2 Kings 5 19

2 Kings 5:19 kjv

And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

2 Kings 5:19 nkjv

Then he said to him, "Go in peace." So he departed from him a short distance.

2 Kings 5:19 niv

"Go in peace," Elisha said. After Naaman had traveled some distance,

2 Kings 5:19 esv

He said to him, "Go in peace." But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance,

2 Kings 5:19 nlt

"Go in peace," Elisha said. So Naaman started home again.

2 Kings 5 verses

2 Kings 5 19 Meaning

2 Kings 5:19 recounts Elisha's final words to Naaman, "Go in peace," as Naaman departed a short distance. This brief verse marks a pivotal transition: Naaman's physical and spiritual healing is complete, and he begins his journey back to Aram as a declared worshipper of the God of Israel, carrying the "two mule loads of earth" as a symbol of his newfound allegiance. Elisha's parting blessing of "peace" (Hebrew: shalom) is interpreted as an affirmation of Naaman's newfound faith, an acknowledgement of God's work in his life, and a gracious dismissal despite the unresolved issue of Naaman's potential future need to bow in the house of Rimmon. It implies trust in God's continuing work in Naaman's life and His grace toward a new convert from a pagan culture.

2 Kings 5 19 Context

This verse occurs at the conclusion of the dramatic account of Naaman the Aramean's healing. Immediately prior, Naaman, a mighty military commander, had been healed of leprosy after dipping seven times in the Jordan at Elisha's command, demonstrating humble obedience. This miraculous healing led Naaman to publicly confess faith in the one true God of Israel, declaring "Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel." He offered gifts which Elisha adamantly refused, affirming God's power is not for sale. Naaman then requested two mule loads of earth from Israel, signifying his intention to worship the LORD on holy ground in Aram. Crucially, Naaman also expressed a personal dilemma: needing to accompany his king to the temple of Rimmon, where he would have to bow when his king leaned on his arm. Naaman sought pardon from the LORD for this future act. Elisha's "Go in peace" is his concluding response to this entire complex exchange, dismissing Naaman without either explicit permission for nor condemnation of his difficult situation concerning Rimmon worship, entrusting him to God's grace and direction as a new convert. The historical context involves Israel's struggles with idolatry and the surrounding pagan nations, making Naaman's conversion a powerful testimony to the LORD's universal power.

2 Kings 5 19 Word analysis

• And he said unto him, Go in peace.

  • He said unto him: Refers to Elisha addressing Naaman. This highlights Elisha's spiritual authority and role as a prophet speaking God's word, though here it's a blessing and a dismissal rather than a direct command from God.
  • Go in peace: Hebrew: לֵךְ בְּשָׁלוֹם (lekh b'shalom).
    • Go (לֵךְ - lekh): An imperative, a command to depart. It signifies an end to their immediate interaction and Naaman's journey back to Aram.
    • in peace (בְּשָׁלוֹם - b'shalom): This is the heart of the phrase. Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is a rich Hebrew word meaning much more than absence of conflict. It encompasses completeness, wholeness, well-being, health, prosperity, security, tranquility, and harmonious relationship, especially with God. Here, it signifies a comprehensive blessing from Elisha:
      • God's blessing on Naaman's healing: Confirming the physical completeness.
      • God's blessing on Naaman's journey: Wishing him safety and security in his return.
      • God's blessing on Naaman's spiritual state: Affirming the genuineness of his new faith and placing him under God's comprehensive well-being, implicitly trusting God to guide him regarding the Rimmon dilemma. It's a statement of God's peace (spiritual wholeness and rest) granted to the repentant. Elisha neither explicitly approves nor condemns Naaman's dilemma concerning Rimmon. Instead, he places Naaman's difficult situation into God's hands.

• So he departed from him a little way.

  • So he departed from him: Indicates Naaman's immediate obedience to Elisha's word, beginning his return journey. This quick departure underscores the finality of their encounter.
  • a little way: Hebrew: כִּבְרַת אָרֶץ (kivrath erets). Literally "a length of land" or "a land measure," often understood as a short, unspecific distance, perhaps a quarter mile or less. This brief distance may allow Naaman space for reflection, or for Gehazi to pursue him (as seen in subsequent verses). It emphasizes Naaman’s full submission to Elisha and departure.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Go in peace... so he departed...": This juxtaposes Elisha's blessing with Naaman's immediate action. It illustrates Naaman's continued trust and obedience after his healing, showing the practical fruit of his transformation. It sets the stage for Naaman's independent journey of faith, under God's direction, without the immediate direct counsel of the prophet.
  • "Go in peace" and the "Rimmon" dilemma: This is the most debated aspect. Elisha's general blessing of peace implies that he did not see it as his place to dictate Naaman's exact steps regarding the future and Rimmon worship. Instead, he extended grace and trusted God to illuminate Naaman's path as a new convert navigating deeply entrenched cultural practices. It suggests that a new convert's journey may involve a gradual process of understanding and disentanglement, and God’s grace covers this. It's not a blanket approval of idolatry, but a recognition of a journey and a blessing of God's sustaining grace on a true conversion.

2 Kings 5 19 Bonus section

• Absence of Elisha's direct answer to the Rimmon question: Elisha's decision to not explicitly forbid Naaman from bowing in the house of Rimmon is interpreted by many scholars as an act of profound wisdom and faith. It might indicate that Elisha understood Naaman's specific cultural predicament and placed the resolution of this deeply personal, conscience-driven conflict directly into God's hands, trusting the Spirit to guide Naaman, rather than imposing an impossible immediate standard on a new convert from a hostile kingdom. This contrasts with prophetic norms that often called for immediate and unequivocal rejection of idolatry, highlighting a unique aspect of grace extended to an honest seeking heart.
• Implications for missionary practice: This passage has been studied in missionary contexts, exploring the complexities of bringing the gospel to different cultures, where converts may face unique societal pressures or remnants of previous practices. It subtly supports a nuanced approach to discipleship, allowing for growth and understanding, particularly for individuals coming out of deeply ingrained pagan systems, rather than an immediate 'all or nothing' confrontation, though ultimate devotion to the Lord remains paramount.
• The contrast with Gehazi (implicit in proximity): The seemingly innocuous "little way" (כִּבְרַת אָרֶץ) Naaman traveled is precisely the distance Gehazi, Elisha's servant, exploited to clandestinely pursue Naaman, violating Elisha's integrity and God's holiness for personal gain. This stark contrast highlights the profound difference between Naaman’s humble and transformative encounter with God and Gehazi’s spiritual blindness and covetousness, emphasizing the importance of spiritual integrity for God's servants.

2 Kings 5 19 Commentary

2 Kings 5:19 is deceptively simple yet profoundly significant. Elisha’s "Go in peace" to Naaman functions as more than a polite farewell; it is a rich benediction signifying divine completeness and spiritual well-being. Following Naaman’s dramatic healing, his fervent confession of faith in the one true God, and his expressed conundrum about bowing to Rimmon, Elisha does not offer explicit instruction on the latter. Instead, his parting words bestow a comprehensive blessing of shalom. This gesture highlights divine grace for new converts and underscores the progressive nature of faith. Elisha is entrusting Naaman to God’s continued guidance and the internal working of the Spirit, rather than imposing immediate rigid rules which a new convert from an idolatrous culture might find impossible to follow without alienating his king and society. It underscores that Naaman's new faith, however imperfect in its nascent stages regarding practice, was genuine in heart, and God's peace would accompany him. This does not endorse compromise with idolatry, but rather reveals Elisha's profound wisdom in letting God direct a new heart, rather than demanding immediate, complete adherence that might alienate the sincere seeker. Naaman’s quick departure reflects his immediate obedience and earnestness to live out his newfound faith.