2 Kings 5 13

2 Kings 5:13 kjv

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

2 Kings 5:13 nkjv

And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"

2 Kings 5:13 niv

Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!"

2 Kings 5:13 esv

But his servants came near and said to him, "My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"

2 Kings 5:13 nlt

But his officers tried to reason with him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, 'Go and wash and be cured!'"

2 Kings 5 verses

2 Kings 5 13 Meaning

2 Kings 5:13 describes the pivotal intervention of Naaman's servants, who courageously approached him as he raged against Elisha's simple instruction. Their words challenged Naaman's pride, arguing that if the prophet had asked for a difficult task, Naaman would readily comply. Therefore, they reasoned, he should even more readily obey a simple command like "Wash, and be clean." This verse highlights the crucial turning point where Naaman's obstinate pride yields to humble submission, enabling him to receive God's miraculous healing. It underscores the divine principle that God often works through simple, accessible means, contrasting human expectations of grandeur with the efficacy of faithful obedience.

2 Kings 5 13 Context

The events of 2 Kings 5 unfold with Naaman, a prestigious and powerful Syrian army commander, suffering from leprosy. A young Israelite slave girl in his household speaks of Elisha, the prophet of God, who could heal him. Naaman, with his king's backing, travels to Israel, expecting a grand, dramatic healing. Upon arrival at Elisha's humble dwelling, he receives a simple, relayed message to "go and wash in the Jordan seven times" to be clean. Naaman, deeply offended by this unceremonious instruction and the perceived inferiority of the Jordan River compared to Syrian rivers, turns away in a rage. This sets the scene for verse 13, where his loyal servants intervene, confronting his pride and persuading him to reconsider the prophet's seemingly trivial command. The cultural context emphasizes Naaman's expectation of a prestigious prophet performing a visible, elaborate ritual fitting for his high status, a common expectation in pagan healing rites involving magic or divine incantations. The Jordan River itself was considered muddy and inferior, adding to Naaman's disdain. This situation presents a polemic against the notion that divine power is tied to human grandeur, ritual complexity, or the perceived prestige of a location, asserting instead God's ability to work through humble and simple means.

2 Kings 5 13 Word analysis

• But his servants (וַיִּגְּשׁוּ עֲבָדָיו - vayyiggeshu ‘avadav): Naaman's staff show courage and loyalty by approaching a furious superior. The Hebrew 'avadav (servants) indicates subordinates or officials, emphasizing their status beneath Naaman, making their bold intervention remarkable and indicative of deep respect and concern for their master.
• came near (וַיִּגְּשׁוּ - vayyiggeshu): Signifies not just physical proximity, but a deliberate and brave approach, stepping into his anger to offer counsel. This act itself is a turning point, showing their deference while maintaining a voice.
• and spoke to him (וַיְדַבְּרוּ אֵלָיו - vayedaberu 'elav): They engaged him in a reasoned argument, rather than just complaining. This indicates thoughtful and persuasive dialogue.
• 'My father' (אָבִי - 'avi): A respectful and affectionate term used to address a superior, even if not literally their father. It conveys a humble plea and fosters an atmosphere of filial concern, effectively disarming Naaman's wrath and making him receptive. This diplomatic address underlines the wisdom of the servants.
• if the prophet had commanded you (אִם־דָּבָר גָּדוֹל דִּבֶּר אֵלֶיךָ הַנָּבִיא - 'im-davar gadol dibber 'eleka hannaviy') - This phrase acknowledges the perceived authority of "the prophet" (Elisha, hannaviy), an authority Naaman had initially dismissed. It cleverly redirects Naaman's focus back to Elisha's true role.
• to do some great thing (דָבָר גָּדוֹל - davar gadol): This refers to a momentous, impressive, or arduous task that Naaman's military mindset and social status would naturally expect as worthy of divine intervention. It exposes Naaman's human-centric view of divine power, where a large sacrifice or a grand performance is believed to yield greater results.
• would you not have done it? (הֲלוֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - hal'o ta'aseh): A rhetorical question designed to elicit an obvious "yes," trapping Naaman with his own ego and expected behavior as a mighty general. It forces him to recognize the irrationality of his current refusal.
• How much more then, when he has said to you, "Wash, and be clean"? (אַף כִּי אָמַר אֵלֶיךָ רְחַץ וּטְהָר - 'af ki 'amar 'eleka r'chatz utehar): This is an a fortiori argument (from lesser to greater). If one would obey a hard command, how much more a simple one? The phrase "How much more then" ('af ki) powerfully amplifies the irony of Naaman's refusal.
• "Wash" (רְחַץ - r'chatz): A simple, direct imperative, implying physical immersion for cleansing. It speaks to immediate, uncomplicated action.
• "and be clean" (וּטְהָר - utehar): The promised result, connected directly to the washing. "Clean" (tahar) implies not just physical purification from disease, but also restoration to ceremonial purity, health, and wholeness, a profound spiritual and physical restoration.

2 Kings 5 13 Words-group analysis

• "But his servants came near and spoke to him": This initial clause emphasizes the initiative and bravery of Naaman's subordinates. Their ability to calmly reason with an enraged superior is a testament to both their character and Naaman's underlying respect for them. It signifies the power of wise counsel to avert disaster and points to divine intervention using unexpected human agents.
• "'My father, if the prophet had commanded you to do some great thing, would you not have done it?'": This powerful rhetorical question masterfully addresses Naaman's injured pride and mistaken expectations. By starting with "My father," they soften his anger. The phrase "great thing" perfectly encapsulates Naaman's human logic: if a grand display or difficult task were involved, it would align with his perception of powerful acts. The rhetorical nature makes his stubbornness appear illogical even to himself.
• "How much more then, when he has said to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?": This phrase presents a classic a fortiori argument. It highlights the profound irony and foolishness of rejecting a simple, effortless path to healing, especially if a difficult path would have been accepted. It cleverly re-frames Elisha's instruction from an insult to a demonstration of ease and grace. The juxtaposition of "great thing" and "wash, and be clean" powerfully reveals God's preference for humble means over human spectacles, emphasizing that divine power lies not in human effort but in simple obedience to a divine word. It speaks to a divine grace that makes healing accessible without arduous work.

2 Kings 5 13 Bonus section

The scene in 2 Kings 5:13 provides a profound illustration of God's desire for simple faith and obedience rather than human-conceived spectacles or burdensome efforts. This principle resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments. Naaman's experience is cited in Luke 4:27 by Jesus himself, highlighting God's universal reach even to Gentiles, a powerful foreshadowing of the Gospel extending beyond Israel. The narrative showcases God's preference for humble channels and demonstrates that He is not confined by human expectations of how He "should" act. The wisdom displayed by the unnamed servants highlights that spiritual discernment and divine truth can come from unexpected sources, even from subordinates challenging a powerful leader. Their insight into the prophet's true intentions and the nature of God's ways proves more beneficial than Naaman's military acumen or pride. This pivotal moment underscores the timeless lesson that pride obstructs God's grace, while humility and simple trust open the door to His miraculous intervention.

2 Kings 5 13 Commentary

2 Kings 5:13 stands as the crucial pivot point in Naaman's healing narrative. His initial rage stemmed from pride, a human tendency to dictate the terms of God's blessing, preferring impressive ritual or arduous tasks over simple obedience. Naaman expected a spectacular show of divine power, mirroring common pagan practices or his own military campaigns. The servants' intervention is remarkable: not only for their courage in confronting their enraged general but also for their profound wisdom. They intuitively understand that God's ways are not man's ways, that divine efficacy doesn't hinge on human effort or grandiosity.

Their address "My father" is a key element, softening Naaman's anger and fostering a receptive spirit. Their a fortiori argument is masterful logic: if Naaman would undertake a great or difficult act, how much more should he obey a simple one, especially one leading to such a desired outcome? This challenges Naaman to see the irrationality of his pride. The simplicity of "Wash, and be clean" underlines God's unmerited grace. Healing here is not earned through effort, but received through a humble act of obedience that trusts God's method, no matter how insignificant it seems to human logic. This verse ultimately emphasizes that the path to God's blessing often lies in submission to humble commands rather than striving for the magnificent.

Examples:

1. A person resisting prayer because they feel it needs to be an elaborate ritual, rather than simple conversation with God.
2. An individual trying to earn salvation through good deeds instead of accepting the simple gift of grace through faith in Christ.
3. Someone scoffing at a simple act of charity or repentance, preferring to engage in grander, more visible acts to prove their sincerity.