2 Kings 5 14

2 Kings 5:14 kjv

Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

2 Kings 5:14 nkjv

So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

2 Kings 5:14 niv

So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

2 Kings 5:14 esv

So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

2 Kings 5:14 nlt

So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!

2 Kings 5 verses

2 Kings 5 14 Meaning

Second Kings 5:14 describes Naaman's act of obedience by immersing himself seven times in the Jordan River as instructed by the prophet Elisha. This immediate and complete obedience resulted in a miraculous healing: his leprous skin was supernaturally restored to the pure, unblemished condition of a young child, signifying a total cleansing, both physically and ceremonially.

2 Kings 5 14 Context

Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, a mighty man, was afflicted with leprosy. A young Israelite slave girl, taken captive from Israel, told Naaman's wife about a prophet in Samaria who could heal him. Naaman traveled to Israel with great wealth and a letter to the king, expecting an elaborate, official remedy. However, upon arrival at Elisha's house, the prophet sent his servant Gehazi with a simple instruction: "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean." Naaman was initially enraged, preferring the great rivers of Damascus and expecting a dramatic display of power. His servants humbly reasoned with him, urging him to obey the simple command, recognizing its minimal cost compared to the great benefit offered. Verse 14 is the culmination of this pivotal decision—Naaman overcoming his pride to act in obedience. This act served as a polemic against pagan beliefs which often relied on complex rituals or human merit, highlighting YHWH's sovereign power, dispensed simply, demanding only humility and trust.

2 Kings 5 14 Word analysis

• Then he went down (וַיֵּרֶד - vayēred): The verb yarad (ירד) means to descend or go down. Here, it denotes physical movement but strongly implies Naaman's crucial act of humbling himself. As a powerful, proud commander, going down to the commonplace and unimpressive Jordan, contrary to his initial expectations, was a profound demonstration of humility and subjugation to God's unexpected instruction.
• and dipped himself (וַיִּטְבֹּל - vayyiṭbol): The verb ṭābal (טָבַל) means to immerse, dip, or plunge. This word is consistently used in the Old Testament for ritual cleansing, like a priest dipping his finger in blood (Lev 4:6) or in the detailed cleansing rituals for lepers (Lev 14). It signifies a complete submersion, symbolizing thorough purification.
• seven times (שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים - sheva‘ pĕ‘āmîm): The number "seven" (sheba‘) in the Bible frequently signifies completeness, perfection, divine fullness, or covenant. It is God's perfect number. This was not an arbitrary number but part of God's divinely ordained instruction, emphasizing the miraculous nature and God's sovereign control over the healing process.
• in the Jordan (בַּיַּרְדֵּן - bayyarēn): The Jordan River was not known for its pristine beauty or medicinal qualities. It was a common, muddy river, geographically central to Israel. The instruction to dip in this specific river, rather than Naaman's preferred rivers of Damascus (Abana and Pharpar), was designed to remove any credit from the place or waters themselves and to emphasize that the healing power came solely from the Word of the Lord. It underscores God's ability to use the simplest, most unlikely means to accomplish His will.
• according to the word of the man of God (כִּדְבַר אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים - kidvar îsh hā’ělōhîm): This phrase explicitly connects Naaman's action directly to the prophet Elisha's command, which ultimately came from God. It highlights the principle of obedience to divine instruction as the pathway to blessing. It wasn't the act itself but the obedient response to the Word of God that was efficacious.
• and his flesh was restored (וַיָּשָׁב בְּשָׂרוֹ - vayyāshāv bĕsārō): The verb shûb (שׁוּב) means to return, restore, or bring back. This emphasizes that his healing was not merely a suppression of symptoms or a partial recovery, but a complete return to its original, healthy state. Leprosy was viewed as a living death; this restoration was a full reversal, a regeneration.
• like the flesh of a little child (כִּבְשַׂר נַעַר קָטֹן - kivsar na‘ar qāṭōn): This vivid simile denotes purity, newness, tenderness, and flawlessness. It highlights the completeness and supernatural perfection of the healing. Naaman's diseased, rough skin became like that of a pure, innocent infant, symbolizing spiritual renewal in addition to physical restoration.
• and he was clean (וַיִּטְהָר - vayyiṭhār): The verb ṭāher (טָהֵר) means to be clean, pure, or ceremonially purified. This signifies more than just physical health; it refers to ceremonial purity under Mosaic Law, a status unattainable by natural means for a leper. It declares Naaman no longer an outcast but ritually pure, signifying his complete acceptance by God's standard.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan": This entire phrase encapsulates Naaman's humbling obedience. He, the great Syrian commander, had to "go down" physically and metaphorically. The act of "dipping himself" fully signified surrender and reliance not on his own status or pagan rites but on the simple command given. The "seven times" highlights divine command and completeness, while "in the Jordan" emphasizes the ordinary means God used, stripping away human pride.
• "according to the word of the man of God": This crucial clause clarifies the source of the healing power. It was not the Jordan, not Naaman's effort, but the authority and power inherent in God's spoken word delivered through His prophet. This stresses the importance of heeding prophetic revelation.
• "and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child": This depicts the extraordinary nature of the miracle. It wasn't just healing but a perfect, complete regeneration to an unblemished, pure state. The image of a "little child" implies innocence and newness of life, signifying a profound spiritual change paralleling the physical.
• "and he was clean": This concluding phrase marks the definitive outcome. "Clean" (ṭāher) is the theological and ceremonial verdict, showing that Naaman was fully purified, not only physically but also ceremonially and symbolically from the defiling nature of his disease. This underscores the transformative power of God's intervention.

2 Kings 5 14 Bonus section

The story of Naaman serves as a foreshadowing of Gentile inclusion in God's salvific plan, as later highlighted by Jesus himself (Lk 4:27), where the prophet was sent to a non-Israelite. This event demonstrates that God's grace and healing extend beyond the covenant people when individuals demonstrate genuine humility and faith. It also starkly contrasts with false religious systems that often demand elaborate performances or offer false promises of power. Naaman's transformation showcases the radical simplicity of God's method—divine power through humble, obedient trust, resulting in a perfect, comprehensive restoration. The lack of payment from Naaman in subsequent verses further emphasizes that divine healing is a free gift of God's grace, not a transaction.

2 Kings 5 14 Commentary

2 Kings 5:14 is a profound narrative illustrating God's redemptive power working through humility and obedience. Naaman's journey from proud disbelief to submissive action highlights that divine healing and blessings are often found in simple acts of faith, contrary to human expectations of grandeur or complicated rituals. God did not require an elaborate display, expensive offerings, or Naaman's status. He only required the commander's obedient faith in His appointed messenger and the counter-intuitive instruction to dip in the mundane Jordan. The "seven times" underlines God's perfect plan and completeness, not a magic charm. The "restored like the flesh of a little child" points to total restoration and newness, paralleling spiritual regeneration where one is made pure and new in God's sight. The verse is a testament to the truth that God often works through what the world considers foolish or weak to humble the proud and display His supreme power.