2 Kings 5:1
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠נַֽעֲמָן
Now Naaman
H5283
וְ֠נַֽעֲמָן
Now Naaman
Strong's:
H5283
Word #:
1 of 23
naaman, the name of an israelite and of a damascene
צְבָ֨א
of the host
H6635
צְבָ֨א
of the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
3 of 23
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
לַֽאֲרָ֑ם
of Syria
H758
לַֽאֲרָ֑ם
of Syria
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
5 of 23
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
הָיָ֣ה
H1961
הָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וְהָאִ֗ישׁ
man
H376
וְהָאִ֗ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 23
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)
גָּד֨וֹל
was a great
H1419
גָּד֨וֹל
was a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
8 of 23
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
פָנִ֔ים
with
H6440
פָנִ֔ים
with
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וּנְשֻׂ֣א
and honourable
H5375
וּנְשֻׂ֣א
and honourable
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
11 of 23
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
פָנִ֔ים
with
H6440
פָנִ֔ים
with
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָֽתַן
had given
H5414
נָֽתַן
had given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֥ה
because by him the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
because by him the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
תְּשׁוּעָ֖ה
deliverance
H8668
תְּשׁוּעָ֖ה
deliverance
Strong's:
H8668
Word #:
17 of 23
rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)
לַֽאֲרָ֑ם
of Syria
H758
לַֽאֲרָ֑ם
of Syria
Strong's:
H758
Word #:
18 of 23
aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite
וְהָאִ֗ישׁ
man
H376
וְהָאִ֗ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
19 of 23
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)
הָיָ֛ה
H1961
הָיָ֛ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
20 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
גִּבּ֥וֹר
he was also a mighty
H1368
גִּבּ֥וֹר
he was also a mighty
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
21 of 23
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
Cross References
Luke 4:27And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.Romans 15:18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,Proverbs 21:31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.Deuteronomy 2:37Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us.Esther 9:4For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.Exodus 11:3And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.2 Kings 4:8And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
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
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
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 reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. 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.