2 Kings 5:15
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּשָׁב֩
And he returned
H7725
וַיָּשָׁב֩
And he returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 28
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אִ֨ישׁ
to the man
H376
אִ֨ישׁ
to the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 28
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)
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 28
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 of 28
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָֽל
H3605
וְכָֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַחֲנֵ֗הוּ
he and all his company
H4264
מַחֲנֵ֗הוּ
he and all his company
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
7 of 28
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד
and stood
H5975
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד
and stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
9 of 28
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְפָנָיו֒
before
H6440
לְפָנָיו֒
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 28
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
נָ֤א
H4994
נָ֤א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
13 of 28
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙
Behold now I know
H3045
יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙
Behold now I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
14 of 28
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 28
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָ֔רֶץ
in all the earth
H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ
in all the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
19 of 28
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
20 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
21 of 28
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
but in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
but in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
22 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְעַתָּ֛ה
H6258
קַח
now therefore I pray thee take
H3947
קַח
now therefore I pray thee take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
24 of 28
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
נָ֥א
H4994
נָ֥א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
25 of 28
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
Cross References
Daniel 2:47The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.Isaiah 44:8Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.Isaiah 45:6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.Romans 10:10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.2 Corinthians 9:5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.Joshua 9:9And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,1 Kings 18:36And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.2 Kings 5:8And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.1 Samuel 25:27And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 5 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Naaman's Healing and Gehazi's Greed) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 5 regarding god's grace extends to gentiles; judgment on greed?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 5: God's grace extends to Gentiles; judgment on greed. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.
The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.