A Syrian courtier whom Elijah was directed by Jehovah to anoint king over Syria (1 Kings xix. 17).  Some years later (about 883 by the Hebrew or 843 by the Assyrian chronology) Ben-hadad II., who then reigned over that country, with Damascus for his capital, hearing that Elisha had visited the city, sent Hazael to ask the prophet whether he should recover of a serious illness from which he then suffered.  Elisha told his questioner that Ben-hadad should not recover, and that Hazael himself should be king of Syria, and would perpetrate great cruelties on the people of Israel.  The reply was, "But what, is thy servant which is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?"  Hazael, returning to his sick master, falsely told him that the prophecy was that he should recover, and next day assassinating him, reigned in his stead (2 Kings viii. 7-15).  About 849 B.C. the new king gained the mastery over the ten tribes, the Syrian domination continuing through the remainder of his reign and through that of his son and successor Ben-hadad III (xiii. 3).  In the reign of Jehoash, king of Judah, about 840 B.C., Hazael after capturing Gath, threatened Jerusalem, but was bought off by being given the dedicated treasures of the Temple (xii. 17, 18).  He seems to have died the same year.
    ¶ The house of Hazael.—Damascus (Amos i. 4). (The Sunday School Teacher's Bible Manual, Hunter, 1894).