2 Kings 5:1
New International Version
Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.

New Living Translation
The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.

English Standard Version
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

King James Bible
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

New King James Version
Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.

New American Standard Bible
Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in the view of his master, and eminent, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but afflicted with leprosy.

NASB 1995
Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper.

NASB 1977
Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but he was a leper.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and highly respected, because by him Yahweh had given salvation to Aram. The man was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

Amplified Bible
Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram (Syria), was considered a great man by his king, and was highly respected because through Naaman the LORD had given victory to Aram (Syria). He was also a man of courage, but he was a leper.

Christian Standard Bible
Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram, was a man important to his master and highly regarded because through him, the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was a valiant warrior, but he had a skin disease.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded because through him, the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was a brave warrior, but he had a skin disease.

American Standard Version
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Jehovah had given victory unto Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

Contemporary English Version
Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army. The LORD had helped him and his troops defeat their enemies, so the king of Syria respected Naaman very much. Naaman was a brave soldier, but he had leprosy.

English Revised Version
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given victory unto Syria: he was also a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Naaman, the commander of the Aramean king's army, was respected and highly honored by his master. The LORD had given Aram a victory through Naaman. This man was a good soldier, but he had a skin disease.

Good News Translation
Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, was highly respected and esteemed by the king of Syria, because through Naaman the LORD had given victory to the Syrian forces. He was a great soldier, but he suffered from a dreaded skin disease.

International Standard Version
Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in the opinion of his master. He was highly favored, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. Though he was a mighty and valiant man, he was suffering from leprosy.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master?s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

NET Bible
Now Naaman, the commander of the king of Syria's army, was esteemed and respected by his master, for through him the LORD had given Syria military victories. But this great warrior had a skin disease.

New Heart English Bible
Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance to Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.

World English Bible
Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Syria; he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Naaman, head of the host of the king of Aram, was a great man before his lord, and accepted of face, for YHWH had given salvation to Aram by him, and the man was mighty in valor, [but] leprous.

Young's Literal Translation
And Naaman, head of the host of the king of Aram, was a great man before his lord, and accepted of face, for by him had Jehovah given salvation to Aram, and the man was mighty in valour -- leprous.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Naaman chief of the army of the king of Aram was a man before his lord, and he was rifted up in the face, for by him Jehovah gave salvation to Aram: and the man was mighty of strength; being leprous.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Naaman, general of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable: for by him the Lord gave deliverance to Syria: and he was a valiant man and rich, but a leper.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Naaman, the leader of the military of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man with his lord. For through him the Lord gave salvation to Syria. And he was a strong and rich man, but a leper.

New American Bible
Naaman, the army commander of the king of Aram, was highly esteemed and respected by his master, for through him the LORD had brought victory to Aram. But valiant as he was, the man was a leper.

New Revised Standard Version
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW Naaman, general of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance to Aram; and Naaman was a valiant man, but he was a leper.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Naaman, Captain of the army of the King of Edom, was a great man before his Master, and praised among persons, because by him LORD JEHOVAH performed salvation for Edom, and the man Naaman, a mighty man of power, was a leper.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Aram, was a great man with his master, and held in esteem, because by him the LORD had given victory unto Aram; he was also a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Now Naiman, the captain of the host of Syria, was a great man before his master, and highly respected, because by him the Lord had given deliverance to Syria, and the man was mighty in strength, but a leper.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Naaman Cured of Leprosy
1Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife.…

Cross References
Luke 4:27
And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”

Matthew 8:2-3
Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Mark 1:40-42
Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” / And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed.

Luke 5:12-13
While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” / Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

Exodus 15:26
saying, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, then I will not bring on you any of the diseases I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”

Leviticus 13:1-3
Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, / “When someone has a swelling or rash or bright spot on his skin that may be an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. / The priest is to examine the infection on his skin, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin, it is a skin disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean.

Leviticus 14:1-32
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “This is the law for the one afflicted with a skin disease on the day of his cleansing, when he is brought to the priest. / The priest is to go outside the camp to examine him, and if the skin disease of the afflicted person has healed, ...

Numbers 12:10-15
As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous, / and said to Moses, “My lord, please do not hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. / Please do not let her be like a stillborn infant whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” ...

Deuteronomy 24:8-9
In cases of infectious skin diseases, be careful to diligently follow everything the Levitical priests instruct you. Be careful to do as I have commanded them. / Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam on the journey after you came out of Egypt.

2 Kings 7:3-10
Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die? / If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.” / So they arose at twilight and went to the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the outskirts of the camp, there was not a man to be found. ...

2 Chronicles 26:19-21
Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead. / When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw his leprous forehead, they rushed him out. Indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because the LORD had afflicted him. / So King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He lived in isolation, leprous and cut off from the house of the LORD, while his son Jotham had charge of the royal palace and governed the people of the land.

Job 2:7
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

Isaiah 53:4
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Luke 17:12-19
As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance / and raised their voices, shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” / When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance to Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.

A.

Luke 4:27
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

a great

2 Kings 4:8
And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

Exodus 11:3
And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.

Esther 9:4
For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.

with [heb] before

by him

Proverbs 21:31
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

Isaiah 10:5,6
O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation…

Jeremiah 27:5,6
I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me…

deliverance.

2 Kings 5:27
The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

2 Kings 7:3
And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

Leviticus 13:2,3,44-46
When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests: …

Jump to Previous
Aram Army Captain Deliverance Great Held High Highly Honorable Host Leper Master Mighty Naaman Na'aman Respected Syria Valiant Valor Valour Victory Warrior
Jump to Next
Aram Army Captain Deliverance Great Held High Highly Honorable Host Leper Master Mighty Naaman Na'aman Respected Syria Valiant Valor Valour Victory Warrior
2 Kings 5
1. Naaman, by the report of a captive maid, is sent to Samaria to be cured of leprosy
8. Elisha, sending him to Jordan cures him
15. He refusing Naaman's gifts grants him some of the earth
20. Gehazi, abusing his master's name unto Naaman, is smitten with leprosy














Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram
Naaman was a prominent military leader in Aram, known today as Syria. Aram was a significant power in the region, often in conflict with Israel. As commander, Naaman held a position of great authority and influence, reflecting the importance of military prowess in ancient Near Eastern societies. His role is comparable to other military leaders in the Bible, such as Joshua or Joab, who were instrumental in their nations' military successes.

was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded
Naaman's status as a "great man" indicates his favor with the king of Aram, likely due to his military successes. This phrase suggests a relationship of trust and respect between Naaman and the king, highlighting the importance of loyalty and competence in leadership roles. In the ancient world, military leaders often held significant political power, and Naaman's esteem would have extended beyond the battlefield.

for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram
This phrase acknowledges the sovereignty of God over all nations, not just Israel. It suggests that God can use anyone, even those outside His chosen people, to accomplish His purposes. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God uses foreign nations to discipline or deliver Israel (e.g., Cyrus in Isaiah 45:1). It also foreshadows the New Testament message of salvation being available to all nations.

And he was a mighty man of valor
The term "mighty man of valor" is used throughout the Old Testament to describe warriors of exceptional bravery and skill, such as Gideon (Judges 6:12) and David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23). This designation underscores Naaman's reputation as a formidable and respected warrior, emphasizing his strength and courage despite his affliction.

but he was a leper
Leprosy in the Bible often symbolizes sin and impurity, as it rendered individuals ceremonially unclean and isolated them from society (Leviticus 13-14). Naaman's leprosy presents a stark contrast to his military achievements and social standing, highlighting the limitations of human power and the universal need for divine intervention. This condition sets the stage for his encounter with the prophet Elisha, which ultimately points to themes of humility, faith, and God's power to heal and restore. Naaman's healing can be seen as a type of Christ's redemptive work, offering cleansing and restoration to all who come to Him in faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Naaman
A commander of the army of Aram, highly esteemed by his king and known for his valor. Despite his accomplishments, he suffered from leprosy, a condition that would have been both physically debilitating and socially isolating.

2. The King of Aram
Naaman's master, who held him in high regard due to the victories Naaman had achieved for Aram. The king's respect for Naaman highlights the latter's importance and influence.

3. Aram
A region often in conflict with Israel, located in modern-day Syria. The mention of Aram sets the stage for the cross-cultural interactions that follow in the account.

4. The LORD
The passage acknowledges that the victories of Aram were ultimately given by the LORD, indicating God's sovereignty over all nations and events, even those involving Israel's adversaries.

5. Leprosy
A serious skin disease that rendered Naaman ritually unclean and socially marginalized, despite his high status. This condition sets the stage for the miraculous healing that follows in the chapter.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and uses even those outside of Israel to accomplish His purposes. This reminds us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when it involves unexpected people or places.

The Paradox of Power and Weakness
Naaman's account illustrates that human strength and achievements are insufficient without God's intervention. Despite his power, Naaman was helpless against leprosy, teaching us to rely on God in our weaknesses.

Faith and Obedience Lead to Healing
Naaman's eventual healing required humility and obedience to God's instructions through the prophet Elisha. This teaches us the importance of faith and obedience in experiencing God's work in our lives.

God's Grace Extends Beyond Boundaries
The account of Naaman shows that God's grace is available to all, regardless of nationality or status. We are reminded to share God's love and message with everyone, without prejudice.V.

ELISHA HEALS NAAMAN THE SYRIAN'S LEPROSY, AND PUNISHES GEHAZI THEREWITH.

(1) Now.--The construction implies a break between this narrative and the preceding. Whether the events related belong to the time of Jehoram or of the dynasty of Jehu is not clear. Evidently it was a time of peace between Israel and Syria.

Naaman (beauty).--A title of the sun-god. (See Note on Isaiah 17:10.)

A great man with his master.--Literally, before his lord. (Comp. Genesis 10:9.)

Honourable.--In special favour. Literally, lifted up of face. (Comp. 2Kings 3:14, Note; Isaiah 3:3.) . . .

Verse 1. - Now Naaman, captain of the host of the King of Syria. The name "Naaman" is here found for the first time. It is thought to be derived from that of an Aramaean god (Ewald), and appears in the later Arabic under the form of Noman, in which shape it is familiar to the students of Arabian history. Benhadad, who had been wont in his youth and middle age to lead his armies into the field in person (1 Kings 20:1-20; 1 Kings 22:31; 'Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 2. p. 103), seems now in his old age to have found it necessary to entrust the command to a general, and to have made Naaman captain of his host. Compare the similar practice (ibid., p. 101) of the Assyrian monarchs. Was a great man with his master, and honorable - rather, honored, or held in esteem (τεθαυμασμένος, LXX.) - because by him the Lord had given deliverance - literally, salvation, or safety (σωτηρίαν, LXX.) - unto Syria. Probably he had commanded the Syrian army in some of its encounters with the Assyrians, who at this time, under Shalmaneser II., were threatening the independence of Syria, but did not succeed in subjecting it. He was also a mighty man in valor - gibbor hail, commonly translated in our version by "mighty man of valor," does not mean much more than "a good soldier" - but he was a leper. Leprosy had many degrees. Some of the lighter kinds did not incapacitate a man for military service, or unfit him for the discharge of court duties (ver. 18). But there was always a danger that the lighter forms might develop into the severer ones.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Naaman,
וְ֠נַעֲמָן (wə·na·‘ă·mān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5283: Naaman -- a descendant of Benjamin, also an Aramean (Syrian) general

the commander
שַׂר־ (śar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of the army
צְבָ֨א (ṣə·ḇā)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

of the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Aram,
אֲרָ֜ם (’ă·rām)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

was
הָיָ֣ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a great
גָּד֨וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

man
אִישׁ֩ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

in his master’s
אֲדֹנָיו֙ (’ă·ḏō·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

sight
לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

and highly regarded;
וּנְשֻׂ֣א (ū·nə·śu)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

through him
ב֛וֹ (ḇōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had given
נָֽתַן־ (nā·ṯan-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

victory
תְּשׁוּעָ֖ה (tə·šū·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8668: Deliverance, salvation

to Aram.
לַאֲרָ֑ם (la·’ă·rām)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 758: Aram -- Syria

And he was
הָיָ֛ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a mighty warrior,
גִּבּ֥וֹר (gib·bō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

[but he was] a leper.
מְצֹרָֽע׃ (mə·ṣō·rā‘)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6879: To be struck with leprosy, to be leprous


Links
2 Kings 5:1 NIV
2 Kings 5:1 NLT
2 Kings 5:1 ESV
2 Kings 5:1 NASB
2 Kings 5:1 KJV

2 Kings 5:1 BibleApps.com
2 Kings 5:1 Biblia Paralela
2 Kings 5:1 Chinese Bible
2 Kings 5:1 French Bible
2 Kings 5:1 Catholic Bible

OT History: 2 Kings 5:1 Now Naaman captain of the army (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 4:44
Top of Page
Top of Page