2 Kings 5:21

Authorized King James Version

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So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּרְדֹּ֥ף followed H7291
וַיִּרְדֹּ֥ף followed
Strong's: H7291
Word #: 1 of 14
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
גֵּֽיחֲזִ֖י So Gehazi H1522
גֵּֽיחֲזִ֖י So Gehazi
Strong's: H1522
Word #: 2 of 14
gechazi, the servant of elisha
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו after H310
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 3 of 14
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
נַֽעֲמָן֙ And when Naaman H5283
נַֽעֲמָן֙ And when Naaman
Strong's: H5283
Word #: 4 of 14
naaman, the name of an israelite and of a damascene
וַיִּרְאֶ֤ה saw H7200
וַיִּרְאֶ֤ה saw
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 5 of 14
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
נַֽעֲמָן֙ And when Naaman H5283
נַֽעֲמָן֙ And when Naaman
Strong's: H5283
Word #: 6 of 14
naaman, the name of an israelite and of a damascene
רָ֣ץ him running H7323
רָ֣ץ him running
Strong's: H7323
Word #: 7 of 14
to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו after H310
אַֽחֲרָ֔יו after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 8 of 14
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וַיִּפֹּ֞ל him he lighted down H5307
וַיִּפֹּ֞ל him he lighted down
Strong's: H5307
Word #: 9 of 14
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מֵעַ֧ל H5921
מֵעַ֧ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 10 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמֶּרְכָּבָ֛ה from the chariot H4818
הַמֶּרְכָּבָ֛ה from the chariot
Strong's: H4818
Word #: 11 of 14
a chariot
לִקְרָאת֖וֹ to meet H7125
לִקְרָאת֖וֹ to meet
Strong's: H7125
Word #: 12 of 14
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר him and said H559
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר him and said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 13 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
הֲשָׁלֽוֹם׃ Is all well H7965
הֲשָׁלֽוֹם׃ Is all well
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 14 of 14
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

Analysis & Commentary

So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 5: God's grace extends to Gentiles; judgment on greed. 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

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