2 Kings 5:1

Authorized King James Version

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְ֠נַֽעֲמָן

H5283

Now Naaman

naaman, the name of an israelite and of a damascene

שַׂר

H8269

captain

a head person (of any rank or class)

צְבָ֨א

H6635

of the host

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

of the king

a king

לַֽאֲרָ֑ם

H758

of Syria

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

הָיָ֣ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וְהָאִ֗ישׁ

H376

man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

גָּד֨וֹל

H1419

was a great

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

פָנִ֔ים

H6440

with

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#10

אֲדֹנָיו֙

H113

his master

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

#11

וּנְשֻׂ֣א

H5375

and honourable

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

#12

פָנִ֔ים

H6440

with

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#13

כִּי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#14

ב֛וֹ

#15

נָֽתַן

H5414

had given

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#16

יְהוָ֥ה

H3068

because by him the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#17

תְּשׁוּעָ֖ה

H8668

deliverance

rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)

#18

לַֽאֲרָ֑ם

H758

of Syria

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

#19

וְהָאִ֗ישׁ

H376

man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#20

הָיָ֛ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#21

גִּבּ֥וֹר

H1368

he was also a mighty

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

#22

חַ֖יִל

H2428

in valour

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

#23

מְצֹרָֽע׃

H6879

but he was a leper

to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Kings chapter 5 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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