2 Kings 5:24

Authorized King James Version

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And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּבֹא֙ And when he came H935
וַיָּבֹא֙ And when he came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 11
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 11
near, with or among; often in general, to
הָעֹ֔פֶל to the tower H6076
הָעֹ֔פֶל to the tower
Strong's: H6076
Word #: 3 of 11
a tumor
וַיִּקַּ֥ח he took H3947
וַיִּקַּ֥ח he took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 4 of 11
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מִיָּדָ֖ם them from their hand H3027
מִיָּדָ֖ם them from their hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 5 of 11
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיִּפְקֹ֣ד and bestowed H6485
וַיִּפְקֹ֣ד and bestowed
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 6 of 11
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
בַּבָּ֑יִת them in the house H1004
בַּבָּ֑יִת them in the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 7 of 11
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח go H7971
וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח go
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 8 of 11
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים and he let the men H582
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֖ים and he let the men
Strong's: H582
Word #: 10 of 11
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
וַיֵּלֵֽכוּ׃ H1980
וַיֵּלֵֽכוּ׃
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 11 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.

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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