2 Kings 5:16 kjv
But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
2 Kings 5:16 nkjv
But he said, "As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing." And he urged him to take it, but he refused.
2 Kings 5:16 niv
The prophet answered, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.
2 Kings 5:16 esv
But he said, "As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none." And he urged him to take it, but he refused.
2 Kings 5:16 nlt
But Elisha replied, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts." And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.
2 Kings 5 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 14:22-24 | But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High... that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’" | Abram refuses worldly gain after victory, upholding God's honor. |
| Matt 10:8 | Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. | Jesus instructs His disciples to offer spiritual gifts without charge. |
| Acts 8:18-20 | Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money... Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!" | Simon Magus's attempt to buy divine power is sternly rebuked. |
| Acts 20:33-35 | I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel... By hard work, I have showed you that we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" | Paul exemplifies selfless ministry, working to avoid being a burden. |
| 1 Cor 9:18 | What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. | Paul forgoes his right to financial support for the sake of the Gospel. |
| 2 Cor 11:7-9 | Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. | Paul emphasizes his unpaid service in Corinth as a mark of genuine apostleship. |
| 1 Thes 2:9 | For you remember, brothers, our toil and labor: working night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. | Paul recounts his industriousness to provide the Gospel freely. |
| 1 Sam 12:3-5 | Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed... from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me, and I will restore it to you.” | Samuel appeals to his integrity, not having enriched himself through his prophetic office. |
| Luke 10:4 | Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals... | Jesus sends His disciples to minister with trust in God's provision and detachment from material gain. |
| Psa 49:7-8 | Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is too costly and can never be bought... | Humanity cannot buy redemption; God's salvation is priceless and free. |
| Rom 3:24 | ...and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus... | Salvation is a free gift from God's grace, not earned or purchased. |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. | Salvation by grace, not works, emphasizes its gratuity and God's sole credit. |
| Titus 1:7 | For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain... | Qualifications for church leaders include being free from covetousness. |
| 1 Pet 5:2 | ...shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly... | Leaders are to serve without seeking dishonest profit. |
| Isa 55:1 | Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. | God invites all to receive spiritual sustenance freely, regardless of wealth. |
| Heb 11:24-26 | By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin... | Moses forsakes Egyptian riches for the sake of God's call and people. |
| Jer 35:8 | We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, ourselves, our wives, our sons, or our daughters... | The Rechabites demonstrate disciplined commitment to ancestral vows, showing faithfulness without expectation of worldly reward. |
| Amos 8:4-6 | Hear this, you who trample the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, "When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? ...that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals?" | Condemnation of those who exploit the poor for financial gain, contrasting Elisha's selfless service. |
| Hab 2:9 | Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, setting his nest on high to be safe from the reach of harm! | Warns against acquiring wealth through unjust means, directly opposing Elisha's principled stance. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. | Encourages selflessness and putting others' needs before personal gain, embodying Elisha's spirit. |
2 Kings 5 verses
2 Kings 5 16 Meaning
This verse details Elisha the prophet's resolute refusal to accept any payment or reward from Naaman, the Syrian commander, for his miraculous healing from leprosy. Elisha’s declaration, made with a solemn oath invoking the living God, underscores that the healing was a direct act of divine grace, not a service rendered for profit. It highlights the freeness of God's power and the integrity required of His servants. Naaman's persistence and Elisha's unwavering refusal emphasize the core principle that God's gifts and works cannot be bought or sold.
2 Kings 5 16 Context
The overarching narrative in 2 Kings 5 revolves around Naaman, a high-ranking Syrian general suffering from leprosy. A young Israelite slave girl in Naaman's household testifies to a prophet in Samaria who can heal him. Naaman initially approaches the king of Israel, expecting a political solution, before finally being directed to Elisha. Elisha, displaying God's power over national boundaries and human disease, sends a simple instruction: "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times." Naaman, expecting a more dramatic display, is initially angered but eventually obeys, leading to his miraculous healing. Elisha’s refusal of the gifts immediately follows Naaman's healing and confession of faith in the God of Israel. This act solidifies the theological point that God's grace and power are freely given and not obtainable through material wealth, setting a crucial example for Naaman as a new believer and starkly contrasting with common ancient Near Eastern practices of offering extensive payment for divine intervention or priestly services.
2 Kings 5 16 Word analysis
- But he said: This refers to Elisha, providing his direct and immediate response to Naaman’s offer of gifts (as seen in 2 Kgs 5:15). It highlights his decisive action.
- 'As the Lord lives, (חַי־יְהוָה / Chai-YHWH)': This is a strong and binding oath in Hebrew tradition, similar to "by the life of the Lord." It affirms the absolute certainty and solemnity of Elisha's statement, invoking God's very existence as guarantee. It emphasizes that Elisha speaks under divine authority and truth. It also serves as a potent affirmation of the living God in contrast to pagan deities Naaman might have worshipped.
- before whom I stand, (אֲשֶׁר עָמַדְתִּי לְפָנָיו / asher amadti lephanav)': This phrase signifies Elisha's identity as a devoted servant and minister of the Lord. "Standing before God" denotes being in His service, in His presence, receiving His direct commission and remaining accountable only to Him. It portrays a posture of reverence, availability, and exclusive loyalty, meaning Elisha perceives his role not as a transactional one but as solely devoted to God’s will and honor.
- I will receive none.' (לֹא אֶקָּח / lo ekkach)': This is an emphatic negative. "Receive" here implies "take possession of" or "accept as a gift/payment." Elisha's firm rejection demonstrates his unwavering integrity and determination to prevent any misconception that God's miracle could be bought or that he, as God's instrument, was personally profiting. It aligns with the principle that spiritual gifts are not for sale.
- And he urged him: This indicates Naaman's strong insistence and persistence. In the cultural context, gifts were customary and expected for such significant favors. Naaman, deeply grateful, may have felt obligated or desired to express his profound gratitude through a tangible offering. This also suggests his ingrained understanding from a polytheistic context where offerings were standard practice for divine favor.
- to take it, Refers to the significant gifts Naaman brought, which were immense (gold, silver, fine clothing).
- but he refused.: This repetition underscores Elisha's resolute and unyielding stance. Despite Naaman's urging, Elisha's conviction rooted in his allegiance to God remained unshaken, firmly reinforcing his earlier declaration and emphasizing the freeness of divine healing.
2 Kings 5 16 Bonus section
Elisha's refusal also carries a significant polemic against the pervasive ancient Near Eastern religious customs where priests and cult functionaries were typically compensated for their services and for interventions from their gods. Naaman, accustomed to such a system (where healing might come from, for example, Assyrian or Aramean deities, often mediated by their paid priests), would naturally assume a similar transaction with Elisha. Elisha's resolute 'no' profoundly shatters this pagan worldview, demonstrating that the God of Israel operates on principles of unmerited grace, not on commercial exchange. This lesson was foundational for Naaman's budding faith in YHWH. Moreover, Elisha’s commitment to self-denial served to amplify the glory due to God. If Elisha had accepted payment, even for legitimate gratitude, it might have implied that he was the source of the healing, or that God was a mercenary deity, diminishing the perception of the sheer, unbought power and benevolence of the Lord.
2 Kings 5 16 Commentary
Elisha's powerful and unequivocal refusal of Naaman's generous gifts stands as a profound declaration of God's character and the nature of true prophetic ministry. His oath, "As the Lord lives, before whom I stand," elevates the refusal beyond personal preference, rooting it deeply in his divine commission and unwavering allegiance to God. This action served multiple critical purposes. For Naaman, a newly converted gentile, it disabused him of any notion that God's favor or healing could be bought, distinguishing the God of Israel from the transactional gods and their priests he was familiar with. It taught him that salvation and grace are freely given. For the wider Israelite community and any witnessing observers, Elisha’s selflessness highlighted the purity and non-commercial nature of God’s service, contrasting sharply with any potential for religious greed. Furthermore, it underscored the divine power that healed Naaman, making it clear that the miracle was solely God's doing, not Elisha's, and thus God alone deserved all glory, with no human profiting from His work. This act also serves as a stark moral backdrop against which the subsequent avarice of Elisha's servant, Gehazi, would tragically unfold, demonstrating the immense spiritual cost of compromising integrity for material gain.