2 Kings 5:7
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֡י
H1961
וַיְהִ֡י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 29
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּקְרֹא֩
had read
H7121
כִּקְרֹא֩
had read
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
2 of 29
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 29
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַסֵּ֜פֶר
the letter
H5612
הַסֵּ֜פֶר
the letter
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
6 of 29
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
וַיִּקְרַ֣ע
that he rent
H7167
וַיִּקְרַ֣ע
that he rent
Strong's:
H7167
Word #:
7 of 29
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
הַאֱלֹהִ֥ים
Am I God
H430
הַאֱלֹהִ֥ים
Am I God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 29
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לְהָמִ֣ית
to kill
H4191
לְהָמִ֣ית
to kill
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
12 of 29
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וּֽלְהַחֲי֔וֹת
and to make alive
H2421
וּֽלְהַחֲי֔וֹת
and to make alive
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
13 of 29
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
זֶה֙
that this man
H2088
זֶה֙
that this man
Strong's:
H2088
Word #:
15 of 29
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
שֹׁלֵ֣חַ
doth send
H7971
שֹׁלֵ֣חַ
doth send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
16 of 29
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לֶֽאֱסֹ֥ף
unto me to recover
H622
לֶֽאֱסֹ֥ף
unto me to recover
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
18 of 29
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
אִ֖ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
19 of 29
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)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַךְ
wherefore
H389
אַךְ
wherefore
Strong's:
H389
Word #:
22 of 29
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
דְּעוּ
consider
H3045
דְּעוּ
consider
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
23 of 29
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
נָא֙
H4994
נָא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
24 of 29
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
וּרְא֔וּ
I pray you and see
H7200
וּרְא֔וּ
I pray you and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
25 of 29
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
26 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִתְאַנֶּ֥ה
how he seeketh a quarrel
H579
מִתְאַנֶּ֥ה
how he seeketh a quarrel
Strong's:
H579
Word #:
27 of 29
to approach; hence, to meet in various senses
Cross References
1 Samuel 2:6The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.Genesis 30:2And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?1 Kings 20:7Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.Deuteronomy 32:39See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.Luke 11:54Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
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
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
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.