2 Kings 5 20

2 Kings 5:20 kjv

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

2 Kings 5:20 nkjv

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him."

2 Kings 5:20 niv

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him."

2 Kings 5:20 esv

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him."

2 Kings 5:20 nlt

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, "My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the LORD lives, I will chase after him and get something from him."

2 Kings 5 verses

2 Kings 5 20 Meaning

This verse reveals Gehazi’s covetous heart and his resolve to betray the integrity of his master, Elisha. Outraged that Elisha refused gifts from Naaman for his miraculous healing, Gehazi plots to deceitfully pursue Naaman and acquire material possessions for himself, invoking a sacred oath ("as the Lord lives") to underscore his determination. It marks a pivotal turning point where personal greed overtakes spiritual commitment, leading to dire consequences.

2 Kings 5 20 Context

The events of 2 Kings Chapter 5 detail the miraculous healing of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, from leprosy. This chapter highlights God's power extending even to gentiles and His prophets' integrity. Elisha, the man of God, demonstrates profound humility and selflessness by consistently refusing any reward or payment from Naaman after his healing. His rationale was that divine healing is a free gift from God and should not be monetized, thus upholding the honor and non-transactional nature of God's grace. Against this backdrop of spiritual integrity and disinterested service, verse 20 reveals Gehazi's covetousness and direct subversion of Elisha's exemplary conduct. Gehazi’s actions not only represent a personal failure but also a serious affront to the prophetic ministry he was a part of, as he sought to profit from God’s gracious act. This verse sets the stage for the swift divine judgment upon Gehazi for his deceit and greed, powerfully illustrating the severe consequences of misusing spiritual privilege for worldly gain.

2 Kings 5 20 Word Analysis

• Gehazi (גֵּיחֲזִי, Geichazi): Elisha's servant or assistant. His name might mean "valley of vision," which stands in ironic contrast to his spiritual blindness and focus on material gain. He had witnessed Elisha’s many miracles and interactions with God firsthand.
• the servant of Elisha the man of God: This title underscores Gehazi’s privileged position and proximity to divine revelation and power. It also emphasizes the gravity of his betrayal – not just betraying a master, but betraying "the man of God," someone consecrated to represent God.
• said, "Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, by not receiving from his hands what he brought;":
  • spared (חָשַׂךְ, chasakh): Means "withheld," "held back," or "restrained." Gehazi uses it critically, implying Elisha foolishly let a lucrative opportunity slip away. It reflects Gehazi’s transactional view of ministry versus Elisha's principled stance.
  • Naaman this Syrian (נַעֲמָן הָאֲרַמִּי הַזֶּה, Na'aman ha'Arammi hazzeh): The inclusion of "this Syrian" (an Aramean) highlights the national and cultural difference. It might imply a hint of contempt or pragmatism on Gehazi's part, feeling that taking from a non-Israelite was acceptable or even justified. Naaman was a commander of a rival nation.
  • not receiving from his hands what he brought: Emphasizes Elisha’s clear and public refusal of the substantial gifts, highlighting his moral and spiritual integrity, which Gehazi sought to undermine.
• but as the Lord lives (חַי יְהוָה, chai YHVH): A solemn oath, one of the strongest forms of vow-taking in ancient Israel. It means, "by the living God," swearing upon God’s very existence. Gehazi’s use of this sacred oath, immediately preceding a declaration of deceit and greed, is a profound act of sacrilege and demonstrates a perverse misuse of religious language for profane purposes. It underscores the deliberate nature and intensity of his covetous resolve.
• I will run after him (אֶרְדְּפֶנּוּ, erdeppennu): "I will pursue him." This active verb conveys Gehazi’s swift and determined intent. It indicates a calculated and independent decision to defy his master's will and spiritual standard.
• and take something from him (וְאֶקַּח מֵאִתּוֹ, v'ekkaḥ me'itto): This clearly states his intention to acquire material gain. The word "take" (לָקַח, lakakh) implies appropriation or seizing. "Something" (literally "from him," referring to a portion of the rejected gifts) clarifies his aim to acquire the very wealth Elisha refused.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said...": This highlights the profound irony and tragedy of Gehazi's position. As "the servant" of "the man of God," he was uniquely positioned to uphold spiritual truth and integrity, yet he chose deceit and greed, undermining the very reputation he should have protected.
  • "Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, by not receiving from his hands what he brought;": This reveals Gehazi's misinterpretation and disdain for Elisha's actions. He perceives Elisha’s refusal not as a principled spiritual act, but as a foolish financial oversight, highlighting his materialistic worldview.
  • "but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.": This clause combines a solemn divine oath with a purely materialistic and deceitful intent. It showcases Gehazi’s spiritual blindness and moral depravity, treating God's name lightly to serve his own covetous desires, transforming a divine blessing into an opportunity for personal profit.

2 Kings 5 20 Bonus Section

The incident involving Gehazi provides a crucial biblical principle concerning the non-commercial nature of divine grace and spiritual ministry. Elisha's refusal of payment highlights that God's power and blessings are not for sale and should not be leveraged for personal financial gain. Gehazi's sin stands as a strong biblical polemic against simony (the buying or selling of ecclesiastical pardons or offices), which reappears in later Christian history. His actions suggest a focus on what can be "gained" from spiritual interaction rather than a true appreciation of God's sovereign and unconditional healing power. This narrative reinforces that serving God demands selfless dedication, integrity, and a clear distinction between the spiritual economy of grace and the worldly pursuit of wealth.

2 Kings 5 20 Commentary

2 Kings 5:20 encapsulates Gehazi's tragic fall from a privileged position as the servant of a prophet to a perpetrator of deceit and avarice. His primary sin is covetousness—a greedy desire for wealth that Elisha explicitly rejected. He views the miraculous healing of Naaman not as an act of divine grace to be freely bestowed, but as a missed opportunity for financial gain. His statement, "my master has spared Naaman," drips with disdain for Elisha’s principled generosity, showcasing his fundamentally transactional understanding of spiritual matters.

The profanation of the divine name through his oath, "as the Lord lives," elevates his sin beyond mere covetousness to sacrilege. He invokes God's very existence as validation for a plan rooted in deceit and selfishness, directly violating commandments against taking the Lord's name in vain. This reveals a spiritual deadness where sacred expressions are used to legitimate profane intentions.

Gehazi's active pursuit ("I will run after him") demonstrates premeditation and deliberate rebellion against Elisha's clear example of integrity. He actively sought to exploit Naaman's gratitude, effectively misrepresenting Elisha and tarnishing the reputation of God's ministry for personal enrichment. This act of greed serves as a powerful cautionary tale against allowing personal ambition and the love of money to compromise one's spiritual walk and ministerial integrity. His actions ultimately bring severe consequences, as divine judgment for such spiritual corruption is swift and certain, manifesting as Naaman’s leprosy cleaving to Gehazi and his descendants.