2 Kings 5 24

2 Kings 5:24 kjv

And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.

2 Kings 5:24 nkjv

When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed.

2 Kings 5:24 niv

When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.

2 Kings 5:24 esv

And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed.

2 Kings 5:24 nlt

But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house.

2 Kings 5 verses

2 Kings 5 24 Meaning

This verse precisely details Gehazi's successful execution of his deceptive plan. After acquiring the two talents of silver and two changes of garments from Naaman's servants, he brings them to a concealed or secure place near Elisha’s dwelling, specifically storing them in a house. Immediately after securing his ill-gotten gains, he dismisses Naaman’s men, completing his attempt to cover his tracks and ensure no human witness to his avarice remained, before returning to Elisha as if nothing had happened.

2 Kings 5 24 Context

Chapter 5 of 2 Kings narrates the miraculous healing of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, from leprosy by the word of the LORD through Elisha. Following his healing, a grateful Naaman offers Elisha lavish gifts as a token of gratitude, which Elisha adamantly refuses to accept, demonstrating the gratuitous nature of God's work and the prophet's selfless devotion. This refusal serves as a pivotal ethical and theological stance against profiting from divine service. However, Gehazi, Elisha's servant, witnesses this generosity and, driven by covetousness, secretly pursues Naaman to extort gifts for himself, fabricating a false story about two young prophetic students. Naaman, out of his overwhelming gratitude, generously gives Gehazi more than he asked for—two talents of silver and two changes of garments, even assigning two of his servants to help Gehazi carry the load. Verse 24 is the immediate follow-up to this deceitful acquisition, depicting Gehazi's clandestine return to Elisha’s vicinity, his hurried concealment of the stolen goods, and the swift dismissal of the witnesses, all intended to hide his sin from his master. Historically, this account would resonate in a culture where prophetic figures might be perceived as mercenary, serving as a powerful counter-narrative illustrating the integrity expected from Yahweh's true servants.

2 Kings 5 24 Word analysis

• When he came (וַיָּבֹא - way·yā·ḇō): Literally "and he came/arrived." This denotes the completion of Gehazi's pursuit and his arrival at Elisha's dwelling or its surrounding property. It indicates an active and purposeful movement on Gehazi's part.
• to the citadel (אֶל־הָעֹפֶל - ’el-hā·‘ō·p̄el): The Hebrew עֹפֶל ('ophel) typically means "mound," "citadel," or "fortified hill." In this context, it likely refers to a raised or secure, possibly semi-secluded, part of the property where Elisha lived, suitable for discreet activities like storing valuable goods. It implies a place chosen for its privacy or security, adding to the clandestine nature of Gehazi’s actions.
• he took them (וַיִּקַּח מִיָּדָם - way·yiq·qaḥ mî·yā·ḏām): וַיִּקַּח means "and he took" or "he received." מִיָּדָם means "from their hand" (referring to Naaman's servants). This emphasizes Gehazi's direct, personal, and definitive acquisition of the gifts. He physically relieved them of the burden, marking his full possession.
• and stored them (וַיִּפְקֵד - way·yip̄·qêḏ): The verb פָּקַד (paqad) here means "to deposit" or "to put away." It implies a deliberate and careful act of putting something into safekeeping or a specific place, not merely setting it down. Gehazi consciously hid the items, intending them for future use.
• in the house (בַּבָּיִת - bab·ba·yiṯ): "in the house," most likely referring to Elisha’s house or an outbuilding associated with it. This detail is significant as it highlights Gehazi bringing defiling gains into the very proximity, perhaps even the sanctity, of the prophet's dwelling, mocking the spiritual purity of the place.
• and he sent the men away (וַיְשַׁלַּח אֶת־הָאֲנָשִׁים - way·ša·llaḥ ’eṯ-hā·’ă·nā·šîm): "and he sent the men (away)." This action of dismissing Naaman's servants swiftly indicates Gehazi's urgency to eliminate witnesses and erase any trace of his encounter with them, aiming for perfect concealment from Elisha.
• and they departed (וַיֵּלֵכוּ - way·yê·lē·ḵū): "and they went/departed." A simple statement confirming the successful departure of Naaman’s servants. It marks the conclusion of Gehazi's outward deception, as far as he could control it, before presenting himself to Elisha.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "When he came to the citadel... and stored them in the house": This phrase details the geographical and spatial actions of Gehazi. The choice of "citadel" and then "the house" underscores his meticulous effort to find a private and secure location to hide the wealth, suggesting forethought and a desire for secrecy immediately upon receiving the goods.
• "he took them from their hand... and he sent the men away": This sequence illustrates Gehazi's cunning. He physically takes possession of the items himself, emphasizing his direct role in acquiring them. Immediately afterwards, he orchestrates the departure of Naaman's servants, meticulously severing any visible connection between himself, the gifts, and their previous carriers, thus trying to ensure his scheme remained undetected by his master.

2 Kings 5 24 Bonus section

• Gehazi’s actions of concealing the silver and garments echo Adam’s attempt to hide from God after sinning in the garden (Gen 3:8). Just as Adam could not truly hide, Gehazi's secret acts were fully known to the Lord.
• The swiftness of Gehazi's movements ("when he came... he took... stored... sent away... departed") implies a hurried and anxious attempt to finalize his illicit dealings, betraying an inner turmoil even as he feigned composure.
• The term "citadel" could also suggest a guarded place, heightening the irony of Gehazi breaking the trust inherent in his position by misusing a secure location for an ill-gotten gain.
• This verse provides the tangible evidence and culmination of Gehazi's greed, which will be the basis for his divine punishment of contracting Naaman's leprosy in the following verses (2 Ki 5:27).

2 Kings 5 24 Commentary

2 Kings 5:24 is the chilling culmination of Gehazi's act of deception, illustrating the immediate consequences of covetousness overpowering spiritual integrity. With calculating precision, he receives the silver and garments, depositing them in a secret location within or near Elisha's residence—an ironic profanation of a sacred space. His subsequent hasty dismissal of Naaman's servants reveals his intent to obliterate any evidence, ensuring no human witness to his avarice remained. This moment showcases Gehazi's confidence in his 'perfect' crime, believing he had outsmarted both man and God. Yet, unbeknownst to him, his carefully executed physical actions laid the groundwork for spiritual judgment, serving as a powerful reminder that sin hidden from human eyes remains fully exposed to the omniscient gaze of God. This narrative strongly contrasts with Elisha’s selfless refusal of payment, thereby highlighting the immense danger of seeking material gain in service to God.