Definition: But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 13:22 together. It's a really important and somewhat sobering passage about a time in ancient history. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that Hazael the Syrian ruler was causing trouble and oppression for many years in Israel. Let’s unpack it further: “But Hazael king of Syria…” : This tells us who the person is – a leader named Hazael from Syria. He was a powerful person in the region. “…oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz” : This is the core of the verse. “Israel” refers to the Israelites, the people God gave to Abraham and his descendants. "All the days of Jehoahaz" means he ruled for a long time – essentially for many years. So, Hazael was consistently causing problems and hardship for them. What does this tell us about the situation? This verse is significant because it highlights a period of instability and suffering in Israel under Hazael’s rule. It suggests that his actions were leading to a prolonged time of difficulty and perhaps even war or conflict for the Israelites. Important Note: This passage is often interpreted as a sign that God was deliberately allowing this situation to occur, possibly because it was causing distress to the people. It's not necessarily about why God allowed it, but rather that it was a consequence of his actions. In short, this verse describes a time when Hazael’s rule was leading to significant hardship and oppression for the Israelites. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context of this verse in more detail (like what historical period it happened in)? Explore why this story is important in biblical interpretation?