2 Kings Chapter 5

What is the meaning of 2 Kings 5?

Introduction to 2 Kings 5

The narrative of 2 Kings 5 presents one of the most compelling stories of divine healing, humility, and transformation in the Old Testament. This chapter chronicles the miraculous healing of Naaman, a prominent Aramean military commander afflicted with leprosy, through the ministry of the prophet Elisha. The account masterfully weaves together themes of pride versus humility, the power of simple faith, and the universal reach of יהוה (Yahweh)’s mercy beyond the borders of Israel.

At its heart, this chapter demonstrates how the God of Israel works in unexpected ways, often through unlikely vessels, to accomplish His purposes and reveal His glory to all nations. The story challenges our preconceptions about power, status, and divine intervention, while illustrating how true healing—both physical and spiritual—often requires humility and obedience to God’s Word.

Context of 2 Kings 5

Within the immediate context of 2 Kings, this chapter appears during the prophetic ministry of Elisha, who succeeded Elijah as Israel’s primary prophet. The narrative takes place during a period of relative peace between Israel and Aram (Syria), though these nations were often in conflict. This temporary peace allowed for the kind of cross-border interaction we see in the chapter, where a Syrian commander could seek healing from an Israelite prophet.

The larger biblical context reveals this story’s significance in demonstrating God’s heart for the nations. Coming after the division of Solomon’s kingdom and during a time of increasing idolatry in Israel, this account shows how יהוה (Yahweh) continued to work through His prophets to reveal Himself to both Israelites and Gentiles. The healing of Naaman foreshadows the future inclusion of Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan, a theme that becomes prominent in prophetic literature and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah’s ministry.

This chapter also sits within the broader biblical theme of God using unlikely circumstances and people to accomplish His purposes. Like Rahab the Canaanite or Ruth the Moabitess, Naaman becomes another example of how God’s grace extends beyond Israel’s borders, pointing toward the universal scope of divine redemption that would be fully revealed in Yeshua.

Ancient Key Word Study

• צָרַעַת (tsara’at) – “Leprosy”: In biblical Hebrew, this term encompasses various skin conditions beyond modern Hansen’s disease. Its significance lies in its ritual impurity implications, making it both a physical and spiritual affliction. The word appears 35 times in the Torah, symbolizing spiritual corruption and the need for divine cleansing.
• נַעַר קְטַנָּה (na’arah q’tanah) – “Little maiden”: The Hebrew phrase emphasizes both the youth and insignificance of the Israelite slave girl. The word נַעַר specifically suggests someone young and inexperienced, yet her faith proves more mature than many adults in the narrative.
• אָסַף (asaph) – “Gather/Remove”: Used in verse 3 regarding the healing of leprosy, this verb carries connotations of both physical gathering and spiritual restoration. Its usage here suggests complete healing rather than mere management of symptoms.
• שָׁלוֹם (shalom) – “Peace”: Appearing in Naaman’s greeting, this term encompasses total well-being—physical, spiritual, and social. Its use highlights the comprehensive nature of the healing sought and received.
• רָחַץ (rachats) – “Wash”: The command to wash seven times carries ceremonial significance. This root appears frequently in purification contexts, suggesting both physical cleansing and spiritual renewal.
• טָהֵר (taher) – “Clean”: Beyond physical cleanliness, this term implies ritual purity and moral wholesomeness. Its use in verse 14 indicates both physical healing and spiritual transformation.
• קָטֹן (qaton) – “Simple/Small”: Used to describe the Jordan River, this word emphasizes the contrast between human expectations and divine methods. The term appears in contexts where God chooses the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His purposes.
• נַעַר (na’ar) – “Servant”: Applied to Gehazi, this term contrasts with his role as prophet’s servant, highlighting the disparity between his position and his actions. The word implies both youth and subordinate status.
• כִּכָּר (kikkar) – “Talent”: The weight measurement used for silver, representing significant wealth. Its usage emphasizes the magnitude of Gehazi’s greed and subsequent punishment.
• בָּשָׂר (basar) – “Flesh”: Used to describe Naaman’s restored skin, this term often carries covenantal significance in Scripture. Its use here suggests complete restoration to health and community.

Compare & Contrast

• 2 Kings 5:1: The description of Naaman as “great man” (אִישׁ גָּדוֹל) before his master deliberately contrasts with his need to humble himself before a seemingly lesser prophet. The Hebrew could have used חָשׁוּב (important) or נִכְבָּד (honored), but גָּדוֹל emphasizes both his physical and social stature, making his subsequent humbling more dramatic.
• 2 Kings 5:10: Elisha’s command to “wash seven times” (רָחַץ שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים) employs the perfect number seven, suggesting complete purification. The text could have used טָבַל (dip) instead of רָחַץ, but רָחַץ carries stronger ceremonial connotations of purification.
• 2 Kings 5:11: Naaman’s expectation that Elisha would “wave his hand” (הֵנִיף יָדוֹ) uses ceremonial language typically associated with priestly rituals. The phrase highlights the contrast between human religious expectations and God’s simple requirements.
• 2 Kings 5:14: The description of Naaman’s healed flesh as “like a young boy” (כִּבְשַׂר נַעַר קָטֹן) could have simply stated he was healed, but the comparison to youth emphasizes complete restoration and new beginning.
• 2 Kings 5:15: Naaman’s confession “Now I know” (הִנֵּה־נָא יָדַעְתִּי) uses the particle נָא to emphasize the personal nature of his revelation. This construction emphasizes experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual assent.
• 2 Kings 5:17: The request for “two mule-loads of earth” (מַשָּׂא צֶמֶד־פְּרָדִים אֲדָמָה) reflects ancient Near Eastern beliefs about territorial deities while showing Naaman’s sincere, if imperfect, faith development.
• 2 Kings 5:27: The curse on Gehazi that the leprosy would “cling” (דָּבַק) to him forever uses a word often associated with covenant relationships, ironically highlighting his permanent separation from community.

2 Kings 5 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several profound theological and supernatural elements that deserve special attention. The role of the young Israelite servant girl presents a fascinating study in divine providence. According to Midrash Tanchuma, this girl was specifically placed in Naaman’s household by divine arrangement, much like Joseph in Egypt, to bring about God’s purposes of revelation to the nations. Her simple faith and willingness to speak about the God of Israel from a position of captivity demonstrates extraordinary spiritual maturity.

The number seven in Naaman’s washing carries significant symbolic weight in Jewish tradition. The Talmud (Sotah 34b) connects the seven dips to the seven steps of purification required for the מְצֹרָע (metzora – leper) in Levitical law. This connection suggests that Naaman’s physical healing was accompanied by a spiritual purification process, making him ritually clean according to Torah standards—a remarkable provision for a Gentile commander.

Early Christian writers like Tertullian saw in Naaman’s healing a prefiguration of Gentile baptism and salvation. The Jordan River, later to become the site of Yeshua’s baptism, serves as a powerful symbol of cleansing and new beginning. The requirement for Naaman to humble himself by washing in the seemingly insignificant Jordan rather than the greater rivers of Damascus reflects the spiritual principle that divine healing often requires humbling oneself before God’s chosen means of grace.

The account of Gehazi’s punishment presents a sobering contrast to Naaman’s healing. According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, this juxtaposition teaches that spiritual corruption (represented by Gehazi’s greed) is more dangerous than physical corruption (Naaman’s leprosy). The immediate transfer of leprosy to Gehazi demonstrates divine justice and the serious consequences of attempting to profit from God’s miraculous works.

2 Kings 5 Connections to Yeshua

The healing of Naaman prefigures several aspects of Yeshua’s ministry and the gospel message. Just as Naaman had to humble himself to receive healing in what seemed like a foolish method, so too did the Messiah come in a form that many would reject—not as a mighty warrior but as a humble servant. The offense Naaman initially took at the simplicity of the cure parallels the stumbling block of the cross, which seems too simple and humble a means of salvation to many (1 Corinthians 1:23).

The universal nature of God’s healing power demonstrated in this chapter anticipates Yeshua’s ministry to both Jews and Gentiles. Indeed, the Messiah specifically references this account in Luke 4:27, using it to illustrate God’s heart for the nations and His sovereign choice in healing. The fact that Naaman, a Gentile, received healing while many lepers in Israel remained unhealed points to the mystery of divine election and the eventual inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan.

2 Kings 5 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages and themes. The healing of Naaman finds parallel in other miraculous healings throughout Scripture, from Moses’s sister Miriam (Numbers 12:10-15) to the ten lepers healed by Yeshua (Luke 17:11-19). The theme of washing for cleansing echoes the ritual purifications of Leviticus and points forward to the waters of baptism.

The story connects to the broader biblical theme of God’s concern for the nations, seen in passages like Isaiah 49:6 where God declares His servant will be “a light to the nations.” The humble faith of the captured Israelite girl mirrors that of Daniel and his friends in Babylon, demonstrating how God uses faithful witnesses in foreign lands.

Gehazi’s fate recalls the judgment on Miriam’s leprosy and serves as a warning about greed and deception, themes that resonate with the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. The chapter’s emphasis on humility and obedience finds echoes throughout Scripture, from Moses at the burning bush to Peter’s vision of clean and unclean animals.

2 Kings 5 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own expectations of how God works in our lives. Like Naaman, we often come to God with preconceived notions of how He should act or answer our prayers. The story reminds us that God’s methods may seem too simple or beneath our dignity, but true healing—whether physical, spiritual, or emotional—often requires humbling ourselves before His instructions.

Consider the role of the servant girl—someone seemingly powerless yet used mightily by God. Her example encourages us to remain faithful witnesses regardless of our circumstances. We may feel insignificant or displaced, but God can use our simple testimony to bring about remarkable transformation in others’ lives.

The contrast between Naaman and Gehazi provides a powerful lesson about the heart. Naaman’s initial pride gave way to humble obedience, leading to both physical and spiritual healing. Gehazi’s greed led to his downfall despite his privileged position as the prophet’s servant. This prompts us to examine our own hearts: Are we willing to humble ourselves before God’s methods? Do we serve Him purely or seek to profit from spiritual things?

Did You Know

• The Aramaic kingdom where Naaman served was centered in Damascus, and archaeological evidence confirms the military conflicts and occasional peaceful interactions between Aram and Israel described in the biblical narrative.
• The Jordan River’s minerals and mud have been scientifically proven to have therapeutic properties, particularly for skin conditions, adding an interesting natural dimension to this supernatural healing.
• The “two mules’ burden of earth” requested by Naaman reflects an ancient Near Eastern belief that deities were tied to their territorial soil, though Naaman’s request shows an imperfect but growing understanding of יהוה (Yahweh)’s universal sovereignty.
• The Hebrew word for leprosy (צָרַעַת) could describe various skin conditions, not just Hansen’s disease, and was seen as both a physical and spiritual affliction requiring isolation from the community.
• The value of the gifts Naaman brought (750 shekels of silver and 6,000 pieces of gold) would be worth millions in today’s currency, demonstrating both his wealth and desperation for healing.
• The young Israelite servant girl’s role in this story is particularly remarkable given that female slaves typically had no voice in ancient Near Eastern society.
• The seven-fold immersion prescribed by Elisha parallels other biblical uses of the number seven in purification rituals, including the sprinkling of blood seven times before the Lord in Levitical ceremonies.
• Archaeological discoveries have confirmed that Aramean military commanders of this period often wore long-sleeved garments, possibly to hide skin conditions like Naaman’s leprosy.
• The phrase “flesh of a young boy” used to describe Naaman’s healed skin employs the same Hebrew word (נַעַר) used for the servant girl, creating a literary connection between the young servant’s faith and Naaman’s renewal.
• Elisha’s refusal of payment stands in stark contrast to common ancient Near Eastern practices where prophets and healers typically expected compensation for their services.