Heb., And set it. He settled his countenance and looked wistly with a comely gravity; Elisha did so upon Hazael. Until he was ashamed.] Till Hazael blushed to see the prophet look so earnestly upon him.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
(11) And he settled his countenance stedfastly.—Literally, and he (Elisha) made his face stand, and set (it upon Hazael). Until he was ashamed.—Literally, unto being ashamed. This may mean either in shameless fashion or until Hazael was disconcerted. We prefer the latter. Hazael, conscious that Elisha had read his; thoughts aright, shrank from that piercing gaze. (Comp. 2 Kings 2:17.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
Verse 11. He settled his countenance steadfastly] Of whom does the author speak? Of Hazael, or of Elisha? Several apply this action to the prophet: he had a murderer before him and he saw the bloody acts he was about to commit, and was greatly distressed; but he endeavoured to conceal his feelings: at last his face reddened with anguish, his feelings overcame him, and he burst out and wept. The Septuagint, as it stands in the Complutensian and Antwerp Polyglots, makes the text very plain: ΚαιἑστηΑζαηλκαταπρωσοποναυτου, καιπαρεθηκενενωπιοναυτουδωρα, ἑωςῃσχυνετο·καιεκλαυσενὁανθρωποςτουΘεου, And Hazael stood before his face, and he presented before him gifts till he was ashamed; and the man of God wept. The Codex Vaticanus, and the Codex Alexandrinus, are nearly as the Hebrew. The Aldine edition agrees in some respects with the Complutensian; but all the versions follow the Hebrew.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 8:11
11. And he settled his countenance stedfastly] The R.V. adds ‘upon him’ in italics. This no doubt is the sense. Elisha fixed a stedfast gaze on the messenger. ‘The seer of God descries more in Hazael than he could see in himself: he fixes his eyes therefore stedfastly in the Syrian’s face, as one that in those lines read the bloody story of his life. Hazael blushes, Elisha weeps. The intention (i.e. the stedfast gaze) of those eyes did not so much amaze Hazael as the tears. As yet he was not guilty to himself of any wrong that might strain out this juice of sorrow’ (Bp Hall). until he was ashamed] i.e. until Hazael blushed with embarrassment at the searching look.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 8:11
That is, “And he (Elisha) settled his conntenance, and set it (toward Hazael), until he (Hazael) was ashamed.” Elisha fixed on Hazael a long and meaning look, until the latter’s eyes fell before his, and his cheek flushed.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 8:11
11. He settled his countenance steadfastly — Literally, He made his countenance stand, and fixed it.
Sermons on 2 Kings 8:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Our Daily Homily - 2 Kings by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the call to live as true 'men of God,' reflecting God's holiness and grace in our lives, as exemplified by Elijah and Elisha. He urges believers to be filled |
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And the Man of God Wept. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer reflects on the profound compassion of Elisha, who wept for the impending suffering that Hazael would bring upon Israel. Despite his strength and ability to influence ki |
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The Burdens of Ravenhill - Part 2 (Compilation) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being anointed by God to preach the word. He highlights the brokenness and suffering in the world and the need for God's h |
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Oh, America, America! by Leonard Ravenhill | The sermon transcript discusses the importance of the Holy Ghost in preaching the word of God. It mentions a preacher named Bob Phillips who had a powerful impact on the audience d |
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Jesus - Lamb of God by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the story of Jesus weeping over the city of Jerusalem. He emphasizes that Jesus came to offer peace and salvation to the people, but they r |
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Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 4 by Alan Cairns | This sermon delves into the reality of hell as depicted in the Bible, emphasizing the urgent need for America to heed the voices from hell that testify to its existence. It challen |
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The Difficulty of Escaping the Damnation of Hell (Reading) by Edward Payson | In this sermon, the preacher addresses those who are focused on accumulating wealth and worldly possessions. He questions whether this is the right place to store their treasures a |