Ben-hadad בֶּן־הֲדַד
King of Aram who oppressed Israel
Who is Ben-hadad in the Bible?
Ben-hadad III was the king of Aram (Syria) who oppressed Israel during the reigns of Kings Jehoahaz and Jehoash (2 Ki. 13:3). God allowed Ben-hadad to prevail against Israel as judgment for their sins, but before his death, Ben-hadad returned the cities his father had taken from Israel, providing relief to the oppressed nation (2 Ki. 13:24-25). The prophet Amos pronounced God's judgment against Ben-hadad, declaring that the Lord would send fire upon his house (Amo. 1:4). His reign illustrates how God uses foreign powers to discipline His people while ultimately fulfilling His promise to deliver Israel from their enemies.
Biography
Ben-hadad III was the king of Aram (Syria) who oppressed Israel during the reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoash, kings of Israel. The Lord allowed Ben-hadad III to prevail against Israel because of their sins (2 Ki. 13:3). However, before his death, Ben-hadad III returned the cities his father had taken from Israel (2 Ki. 13:24-25). The prophet Amos also prophesied against Ben-hadad III, declaring that God would send fire upon his house (Amo.1.4). Ben-hadad III was a powerful enemy of Israel, but God ultimately delivered His people from this oppressor.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books2 Kings 3 verses
- 2 Kings 13:3
"So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them continually into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-hadad."
- 2 Kings 13:24
"When Hazael king of Aram died, his son Ben-hadad reigned in his place."
- 2 Kings 13:25
"Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the cities that Hazael had taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad three times, and so recovered the cities of Israel."
Amos 1 verse
- Amos 1:4
"So I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the citadels of Ben-hadad."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בֶּן־הֲדַד | ben-hădad | Ben-Hadad , the name of several Syrian kings |