HAZAEL : A king of Damascus reigning about 850 B.c. The name (Assyr. Hazdilu; Septuagint, Azael) means °° God has seen." He was sent by Benhadad, his predecessor on the throne of Damascus, to consult Elisha concerning Benhadad's sickness, and received from the prophet the announcement of Benhadad's death and of his own elevation to the throne (II Kings viii. 7-15). According to I Kings xix. 15 Elijah had already received a commission from Yahweh to anoint Hazael king of Syria; but there is no record that the commission was executed. The day after Hazael's return, Benhadad died a violent death. Joram of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah leagued themselves against Hazael to recapture Ramoth-gilead which was occupied by the Syrians, but were defeated (II Kings viii. 28, ix. 15). From Jehu, Joram's murderer and successor, Hazael took all Israel's trams-Jordanic provinces (lI Kings x. 32 sqq.) and treated the inhabitants with great cruelty (Amos i. 3 sqq.). He assailed Judah, but was diverted from marching against Jerusalem by the tribute sent him by King Jehoahaz (II Kings xii. 18). Hazael, who ruled at least forty-five years, was followed by his son Benhadad, out of whose hand Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again the cities which had been taken from Jehoahaz (II Kings xiii. 24 sqq.). In the cuneiform inscriptions it is stated that Hazael was twice (in 842 and 839 B.c.) attacked by Shalmaneser II. In these wars Jehu, king of Israel, Hazael's opponent, sided with the Assyrians (E. Schrader, Keilinschriften and Geschichtsforschung, pp. 372 sqq., Giessen, 1878, 372 sqq., 358; see Jehu). Josephus reports that to Azaelos and his predecessor Ader (Benhadad) divine honors were paid in Damascus.

Bibliography: J. F. McCurdy, History, Prophecy and the Monuments, vol. i., §§ 236, 241 sqq., New York, 1894; Schrader, KAT, pp. 265-266 et passim; idem, CLOT, i. 191-201; H. Winckler, Alttmtamentliche Unterauchungen, pp. 64-06, Leipsic, 1892; DB, ii. 312-313; EB, ii. 1975; JE, vi. 279-280; and the appropriate sections in the works on the history of Israel named under Arab.