1130. Ben-hadad

Lexical Summary

Ben-hadad: Ben-hadad

Original Word: בֶּן־הֲדַד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ben-Hadad
Pronunciation: ben-hah-DAD
Phonetic Spelling: (ben-had-ad')
KJV: Ben-hadad
NASB: Ben-hadad
Word Origin: [from H1121 (בֵּן - sons) and H1908 (הֲדַד - Hadad)]

1. son of Hadad
2. Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Ben-hadad

From ben and Hadad; son of Hadad; Ben-Hadad, the name of several Syrian kings -- Ben-hadad.

see HEBREW ben

see HEBREW Hadad

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ben and Hadad
Definition
"son of Hadad," the name of several Aramean (Syrian) kings
NASB Translation
Ben-hadad (25).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

בֶּןהֲֿדַד proper name, masculine (apparently son of (god) Hadad = Aramaic , ᵑ6 PS compare Bae^{Rel 68}; also Babylonian Bin-addu-natan etc., Pinches^{PB Feb. 1883, 71}; Assyrian Bir-Dadda COT 1 Kings 20:1 Hpt^{Hebraica 1885, 224}, but compare ᵐ5 υιὃς Ἀδερ, & Dl^{ZK, ii, 1885, 161 f.}; see also Schr^{KG 375 ff, 538 f.}) name for king of Aram Jeremiah 49:27; in particular; —

1 time of Asa & Baasha 1 Kings 15:18,20 2Chronicles 16:2,4.

2 son of 1 (compare 1 Kings 20:34) Assyrian Dad-idri COT (Bir-idri Dl¹ with) 1 Kings 20:1,3,5,9,10,16,17,20,26,30,32,33 (twice in verse); 2 Kings 6:24; 2 Kings 8:7; 2 Kings 8:9.

3 son of Hazael 2 Kings 13:3,24,25 compare Amos 1:4. — see הדד.

Topical Lexicon

Etymology and Regal Title

“Ben-hadad” means “son of Hadad,” Hadad being the prominent Northwest-Semitic storm-god. In Syria this throne-name functioned like “Pharaoh” in Egypt, borne successively by Aramean kings ruling from Damascus.

Historical Background

During the ninth and eighth centuries BC three distinct kings of Aram-Damascus carried the name:

1. Ben-hadad I, contemporary with King Asa of Judah and Baasha of Israel (circa 900 BC).
2. Ben-hadad II, contemporary with Ahab, Jehoram, and Jehoshaphat (circa 875–842 BC).
3. Ben-hadad III, son of Hazael, contemporary with Jehoahaz and Jehoash of Israel (circa 796–780 BC).

The twenty-five occurrences listed span all three reigns and display God’s sovereign dealings with Israel, Judah, and the surrounding nations.

Ben-hadad I: Ally Turned Instrument of Judgment

First mentioned in 1 Kings 15:18-20 and the parallel 2 Chronicles 16:2-4, Ben-hadad I accepted silver and gold from King Asa to break a treaty with Baasha of Israel. Asa hoped to end Baasha’s fortification of Ramah:

“Then Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel… and when Baasha heard of it, he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.” (1 Kings 15:20)

The tactic succeeded militarily, yet the prophet Hanani rebuked Asa for relying on a pagan king instead of the Lord (2 Chronicles 16:7-9). Ben-hadad I thus illustrates how God may use foreign power both to discipline His people and to expose misplaced trust.

Ben-hadad II: Arrogance Before the Living God

The largest cluster of references (1 Kings 20; 2 Kings 6–8) concerns Ben-hadad II. His account unfolds in three movements:

1. Siege and Humiliation at Samaria (1 Kings 20)
• He besieged Samaria, boasting, “Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.” (1 Kings 20:3)
• Twice the Lord delivered Israel through Ahab: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Because Aram has said, “The LORD is a god of the hills but not a god of the valleys,” I will deliver all this vast army into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’” (1 Kings 20:28)
• When defeat came, Ben-hadad sued for mercy. Ahab released him on treaty terms (1 Kings 20:32-34), and a prophet condemned Ahab for sparing the man God had devoted to destruction (1 Kings 20:42).

2. Renewed Hostilities and Miraculous Deliverance (2 Kings 6–7)
• Years later Ben-hadad II massed his entire army and “besieged Samaria, causing a great famine.” (2 Kings 6:24-25)
• Elisha foretold sudden deliverance, and the Lord routed the Arameans without an Israelite sword being lifted (2 Kings 7:6-7). The king who once boasted in chariots was powerless against the word of God.

3. Illness and Assassination (2 Kings 8:7-15)
• As Ben-hadad lay sick, he sent Hazael to inquire of Elisha: “Shall I recover from this illness?” Elisha answered, “Go and tell him, ‘You will surely recover.’ But the LORD has shown me that he will surely die.” (2 Kings 8:10)
• Hazael smothered his master and seized the throne, fulfilling 1 Kings 19:15 which had named Hazael as God’s next instrument of judgment. Ben-hadad II’s death evidences God’s foreknowledge and the certainty of prophetic word.

Ben-hadad III: Oppressor Turned Target of Grace

Hazael’s son succeeded him (2 Kings 13:24-25). Scripture records two episodes:

1. Covenant Discipline (2 Kings 13:3)

“The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and into the hands of Ben-hadad son of Hazael all their days.”

2. Partial Restoration (2 Kings 13:5, 23-25)
• In response to Jehoahaz’s supplication, “the LORD provided Israel a deliverer” (2 Kings 13:5). Through the prophetic ministry of Elisha, Jehoash later recaptured the cities Ben-hadad III had taken. God’s compassion outweighed Israel’s chronic unfaithfulness.

Prophetic Oracles Concerning Ben-hadad

Jeremiah and Amos look beyond the narrative to declare God’s final verdict on Aram:

• “I will kindle a fire in the walls of Damascus; it will consume the fortresses of Ben-hadad.” (Jeremiah 49:27)
• “I will send fire upon the house of Hazael to consume the fortresses of Ben-hadad.” (Amos 1:4)

These prophecies, likely delivered after the name disappeared from the throne, treat “Ben-hadad” as a dynastic symbol of Aramean might. Their fulfillment under Assyrian conquest underscores the Lord’s rule over history.

Theological Themes

1. Sovereignty of God over Nations: Pagan kings serve divine purposes, whether to chastise covenant people (2 Kings 13:3) or to magnify God’s glory through their defeat (1 Kings 20:28).
2. Reliability of Prophetic Word: From Ahab’s victory predictions to Elisha’s forecast of Ben-hadad II’s death, every oracle stands fulfilled.
3. Danger of Trusting Human Alliances: Asa’s bargain with Ben-hadad I succeeded tactically but drew divine censure (2 Chronicles 16:7-9).
4. Grace Amid Judgment: Even while permitting Ben-hadad III to oppress Israel, “the LORD was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and turned to them” (2 Kings 13:23).

Practical Ministry Insights

• Political or military strength never absolves a nation—or a congregation—from accountability to God.
• Leaders who, like Asa or Ahab, compromise righteousness for expedience reap spiritual loss.
• God’s deliverance often arrives in ways that leave no doubt of His hand, encouraging believers to rest in His promises rather than in human schemes.
• Persistent prayer, as modeled by Jehoahaz, can still move God’s heart even after long rebellion, offering hope for wayward individuals and churches.

Summary

Ben-hadad, recurring throne-name of Aram-Damascus, threads through Old Testament history as foil, scourge, and eventual target of divine judgment. His account affirms that the Most High “rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He wishes” (cf. Daniel 4:32), and that His covenant mercy shines brightest against the backdrop of human pride and political intrigue.

Forms and Transliterations

הֲ֠דַד הֲדַ֔ד הֲדַ֖ד הֲדַ֗ד הֲדַ֛ד הֲדַ֜ד הֲדַ֣ד הֲדַ֤ד הֲדַ֥ד הֲדַד֙ הֲדַד֩ הֲדָֽד׃ הדד הדד׃ hă·ḏaḏ hă·ḏāḏ Hadad hăḏaḏ hăḏāḏ

Englishman's Concordance

1 Kings 15:18
HEB: אֶל־ בֶּן־ הֲ֠דַד בֶּן־ טַבְרִמֹּ֤ן
NAS: sent them to Ben-hadad the son
KJV: sent them to Benhadad, the son
INT: Asa about Ben-hadad the son of Tabrimmon

1 Kings 15:20
HEB: וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע בֶּן־ הֲדַ֜ד אֶל־ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
NAS: So Ben-hadad listened to King
KJV: So Benhadad hearkened unto king
INT: listened Ben-hadad to King

1 Kings 20:1
HEB: וּבֶן־ הֲדַ֣ד מֶֽלֶךְ־ אֲרָ֗ם
NAS: Now Ben-hadad king of Aram
KJV: And Benhadad the king of Syria
INT: now Ben-hadad king of Aram

1 Kings 20:3
HEB: אָמַ֣ר בֶּן־ הֲדַ֔ד כַּסְפְּךָ֥ וּֽזְהָבְךָ֖
INT: such answer Ben-hadad your silver and your gold

1 Kings 20:5
HEB: אָמַ֥ר בֶּן־ הֲדַ֖ד לֵאמֹ֑ר כִּֽי־
NAS: Thus says Ben-hadad, 'Surely, I sent
KJV: Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying,
INT: Thus says Ben-hadad saying Surely

1 Kings 20:9
HEB: לְמַלְאֲכֵ֣י בֶן־ הֲדַ֗ד אִמְר֞וּ לַֽאדֹנִ֤י
NAS: to the messengers of Ben-hadad, Tell
KJV: unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell
INT: said to the messengers of Ben-hadad Tell my lord

1 Kings 20:10
HEB: אֵלָיו֙ בֶּן־ הֲדַ֔ד וַיֹּ֕אמֶר כֹּֽה־
NAS: Ben-hadad sent to him and said,
KJV: And Benhadad sent unto him, and said,
INT: sent about Ben-hadad and said so

1 Kings 20:16
HEB: בַּֽצָּהֳרָ֑יִם וּבֶן־ הֲדַד֩ שֹׁתֶ֨ה שִׁכּ֜וֹר
NAS: out at noon, while Ben-hadad was drinking
KJV: at noon. But Benhadad [was] drinking
INT: went noon Ben-hadad was drinking drunk

1 Kings 20:17
HEB: וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח בֶּן־ הֲדַ֗ד וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ לוֹ֙
NAS: out first; and Ben-hadad sent
KJV: first; and Benhadad sent out,
INT: first sent and Ben-hadad told saying

1 Kings 20:20
HEB: וַיִּמָּלֵ֗ט בֶּן־ הֲדַד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם
NAS: pursued them, and Ben-hadad king
KJV: pursued them: and Benhadad the king
INT: and Israel escaped and Ben-hadad king of Aram

1 Kings 20:26
HEB: וַיִּפְקֹ֥ד בֶּן־ הֲדַ֖ד אֶת־ אֲרָ֑ם
NAS: of the year, Ben-hadad mustered
KJV: of the year, that Benhadad numbered
INT: of the year mustered Ben-hadad the Arameans and went

1 Kings 20:30
HEB: הַנּוֹתָרִ֑ים וּבֶן־ הֲדַ֣ד נָ֔ס וַיָּבֹ֥א
NAS: who were left. And Ben-hadad fled
KJV: [that were] left. And Benhadad fled,
INT: men were left and Ben-hadad fled and came

1 Kings 20:32
HEB: עַבְדְּךָ֧ בֶן־ הֲדַ֛ד אָמַ֖ר תְּחִֽי־
NAS: Your servant Ben-hadad says,
KJV: Thy servant Benhadad saith,
INT: and said your servant Ben-hadad says keep leave

1 Kings 20:33
HEB: אָחִ֣יךָ בֶן־ הֲדַ֔ד וַיֹּ֖אמֶר בֹּ֣אוּ
NAS: Your brother Ben-hadad. Then he said,
KJV: Thy brother Benhadad. Then he said,
INT: said your brother Ben-hadad said Go

1 Kings 20:33
HEB: אֵלָיו֙ בֶּן־ הֲדַ֔ד וַֽיַּעֲלֵ֖הוּ עַל־
NAS: bring him. Then Ben-hadad came
KJV: ye, bring him. Then Benhadad came forth
INT: came about Ben-hadad took into

2 Kings 6:24
HEB: וַיִּקְבֹּ֛ץ בֶּן־ הֲדַ֥ד מֶֽלֶךְ־ אֲרָ֖ם
NAS: this, that Ben-hadad king
KJV: And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king
INT: this gathered Ben-hadad king of Aram

2 Kings 8:7
HEB: דַּמֶּ֔שֶׂק וּבֶן־ הֲדַ֥ד מֶֽלֶךְ־ אֲרָ֖ם
NAS: to Damascus. Now Ben-hadad king
KJV: to Damascus; and Benhadad the king
INT: Elisha to Damascus now Ben-hadad king of Aram

2 Kings 8:9
HEB: בִּנְךָ֨ בֶן־ הֲדַ֤ד מֶֽלֶךְ־ אֲרָם֙
NAS: Your son Ben-hadad king
KJV: Thy son Benhadad king
INT: and said your son Ben-hadad king of Aram

2 Kings 13:3
HEB: וּבְיַ֛ד בֶּן־ הֲדַ֥ד בֶּן־ חֲזָאֵ֖ל
NAS: and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son
KJV: and into the hand of Benhadad the son
INT: of Aram the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael

2 Kings 13:24
HEB: וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ בֶּן־ הֲדַ֥ד בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃
NAS: died, Ben-hadad his son
KJV: died; and Benhadad his son
INT: of Aram became Ben-hadad his son his place

2 Kings 13:25
HEB: מִיַּד֙ בֶּן־ הֲדַ֣ד בֶּן־ חֲזָאֵ֔ל
NAS: from the hand of Ben-hadad the son
KJV: out of the hand of Benhadad the son
INT: the cities the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael

2 Chronicles 16:2
HEB: אֶל־ בֶּן־ הֲדַד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם
NAS: and sent them to Ben-hadad king
KJV: and sent to Benhadad king
INT: and sent about Ben-hadad king of Aram

2 Chronicles 16:4
HEB: וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע בֶּן הֲדַ֜ד אֶל־ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
NAS: So Ben-hadad listened to King
KJV: And Benhadad hearkened unto king
INT: listened Ben-hadad against to King

Jeremiah 49:27
HEB: אַרְמְנ֥וֹת בֶּן־ הֲדָֽד׃ ס
NAS: the fortified towers of Ben-hadad.
KJV: the palaces of Benhadad.
INT: will devour the fortified of Ben-hadad

Amos 1:4
HEB: אַרְמְנ֥וֹת בֶּן־ הֲדָֽד׃
NAS: the citadels of Ben-hadad.
KJV: the palaces of Benhadad.
INT: will consume the citadels of Ben-hadad

25 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1130
25 Occurrences

hă·ḏaḏ — 25 Occ.