2 Kings 5 4

2 Kings 5:4 kjv

And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.

2 Kings 5:4 nkjv

And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, "Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel."

2 Kings 5:4 niv

Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said.

2 Kings 5:4 esv

So Naaman went in and told his lord, "Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel."

2 Kings 5:4 nlt

So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said.

2 Kings 5 verses

2 Kings 5 4 Meaning

Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army, personally reported to his master, the King of Aram, the exact words spoken by the young Israelite girl who served his wife. This act signifies the seriousness of Naaman's condition, the king's concern, and the extraordinary attention given to an unexpected and humble source of hope.

2 Kings 5 4 Context

Chapter 5 of 2 Kings introduces Naaman, a powerful Aramean commander afflicted with leprosy. The immediate context of verse 4 stems from the unexpected suggestion of a young Israelite girl, taken captive during a raid. While serving Naaman's wife, she expressed conviction that a prophet in Israel, Elisha, could heal Naaman. This seemingly insignificant piece of advice, coming from a mere servant and a foreigner, captured Naaman's desperate attention. Historically, Aram (Syria) was a prominent neighbor, often in conflict with Israel, and its king wielded significant authority. For such a powerful figure like Naaman to relay the words of a captive girl directly to his sovereign underscores both the severity of his disease and a surprising openness in the Aramean court to pursue any possible solution, regardless of its unconventional origin. It subtly highlights God's sovereignty over pagan rulers and nations, and His ability to work through the humble to achieve His greater purposes, revealing His power even to those outside Israel.

2 Kings 5 4 Word analysis

• And Naaman (וַיָּבֹא נַעֲמָן, vayyavo Na'aman): The Hebrew verb vayyavo means "and he came" or "he entered." It signifies Naaman's direct access to the king, highlighting his esteemed position. Naaman (נַעֲמָן, Na'aman) ironically means "pleasantness" or "delightful," contrasting sharply with his leprous condition. His name underscores the severe disfigurement and social isolation caused by his illness, making his quest for healing urgent.
• went in and told (וַיָּבֹא וַיַּגֵּד, vayyavo vayyagged): This pairing emphasizes Naaman's action of not just approaching, but formally conveying the message. The verb vayyagged (from נָגַד, nagad) means "to declare" or "to make known," often implying a weighty report.
• his master (לַאדֹנָיו, la'adonayw): Refers directly to the King of Aram. This underscores the established hierarchy and Naaman's subordinate role despite his military power. He approaches the ultimate authority, suggesting the gravity with which he views the servant girl's words.
• saying (לֵאמֹר, lēʾmor): A common Hebrew particle indicating that what follows are the exact words or summary of the speech. It signals a direct report.
• “Thus and thus spoke (כֹּה וָכֹה דִּבְּרָה, koh vakhō dibberah): The idiomatic phrase koh vakhō ("thus and thus" or "such and such") indicates Naaman's precise, word-for-word repetition of the girl's message. It shows Naaman’s respect for the source and the potential validity of her strange advice. This precision conveys sincerity and the profound impact her words had on him. The verb dibberah (from דָּבַר, davar) means "she spoke," implying a deliberate and meaningful utterance.
• the young woman (הַנַּעֲרָה, hanna'arah): The article "the" indicates she is the same specific girl mentioned in 2 Kgs 5:2. The term na'arah highlights her youth and likely her vulnerable, subservient status, which starkly contrasts with Naaman's prestige and the king's authority. Her humble position makes her impactful advice even more remarkable.
• who was from the land of Israel (אֲשֶׁר מֵאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, asher me'eretz Yisrael): This phrase establishes her origin. It not only clarifies her identity as a foreigner and captive in Aram but also pinpoints the land where the God of healing (YHWH) and His prophet (Elisha) resided. It sets up the thematic contrast between the powerful but spiritually blind Aramean court and the subtle, divine power manifesting in Israel.

2 Kings 5 4 Bonus section

• This verse initiates the international dimension of God's redemptive work, showing YHWH's concern extending beyond Israel to bring a pagan dignitary to Himself.
• The girl's confident witness in a hostile environment serves as an example of courageous faith under challenging circumstances. She spoke of a prophet, not merely a man, highlighting her understanding of divine authority.
• The willingness of Naaman and the Aramean king to heed an obscure piece of advice underscores the profound fear and social isolation associated with leprosy in that era, driving them to consider any possible solution.

2 Kings 5 4 Commentary

This verse is pivotal, transitioning from the hope whispered by a captive servant to direct action in the royal court. Naaman's act of personally reporting the young girl's improbable suggestion to the Aramean king demonstrates profound desperation born of his leprosy, but also an extraordinary receptiveness. His high status ensured he had direct audience with the king, yet the unusual aspect is the source of the report: a slave girl from an enemy land. By using the idiom "thus and thus spoke," Naaman signals a precise and significant retelling, lending the girl's words surprising weight. This immediately draws the pagan king into the orbit of YHWH's power, showing God's sovereign hand at work even in foreign lands and through the humblest of His people, initiating the remarkable chain of events leading to Naaman's healing and a greater revelation of the God of Israel.