2 Kings 5 1

2 Kings 5:1 kjv

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.

2 Kings 5:1 nkjv

Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.

2 Kings 5:1 niv

Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.

2 Kings 5:1 esv

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

2 Kings 5:1 nlt

The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.

2 Kings 5 verses

2 Kings 5 1 Meaning

Second Kings chapter 5, verse 1 introduces Naaman, a highly esteemed and powerful commander of the Aramean (Syrian) army, holding the highest military rank under the king. He was greatly honored by his sovereign and recognized as a valiant warrior. Crucially, the verse attributes Syria's military victories to the LORD, the God of Israel, indicating His universal sovereignty. However, despite his extraordinary status, Naaman suffered from leprosy, a condition that brought profound personal affliction, social stigma, and ritual impurity in the ancient world, starkly contrasting with his otherwise exalted position. This sets the stage for the dramatic narrative of his journey to seek healing from the God of Israel.

2 Kings 5 1 Context

This verse serves as the immediate introduction to the prominent character of the chapter, Naaman, and swiftly establishes the central tension of the narrative. It follows a period in the book of Kings where the relationship between Israel and Aram was often volatile, marked by conflict and occasional peace. Historically, Aram (Syria), with its capital Damascus, was a formidable power directly to the north-east of Israel.

Chapter 5 is part of the Elijah-Elisha cycle of narratives, which highlights the prophetic ministry of Elisha and God's powerful work through him. The story of Naaman stands out as a demonstration of God's power extending beyond Israel's borders, showing His concern and ability to act even in a pagan nation for His own purposes. The irony of a powerful Gentile leader needing the help of an Israelite prophet is central to the chapter's theme, setting up a confrontation not only between health and sickness but also between national pride and humble obedience to the true God.

2 Kings 5 1 Word analysis

• Naaman (וְנַעֲמָן, Na'aman): The name itself means "pleasantness" or "agreeable." This carries an ironic weight given his severe condition that renders him anything but "pleasant" or socially "agreeable" in the cultural context of the time.
• captain of the host (שַׂר־צְבָא, sar-tseva): This Hebrew term signifies the "commander of the army" or "chief of staff," denoting the highest military office in the Aramean kingdom, subordinate only to the king himself. It establishes his significant power and influence.
• king of Syria (מֶלֶךְ אֲרָם, melekh Aram): Syria, or Aram, was a powerful, often adversarial nation to Israel. Mentioning "the king of Aram" places Naaman within a geopolitical context of a dominant regional force.
• was a great man (הָיָה אִישׁ גָּדוֹל, hayah ish gadol): "Great man" indicates Naaman's immense importance, not only in terms of rank but also in general societal standing, reputation, and perhaps personal stature.
• with his master (לִפְנֵי אֲדֹנָיו, lifnei adonav): Literally "before his lord," emphasizing his favored status and high regard in the eyes of the king. He had the king's ear and trust.
• and honourable (וּנְשׂוּא פָנִים, u-nesu panim): Literally "lifted of face" or "one whose face is lifted." This idiom indicates someone who is held in high esteem, looked upon with favor, or shown preference. It suggests not only honor but also influence and acceptance within the royal court.
• because by him (כִּי בוֹ, ki vo): "Because by means of him." This phrase directly links Naaman to the reason for his prestige.
• the LORD (יְהוָה, YHVH): The sacred personal name of the God of Israel (Yahweh). His explicit mention as the source of Aram's victory is profoundly significant. It's a clear statement of universal sovereignty, declaring that even pagan nations and their military successes are under the divine hand of Yahweh, not their own gods (like Hadad, the Aramean storm-god, or Baal). This directly challenges polytheistic beliefs of the time, functioning as a subtle polemic against the Aramean gods.
• had given deliverance unto Syria (נָתַן יְהוָה תְּשׁוּעָה לַאֲרָם, natan YHVH teshu'ah la'Aram): "The LORD had given salvation/victory to Aram." This is a stunning theological point: God's hand is seen actively providing victory to a pagan, often hostile, nation. This pre-establishes Yahweh's unparalleled power, not confined to Israel, laying the groundwork for Naaman's subsequent encounter with this same God. It emphasizes that even gentile prosperity or victory is subject to the will of Israel's God.
• he was also a mighty man in valour (וְהָאִישׁ גִּבּוֹר חַיִל, v'ha'ish gibbor chayil): "And the man was a mighty warrior." This re-emphasizes his military prowess, courage, and effectiveness in battle. "Gibbor chayil" is a common Hebrew phrase for a heroic or valiant warrior.
• but (אֲבָל, aval): This strong adversative conjunction ("but," "however," "nevertheless") serves as a dramatic pivot. It signals a sharp, immediate, and tragic contrast to all the accolades preceding it. It builds suspense and reveals the fatal flaw or severe limitation despite all the greatness.
• he was a leper (מְצֹרָע הוּא, metsorah hu): "He was a leprous man." The devastating final clause. Leprosy (צָרַעַת, tsara'at) in the biblical context often refers to various severe, progressive skin diseases, some leading to disfigurement and death. More significantly, it rendered an individual ritually impure (Lev 13-14), necessitating social isolation. This condition negates all his external honor and power, leaving him a social outcast, underscoring the universal vulnerability of even the most privileged individuals to physical affliction.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Now Naaman... was a great man... and honourable... a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.": This phrase captures the profound paradox of human existence – worldly glory and achievement can coexist with severe personal suffering and ritual impurity. It highlights the fleeting nature of earthly status when confronted with affliction and vulnerability. It serves as an arresting introduction, creating immediate intrigue about Naaman's desperate need.
• "because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria": This clause is the theological cornerstone of the verse. It unmistakably attributes Syrian military success not to their national gods (like Hadad) or to Naaman's skill alone, but directly to YHVH. This asserts Yahweh's universal sovereignty, His power extending over nations beyond Israel, and subtly undercuts pagan belief systems. It foreshadows the display of God's power through healing, drawing a powerful Aramean official to acknowledge the God of Israel.

2 Kings 5 1 Bonus section

• The irony of "deliverance" from war for Syria, yet no "deliverance" from his personal disease for Naaman. The same LORD who granted military victory will offer a different, personal form of salvation through healing.
• Naaman's story serves as an early biblical example of God's redemptive work reaching out to Gentiles. Long before Christ's universal call, God demonstrates His concern for individuals outside the covenant people of Israel, foreshadowing the later inclusion of the nations in salvation.
• The emphasis on Naaman's great status initially builds him up as a man of formidable pride, a necessary setup for the humility he will eventually need to embrace in his healing process. His "but he was a leper" condition serves as a leveling force, showing that all humanity, regardless of status, shares vulnerability.

2 Kings 5 1 Commentary

2 Kings 5:1 masterfully sets the stage for Naaman's encounter with the true God, presenting a compelling portrait of paradox and divine sovereignty. Naaman, at the pinnacle of worldly achievement—a formidable military leader, honored by his king, and credited with national victories—is abruptly revealed to be suffering from the incurable and defiling disease of leprosy. This stark juxtaposition underscores the fragility of human glory and the universal reach of affliction, even to the most powerful.

Theologically, the verse's most profound declaration is that Naaman's military success, and thus Syria's "deliverance," was granted "by the LORD." This is a powerful polemic against the regional gods and a testament to Yahweh's absolute and unconstrained sovereignty, actively orchestrating events even among pagan nations. It asserts that there is no power, even among those who do not acknowledge Him, outside of His divine control. This initial attribution of victory to the God of Israel hints that Naaman's eventual physical healing will also come from this same supreme source, requiring a humble acknowledgment of Yahweh. The verse thus brilliantly frames the narrative as not just a personal story of healing, but a grand display of God's ultimate power, reaching beyond Israel to claim even the allegiance of its enemies.