2 Kings 5 25

2 Kings 5:25 kjv

But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

2 Kings 5:25 nkjv

Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, "Where did you go, Gehazi?" And he said, "Your servant did not go anywhere."

2 Kings 5:25 niv

When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" "Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered.

2 Kings 5:25 esv

He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" And he said, "Your servant went nowhere."

2 Kings 5:25 nlt

When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" "I haven't been anywhere," he replied.

2 Kings 5 verses

2 Kings 5 25 Meaning

2 Kings 5:25 depicts the return of Gehazi, servant of the prophet Elisha, after he had deceptively pursued Naaman to extract gifts. Upon his arrival, he stood before Elisha. Elisha, knowing by divine revelation where Gehazi had been and what he had done, directly questioned his whereabouts. In response, Gehazi brazenly lied, asserting that he had not gone anywhere. This verse marks the climactic moment of Gehazi's deceit being brought into the light before divine judgment.

2 Kings 5 25 Context

2 Kings chapter 5 details the miraculous healing of Naaman, a high-ranking Syrian general afflicted with leprosy. Elisha, through his servant Gehazi, instructs Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River, leading to his complete recovery. In gratitude, Naaman attempts to offer Elisha lavish gifts of silver, gold, and garments, which Elisha firmly refuses, demonstrating his integrity and underscoring that God's grace cannot be bought or sold. Despite Elisha's explicit refusal and strong example, Gehazi, driven by covetousness, secretly pursues Naaman. He fabricates a story that Elisha has sent him to request two talents of silver and two changes of clothing for "young men of the sons of the prophets" who had just arrived. Naaman, eager to express his gratitude, gives him even more (two talents and two changes of garments). Gehazi then conceals these ill-gotten gains in his house before returning to Elisha. Verse 25 immediately follows Gehazi's return to the prophet, setting the stage for Elisha's divine confrontation and the consequential judgment upon Gehazi for his greed, deception, and the desecration of the prophetic office.

2 Kings 5 25 Word analysis

• But he went in: Gehazi's actions are immediate upon his return. This phrase shows his quick re-entry into the normal routine, attempting to hide his misdeeds by seamless integration.
• and stood before his master: The Hebrew word wayya'amod (וַיַּעֲמֹד) means 'and he stood.' This is the expected posture of a servant awaiting instruction or presenting himself. It suggests an outward posture of obedience and submission, masking his inward rebellion and guilt.
• And Elisha said to him: Elisha's address is direct and authoritative. As a prophet of God, his words carry divine weight, not mere human inquiry.
• ‘From where have you come, Gehazi?’: The Hebrew 'ei miz-zeh ba'ata (אֵי מִזֶּה בָּאתָ) translates to "From where from this have you come?" or simply "From where have you come?". This is not a question born of ignorance, but of prophetic knowledge. Elisha already knows Gehazi's actions; his question is a test, giving Gehazi an opportunity to confess and repent, or to deepen his sin by lying. This mirrors divine interrogations (e.g., God asking Adam, "Where are you?").
• And he said, ‘Your servant: Gehazi refers to himself as "your servant" (avdekha - עַבְדְּךָ). This is a formal and seemingly humble self-designation, part of his deceptive act to maintain the appearance of innocence and loyalty to his master. It contrasts sharply with his true heart motive of covetousness.
• has not gone anywhere.’: The Hebrew phrase lo halakh avdekha 'an va'an (לֹא הָלַךְ עַבְדְּךָ אָן וָאָן) means "your servant has not gone hither and thither" or "not anywhere at all." This is a definitive and absolute denial. It is a bold, blatant lie spoken directly to a prophet who stood as God's representative, confirming Gehazi's spiritual blindness and hardened heart despite working in the presence of miraculous divine power.

2 Kings 5 25 Bonus section

Gehazi's brazen lie reflects a profound disconnect between outward appearance (servant of a prophet) and inward reality (a greedy, deceitful heart). This serves as a warning against spiritual hypocrisy within the context of religious service. The immediate and dire consequence that follows in the subsequent verses (leprosy) emphasizes the severe nature of misrepresenting God and His works for personal profit. It also highlights the "double-leprosy"—the physical leprosy mirroring his spiritual sickness of greed and dishonesty.

2 Kings 5 25 Commentary

2 Kings 5:25 is the stark moment of truth where Gehazi's secret greed and deceit are exposed. His return and feigned innocence underscore his spiritual blindness; he thought he could deceive a prophet who operated under divine omniscience. Elisha's pointed question, "From where have you come, Gehazi?", was not a search for information but an opportunity for Gehazi to confess and avoid a worse fate. His immediate, absolute lie, "Your servant has not gone anywhere," revealed a hardened heart and a lack of remorse. This act directly contrasted with Elisha's earlier, public refusal of gifts from Naaman, highlighting Gehazi's spiritual compromise for material gain. It signifies the corruption of sacred trust, the perilous nature of covetousness, and the inescapable judgment that follows sin exposed by God's perfect knowledge.