2 Kings Chapter 5 · Verse 16

Authorized King James Version

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But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר But he said H559
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר But he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 12
to say (used with great latitude)
חַי liveth H2416
חַי liveth
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 2 of 12
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֛ה As the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֛ה As the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָמַ֥דְתִּי whom I stand H5975
עָמַ֥דְתִּי whom I stand
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 5 of 12
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְפָנָ֖יו before H6440
לְפָנָ֖יו before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 6 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 7 of 12
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לָקַ֖חַת I will receive H3947
לָקַ֖חַת I will receive
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 8 of 12
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וַיִּפְצַר none And he urged H6484
וַיִּפְצַר none And he urged
Strong's: H6484
Word #: 9 of 12
to peck at, i.e., (figuratively) stun or dull
בּ֥וֹ H0
בּ֥וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 10 of 12
לָקַ֖חַת I will receive H3947
לָקַ֖חַת I will receive
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 11 of 12
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וַיְמָאֵֽן׃ it but he refused H3985
וַיְמָאֵֽן׃ it but he refused
Strong's: H3985
Word #: 12 of 12
to refuse

Analysis & Commentary

But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

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.

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