II Kings 5
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Naaman, captain of the host - Of Naaman we know nothing more than is related here. Jarchi and some others say that he was the man who drew the bow at a venture, as we term it, and slew Ahab: see Kg1 22:34 (note), and the notes there. He is not mentioned by Josephus, nor has he any reference to this history; which is very strange, as it exists in the Chaldee, Septuagint, and Syriac. King of Syria - The Hebrew is מלך ארם melech Aram, king of Aram; which is followed by the Chaldee and Arabic. The Syriac has Adom; but as the Syriac dolath is the same element as the Syriac rish, differing only in the position of the diacritic point, it may have been originally Aram. The Septuagint and Vulgate have Syria, and this is a common meaning of the term in Scripture. If the king of Syria be meant, it must be Ben-hadad; and the contemporary king of Israel was Jehoram. A great man - He was held in the highest esteem. And honorable - Had the peculiar favor and confidence of his master; and was promoted to the highest trusts. Had given deliverance unto Syria - That is, as the rabbins state, by his slaying Ahab, king of Israel; in consequence of which the Syrians got the victory. A mighty man in valor - He was a giant, and very strong, according to the Arabic. He had, in a word, all the qualifications of an able general. But he was a leper - Here was a heavy tax upon his grandeur; he was afflicted with a disorder the most loathsome and the most humiliating that could possibly disgrace a human being. God often, in the course of his providence, permits great defects to be associated with great eminence, that he may hide pride from man; and cause him to think soberly of himself and his acquirements.
Open source ↗NAAMAN'S LEPROSY. (Kg2 5:1-7) Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master--highly esteemed for his military character and success. and honourable--rather, "very rich." but he was a leper--This leprosy, which, in Israel, would have excluded him from society, did not affect his free intercourse in the court of Syria.
Open source ↗Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria,.... The general of Benhadad's army; for he was now king of Syria, though some think Hazael his successor was: was a great man with his master; high in his favour and esteem: and honourable; not only acceptable to the king, and loaded with honours by him, but greatly respected by all ranks and degrees among the people: because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria; out of the hands of their enemies, and victory over them, and particularly in the last battle with Israel, in which Ahab was slain, and, as the Jews suppose, by the hands of Naaman; see Gill on Kg1 22:34 however, when any salvation was wrought, or victory obtained, even by Heathens, and by them over Israel, the people of God, it was of the Lord: he was also a mighty man in valour; a very courageous valiant man: but he was a leper; was stricken with the leprosy, which had deformed and disgraced his person, and weakened his strength, and dispirited him; all his grandeur and honour could not protect him from this loathsome disease.
Open source ↗Curing of Naaman from Leprosy. - Kg2 5:1. Naaman, the commander-in-chief of the Syrian king, who was a very great man before his lord, i.e., who held a high place in the service of his king and was greatly distinguished (פּנים נשׂא, cf. Isa 3:3; Isa 9:14), because God had given the Syrians salvation (victory) through him, was as a warrior afflicted with leprosy. The ו has not dropped out before מצרע, nor has the copula been omitted for the purpose of sharpening the antithesis (Thenius), for the appeal to Ewald, 354, a., proves nothing, since the passages quoted there are of a totally different kind; but חיל גּבּור is a second predicate: the man was as a brave warrior leprous. There is an allusion here to the difference between the Syrians and the Israelites in their views of leprosy. Whereas in Israel lepers were excluded from human society (see at Lev 13 and 14), in Syria a man afflicted with leprosy could hold a very high state-office in the closest association with the king. Kg2 5:2-3 And in Naaman's house before his wife, i.e., in her service, there was an Israelitish maiden, whom the Syrians had carried off in a marauding expedition (גדוּדים יצאוּ: they had gone out in (as) marauding bands). She said to her mistress: "O that my lord were before the prophet at Samaria! (where Elisha had a house, Kg2 6:32), he would free him from his leprosy." מצּרעת אסף, to receive (again) from leprosy, in the sense of "to heal," may be explained from Num 12:14-15, where אסף is applied to the reception of Miriam into the camp again, from which she had been excluded on account of her leprosy. Kg2 5:4-5 When Naaman related this to his lord (the king), he told him to go to Samaria furnished with a letter to the king of Israel; and he took with him rich presents as compensation for the…
Open source ↗Our saviour's miracles were intended for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, yet one, like a crumb, fell from the table to a woman of Canaan; so this one miracle Elisha wrought for Naaman, a Syrian; for God does good to all, and will have all men to be saved. Here is, I. The great affliction Naaman was under, in the midst of all his honours, Kg2 5:1. He was a great man, in a great place; not only rich and raised, but particularly happy for two things: - 1. That he had been very serviceable to his country. God made him so: By him the Lord had often given deliverance to Syria, success in their wars even with Israel. The preservation and prosperity even of those that do not know God and serve him must be ascribed to him, for he is the Saviour of all men, but especially of those that believe. Let Israel know that when the Syrians prevailed it was from the Lord. 2. That he was very acceptable to his prince, was his favourite, and prime-minister of state; so great was he, so high, so honourable, and a mighty man of valour; but he was a leper, was under that loathsome disease, which made him a burden to himself. Note, (1.) No man's greatness, or honour, or interest, or valour, or victory, can set him out of the reach of the sorest calamities of human life; there is many a sickly crazy body under rich and gay clothing. (2.) Every man has some but or other in his character, something that blemishes and diminishes him, some allay to his grandeur, some damp to his joy; he may be very happy, very good, yet, in something or other, not so good as he should be nor so happy as he would be. Naaman was a great as the world could make him, and yet (as bishop Hall expresses it) the basest slave in Syria would not change skins with him. II. The notice that was given him of Elisha's power…
Open source ↗5:1 The king of Aram was probably Ben-hadad II (860–843 BC). • the Lord had given Aram great victories: The Lord is sovereign over all nations (Pss 47:8; 99:1-2; Rom 13:1). • from leprosy: Naaman’s access to society and Gehazi’s later social freedom (2 Kgs 8:4-5) suggest that the problem was not Hansen’s disease but another incurable skin disease (see Lev 13:10-11, 45-46).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נַעֲמָן (Naʻămân, H5283) — Naaman, the name of an Israelite and of a Damascene שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) תְּשׁוּעָה (tᵉshûwʻâh, H8668) — rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual) גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
Open source ↗אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… גְּדוּד (gᵉdûwd, H1416) — a crowd (especially of soldiers) שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… נַעֲרָה (naʻărâh, H5291) — a girl (from infancy to adolescence) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… נַעֲמָן (Naʻămân, H5283) — Naaman, the name of an Israelite and of a Damascene אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) גְּבֶרֶת (gᵉbereth, H1404) — mistress אַחֲלַי (ʼachălay, H305) — would that! אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine אָז (ʼâz, H227) — at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… צָרַעַת (tsâraʻath, H6883) — leprosy
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… נַעֲרָה (naʻărâh, H5291) — a girl (from infancy to adolescence) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) כִּכָּר (kikkâr, H3603) — a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) נַעֲמָן (Naʻămân, H5283) — Naaman, the name of an Israelite and of a Damascene עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… צָרַעַת (tsâraʻath, H6883) — leprosy
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book קָרַע (qâraʻ, H7167) — to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive זֶה (zeh, H2088) — the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗אֱלִישָׁע (ʼĔlîyshâʻ, H477) — Elisha, the famous prophet אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קָרַע (qâraʻ, H7167) — to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man
Open source ↗נַעֲמָן (Naʻămân, H5283) — Naaman, the name of an Israelite and of a Damascene בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלִישָׁע (ʼĔlîyshâʻ, H477) — Elisha, the famous prophet
Open source ↗אֱלִישָׁע (ʼĔlîyshâʻ, H477) — Elisha, the famous prophet שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… טָהֵר (ṭâhêr, H2891) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally,…
Open source ↗נַעֲמָן (Naʻămân, H5283) — Naaman, the name of an Israelite and of a Damascene קָצַף (qâtsaph, H7107) — to crack off, i.e. (figuratively) burst out in rage יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נוּף (nûwph, H5130) — to quiver (i.e. vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave…
Open source ↗אֲבָנָה (ʼĂbânâh, H71) — Abanah, a river near Damascus אֲמָנָה (ʼĂmânâh, H549) — Amanah, a mountain near Damascus פַּרְפַּר (Parpar, H6554) — Parpar, a river of Syria נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) טָהֵר (ṭâhêr, H2891) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally,… פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אַף (ʼaph, H637) — meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) טָהֵר (ṭâhêr, H2891) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally,…
Open source ↗יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… טָבַל (ṭâbal, H2881) — to dip, to immerse שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… טָהֵר (ṭâhêr, H2891) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”
I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.
But you did not go near the land of the Ammonites, or the land along the banks of the Jabbok River, or the cities of the hill country, or any place that the LORD our God had forbidden.
And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die?
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”