2 kings 8:11 - He settled his gaze steadfastly on him, until he was ashamed. Then the man of God wept.
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What does "2 kings 8:11" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 8:11 describes a pivotal moment between the prophet Elisha and Hazael. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"He settled his gaze steadfastly on him...": Elisha fixed a long, intense, and unwavering look upon Hazael. This was not a casual glance. The word "steadfastly" suggests a deliberate and penetrating observation. It implies Elisha was not just seeing Hazael but looking into him, discerning something deeper.
"...until he was ashamed.": Hazael, a high-ranking official in the Syrian army, became increasingly uncomfortable and embarrassed under Elisha's intense scrutiny. The gaze revealed something to Hazael, whether it was Elisha's prophetic knowledge of his future actions, or a sense of moral judgement from Elisha. The "shame" suggests Hazael understood or sensed the implications of Elisha's gaze.
"Then the man of God wept.": After making Hazael so uncomfortable, Elisha himself burst into tears. This is the most important and enigmatic part of the verse. Elisha's weeping is usually interpreted as:
Foresight of future suffering: Elisha wept because he foresaw the terrible atrocities Hazael would commit against the Israelites when he became king of Syria (as later revealed in the subsequent verses). He wept for the innocent victims and the immense suffering that was to come.
Compassion and sorrow: While knowing what Hazael would do, Elisha also felt compassion for the man who was capable of such horrific acts. He grieved over the potential for evil within Hazael.
Disappointment in humanity: Elisha's tears could also represent a broader sorrow over the capacity for cruelty and the fallen nature of humanity.
In essence, the verse encapsulates:
A powerful prophetic encounter.
The weight of prophetic knowledge.
The complex emotions of a prophet who foresees tragedy.
The potential for both good and evil within a single individual.
The verse is a powerful example of how prophets often bore the burden of God's message, experiencing the emotional toll of knowing the future consequences of human actions. It also serves as a reminder that even those who commit great evil often start somewhere, and perhaps even experience a moment of shame or potential for change.
2 kings 8:11 - He settled his gaze steadfastly on him, until he was ashamed. Then the man of God wept.
What does "2 kings 8:11" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 8:11 describes a pivotal moment between the prophet Elisha and Hazael. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"He settled his gaze steadfastly on him...": Elisha fixed a long, intense, and unwavering look upon Hazael. This was not a casual glance. The word "steadfastly" suggests a deliberate and penetrating observation. It implies Elisha was not just seeing Hazael but looking into him, discerning something deeper.
"...until he was ashamed.": Hazael, a high-ranking official in the Syrian army, became increasingly uncomfortable and embarrassed under Elisha's intense scrutiny. The gaze revealed something to Hazael, whether it was Elisha's prophetic knowledge of his future actions, or a sense of moral judgement from Elisha. The "shame" suggests Hazael understood or sensed the implications of Elisha's gaze.
"Then the man of God wept.": After making Hazael so uncomfortable, Elisha himself burst into tears. This is the most important and enigmatic part of the verse. Elisha's weeping is usually interpreted as:
Foresight of future suffering: Elisha wept because he foresaw the terrible atrocities Hazael would commit against the Israelites when he became king of Syria (as later revealed in the subsequent verses). He wept for the innocent victims and the immense suffering that was to come.
Compassion and sorrow: While knowing what Hazael would do, Elisha also felt compassion for the man who was capable of such horrific acts. He grieved over the potential for evil within Hazael.
Disappointment in humanity: Elisha's tears could also represent a broader sorrow over the capacity for cruelty and the fallen nature of humanity.
In essence, the verse encapsulates:
A powerful prophetic encounter.
The weight of prophetic knowledge.
The complex emotions of a prophet who foresees tragedy.
The potential for both good and evil within a single individual.
The verse is a powerful example of how prophets often bore the burden of God's message, experiencing the emotional toll of knowing the future consequences of human actions. It also serves as a reminder that even those who commit great evil often start somewhere, and perhaps even experience a moment of shame or potential for change.