2 Kings 5:25

Authorized King James Version

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But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

Original Language Analysis

וְהוּא H1931
וְהוּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 1 of 16
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
בָא֙ But he went in H935
בָא֙ But he went in
Strong's: H935
Word #: 2 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד and stood H5975
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד and stood
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 3 of 16
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֲדֹנָ֔יו before his master H113
אֲדֹנָ֔יו before his master
Strong's: H113
Word #: 5 of 16
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר And he said H559
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 6 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
אֵלָיו֙ H413
אֵלָיו֙
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֱלִישָׁ֔ע And Elisha H477
אֱלִישָׁ֔ע And Elisha
Strong's: H477
Word #: 8 of 16
elisha, the famous prophet
מֵאַ֖ןִ unto him Whence H370
מֵאַ֖ןִ unto him Whence
Strong's: H370
Word #: 9 of 16
where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence)
גֵּֽחֲזִ֑י comest thou Gehazi H1522
גֵּֽחֲזִ֑י comest thou Gehazi
Strong's: H1522
Word #: 10 of 16
gechazi, the servant of elisha
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר And he said H559
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 11 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָלַ֥ךְ went H1980
הָלַ֥ךְ went
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 13 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עַבְדְּךָ֖ Thy servant H5650
עַבְדְּךָ֖ Thy servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 14 of 16
a servant
וָאָֽנָה׃ no whither H575
וָאָֽנָה׃ no whither
Strong's: H575
Word #: 15 of 16
where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither
וָאָֽנָה׃ no whither H575
וָאָֽנָה׃ no whither
Strong's: H575
Word #: 16 of 16
where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither

Analysis & Commentary

But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

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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