Chazael and the Tel Dan Stele/0

Chazael and the Tel Dan Stele

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Overview

The Tel Dan Stele is most well known for its mention of the "House of David," considered by many to be the earliest extra-Biblical reference to the Davidic dynasty yet discovered.  The Aramaic inscription describes the triumph of Aram over Israel and Yehuda and is believed to speak of Chazael's war against Yehoram and Achazyah, discussed briefly in Melakhim II 8.

Biblical Sources

Chazael is first mentioned in Melakhim I 18, where Hashem tells Eliyahu to anoint him as king over Aram, declaring that he will decimate the nation for their sins. The appointment is first fulfilled in the time of Elisha, who reaffirms the prophecy, telling Chazael not only that he is to be king, but that "יָדַעְתִּי אֵת אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל רָעָה מִבְצְרֵיהֶם תְּשַׁלַּח בָּאֵשׁ וּבַחֻרֵיהֶם בַּחֶרֶב תַּהֲרֹג וְעֹלְלֵיהֶם תְּרַטֵּשׁ וְהָרֹתֵיהֶם תְּבַקֵּעַ" (Melakhim II 8:7:12). The words come true as Chazael proceeds to attack Israel during the reigns of Yehoram, Yehu and Yehoachaz.