2 Kings 5 3

2 Kings 5:3 kjv

And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

2 Kings 5:3 nkjv

Then she said to her mistress, "If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy."

2 Kings 5:3 niv

She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

2 Kings 5:3 esv

She said to her mistress, "Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

2 Kings 5:3 nlt

One day the girl said to her mistress, "I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy."

2 Kings 5 verses

2 Kings 5 3 Meaning

This verse captures the compassionate and faithful declaration of a young Israelite girl, who, despite being a captive servant to Naaman’s household, advises her mistress that Naaman, her esteemed but leprous master, could find healing through the prophet of Yahweh located in Samaria. It highlights an act of remarkable empathy and profound faith, establishing the potential for divine intervention outside the conventional boundaries of nation and social status.

2 Kings 5 3 Context

This verse occurs at the beginning of the narrative concerning Naaman, the formidable commander of the Syrian army. Naaman, despite his immense power and standing, suffered from leprosy, a devastating and often incurable skin disease in the ancient world that brought with it social stigma and ritual impurity. The verse immediately follows the introduction of the young Israelite girl who had been taken captive during an Aramean raid and served in Naaman's household. Her suggestion, therefore, is rooted in her firsthand knowledge of Yahweh's prophet, Elisha, and her compassionate observation of Naaman's plight. The broader context of Elisha's ministry reveals Yahweh's continuous active presence in Israel, often demonstrating power over nature, sickness, and even death, affirming His supremacy over foreign deities. The location "in Samaria" is significant, as it was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which often fell into idolatry, yet God's prophet still resided there, illustrating God's presence even amidst spiritual straying.

2 Kings 5 3 Word analysis

• "She said" (וַתֹּאמֶר - vat·to·mer): A standard Hebrew narrative connective for introducing speech. It underscores the active role of the girl in initiating the dialogue.
• "to her mistress" (אֲדֹנָתָהּ - ’ă·ḏō·nā·ṯāh): Designates the specific recipient and highlights the hierarchical relationship—a captive servant addressing her owner.
• "Would that" (אַחֲלַי - ’a·ḥă·lay): An emphatic interjection expressing a strong wish or longing. It conveys the girl's earnestness and sincere desire for Naaman's healing. This rare word intensifies her plea.
• "my lord" (אֲדֹנִי - ’ă·ḏō·nî): Refers to Naaman, her master. Despite her captivity, she still acknowledges his authority and status in her address.
• "were with" (לִפְנֵי - lip̄·nê): Literally "before the face of." It suggests seeking an audience or presence, implying that contact with the prophet would be instrumental.
• "the prophet" (הַנָּבִיא - han·nā·ḇî’): The definite article "the" indicates a well-known, established prophet, undeniably referring to Elisha. This suggests his fame, or at least his spiritual power, was recognized even among enemies.
• "who is in Samaria" (אֲשֶׁר בְּשֹׁמְרוֹן - ’ă·šer biš·šōm·rō·wn): Pinpoints the prophet's location to the capital city of Israel. This precise geographical detail gives credence to her claim.
• "For then" (אָז - ’āz): A consequential particle, meaning "then" or "at that time." It connects the action of being with the prophet to the inevitable outcome.
• "he would cure him" (יֶאֱסֹף - ye·’e·sōp̄): From the root אָסַף (asaf), meaning "to gather, remove, take away." Here, it means to remove or gather away the disease, implying complete eradication rather than mere symptom relief. It denotes a powerful, definitive, supernatural removal.
• "of his leprosy" (מִצָּרַעְתּוֹ - mitz·tzā·ra·‘et·tōw): From tzara‘at, referring to various severe skin diseases, which the Bible describes as requiring strict quarantine and only priests for pronouncement of cleansing (not actual healing). The mention of "leprosy" underscores the perceived incurability and grave nature of Naaman's condition.

• "She said to her mistress": This phrase emphasizes the audacity and courage of the captive girl speaking up to someone in a position of authority over her, especially with such a significant and unlikely suggestion. It reflects a remarkable absence of bitterness or self-pity despite her enslaved state.
• "Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria!": This exclamation is a fervent expression of hope and conviction. It points directly to the source of power—the prophet of Yahweh—and asserts his specific location. This suggests an intimate knowledge and confidence in her God and His appointed messenger, demonstrating remarkable faith.
• "For then he would cure him of his leprosy": This is a definitive statement of faith and absolute assurance in the prophet's (and by extension, God's) ability to heal even an otherwise incurable disease like tzara‘at. It establishes the profound efficacy of Yahweh's power in contrast to human remedies or other gods.

2 Kings 5 3 Bonus section

The girl's anonymity emphasizes that God often uses the humble and unnoticed to accomplish His grand purposes, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him, not to the instrument. Her wisdom and confidence, particularly striking given her youth and captive status, reflect a deep spiritual understanding instilled by her Israelite upbringing concerning the true God's capabilities. Her intervention prevented Naaman from seeking only human means of healing (like the King of Israel) and directly pointed him towards God's designated prophet. This narrative acts as a crucial setup, highlighting how God’s providential hand orchestrates events through the simplest of means to achieve divine ends.

2 Kings 5 3 Commentary

This concise verse unveils layers of theological and human significance. It is a powerful testament to the influence of genuine faith and compassion, even in the most unlikely circumstances. The young, anonymous Israelite girl, a mere captive in a foreign land, becomes the catalyst for a grand miracle and a demonstration of Yahweh’s power to the Gentile world. Her statement, born of deep empathy for her captor and unwavering belief in her God's prophet, shows faith beyond personal circumstances. It implicitly contrasts the efficacy of the Israelite God, Yahweh, with the ineffectiveness of Aramean deities or physicians regarding an incurable disease like tzara‘at. This highlights God's initiative in reaching out to those outside Israel and working through humble, unexpected instruments.Practical application:

• Even in challenging or uncomfortable situations, a simple, compassionate word from a believer can plant seeds of divine truth.
• Genuine faith empowers individuals, regardless of their social standing or perceived insignificance, to make a profound difference.
• God's concern extends beyond narrow religious or ethnic boundaries, reaching out to those who seem furthest from Him.