2 Kings 5:20
New International Version
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

New Living Translation
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the LORD lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.”

English Standard Version
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

Berean Standard Bible
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

King James Bible
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

New King James Version
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

New American Standard Bible
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

NASB 1995
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

NASB 1977
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Gehazi, the young man of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

Amplified Bible
when Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “My master has spared this Naaman the Aramean (Syrian), by not accepting from him what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

Christian Standard Bible
Gehazi, the attendant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “My master has let this Aramean Naaman off lightly by not accepting from him what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Gehazi, the attendant of Elisha the man of God, thought: My master has let this Aramean Naaman off lightly by not accepting from him what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.

American Standard Version
But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: as Jehovah liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

Contemporary English Version
Gehazi said to himself, "Elisha let that Syrian off too easy. He should have taken Naaman's gift. I swear by the living LORD that I will talk to Naaman myself and get something from him."

English Revised Version
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha (the man of God), thought, "My master let this Aramean Naaman go without accepting what he had brought. As sure as the LORD lives, I'll run after Naaman and get something from him."

Good News Translation
when Elisha's servant Gehazi said to himself, "My master has let Naaman get away without paying a thing! He should have accepted what that Syrian offered him. By the living LORD I will run after him and get something from him."

International Standard Version
Gehazi, the attendant to Elisha, the man of God, told himself, "Look how my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman! He declined to take from him what he brought. As the LORD lives, I'm going to run after him and get something from him."

Majority Standard Bible
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

NET Bible
Gehazi, the prophet Elisha's servant, thought, "Look, my master did not accept what this Syrian Naaman offered him. As certainly as the LORD lives, I will run after him and accept something from him."

New Heart English Bible
But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "Look, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him, and take something from him."

Webster's Bible Translation
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat from him.

World English Bible
But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Gehazi, servant of Elisha the man of God, says, “Behold, my lord has spared this Aramean Naaman, not to receive from his hand that which he brought; for YHWH lives; if I have run after him, then I have taken something from him.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Gehazi, servant of Elisha the man of God, saith, 'Lo, my lord hath spared Naaman this Aramaean, not to receive from his hand that which he brought; Jehovah liveth; surely if I have run after him, then I have taken from him something.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Gehazi the boy of Elisha, the man of God, will say, Behold, my lord spared Naaman this Aramite from taking from his hand what he brought: Jehovah lives, for if I ran after him land book from him something.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Giezi the servant of the man of God said: My master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving of him that which he brought: as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take some thing of him:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, said: “My lord has spared Naaman, this Syrian, by not receiving from him what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.”

New American Bible
when Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, thought to himself: “My master was too easy on this Aramean Naaman, not accepting what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something out of him.”

New Revised Standard Version
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “My master has let that Aramean Naaman off too lightly by not accepting from him what he offered. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something out of him.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Gehazi the disciple of Elisha the prophet of God, said, Behold, my lord has spared Naaman the Aramean, in not accepting from him that which he brought; but, as the LORD lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Gekhazi the disciple of Elisha, the Prophet of God, said:“Behold, my Lord spared Naaman the Edomite and has not taken from him the thing that he brought. As LORD JEHOVAH is living, I shall run after him and I shall take something from him.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said: 'Behold, my master hath spared this Naaman the Aramean, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought; as the LORD liveth, I will surely run after him, and take somewhat of him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Giezi the servant of Elisaie said, Behold, my Lord has spared this Syrian Naiman, so as not to take of his hand what he has brought: as the Lord lives, I will surely run after him, and take somewhat of him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gehazi's Greed and Leprosy
19“Go in peace,” said Elisha. But after Naaman had traveled a short distance, 20Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?”…

Cross References
Acts 8:18-23
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. / “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” / But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! ...

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

1 John 2:15-16
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.

Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

Joshua 7:20-21
“It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: / When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

1 Kings 21:25-26
(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel. / He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols, just like the Amorites whom the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.)

Exodus 20:17
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

2 Peter 2:15
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.

Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”

Isaiah 56:11
Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:

Ezekiel 33:31
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.


Treasury of Scripture

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD lives, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

Gehazi

2 Kings 4:12,31,36
And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him…

Matthew 10:4
Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

John 6:70
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

my master

Proverbs 26:16
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

Luke 16:8
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

John 12:5,6
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? …

as the Lord liveth

2 Kings 6:31
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day.

Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

1 Samuel 14:39
For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

and take

Exodus 20:17
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Psalm 10:3
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

Jeremiah 22:17
But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

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Aramean Elisha Gehazi Hands Master Naaman Receiving Run Servant Somewhat Spared Surely Syrian Thought
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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














Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God
This phrase introduces Gehazi, who is identified as the servant of Elisha. The Hebrew root for "servant" is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which implies a position of service and subordination. Gehazi's role is significant as he serves a prophet, Elisha, who is a "man of God." This title, "man of God," is used throughout the Old Testament to denote someone who is a spokesperson for God, a person of divine authority and spiritual insight. Gehazi's position should have been one of humility and learning, yet his actions reveal a heart not aligned with the spiritual integrity of his master.

said, 'Look, my master has spared this Aramean Naaman
The word "spared" comes from the Hebrew "חָשַׂךְ" (chasak), meaning to withhold or refrain. Gehazi's statement reflects a sense of injustice or dissatisfaction with Elisha's decision to not accept gifts from Naaman, the Aramean. Historically, the Arameans were often enemies of Israel, and Naaman's healing from leprosy was a testament to God's power and grace extending beyond Israel. Gehazi's reference to Naaman as "this Aramean" may indicate a prejudiced view, seeing Naaman more as an enemy than a recipient of God's mercy.

while not accepting from him what he brought
The phrase "not accepting" highlights Elisha's refusal to take any gifts from Naaman, which is rooted in the Hebrew "לֹא לָקַח" (lo lakach). This refusal underscores the principle that God's miracles and grace cannot be bought or earned. Elisha's actions were meant to demonstrate that the power and favor of God are not commodities for trade. Gehazi's failure to understand this principle reveals a spiritual blindness and a materialistic mindset.

As surely as the LORD lives
This oath, "חַי־יְהוָה" (chai-YHWH), is a solemn declaration invoking the living God. It is often used in the Old Testament to affirm the truthfulness or seriousness of a statement. Gehazi's use of this phrase is ironic and tragic, as he invokes the name of the LORD to justify his deceitful intentions. It reflects a superficial religiosity, where the sacred name of God is used to cloak selfish motives.

I will run after him and get something from him
The determination in Gehazi's words, "I will run after him," indicates a deliberate and premeditated action. The Hebrew "אָרוּץ" (arutz) conveys urgency and eagerness. Gehazi's desire to "get something" reveals a heart motivated by greed and a misunderstanding of God's grace. This pursuit of material gain at the expense of spiritual integrity serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of covetousness and the importance of aligning one's heart with God's purposes.

(20) Said--i.e., thought.

This Syrian.--He justifies his purpose on the principle of "spoiling the Egyptians."

But, as the Lord liveth, I will run.--Rather, by the life of Jehovah, but I will run. (Comp. Note on 2Kings 4:30.)

Verse 20. - But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said (see 2 Kings 4:12-36 for the position held towards Elisha by Gehazi), Behold, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian. Gehazi either honestly thinks, or at least persuades himself, that a Syrian ought to be, not spared, but spoiled, as being a foreigner and an enemy. In not receiving at his hands that which he brought (see ver. 5). Gehazi may not have known how much it was, but he had seen the laden animals, and rightly concluded that the value was great. But, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. "As the Lord liveth" seems a strange phrase in the mouth of one who is bent on lying and on stealing. But experience teaches us that religious formulae do drop from the lips of persons engaged in equally indefensible proceedings. This is partly because formulae by frequent use become mere forms, to which the utterer attaches no meaning; partly because men blind themselves to the wrongfulness of their actions, and find some excuse or other for any course of conduct by which they hope to profit.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Gehazi,
גֵּיחֲזִ֗י (gê·ḥă·zî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1522: Gehazi -- perhaps 'valley of vision', servant of Elisha

the servant
נַעַר֮ (na·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

of Elisha
אֱלִישָׁ֣ע (’ĕ·lî·šā‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 477: Elisha -- 'God is salvation', a well-known Israelite prophet

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

of God,
הָאֱלֹהִים֒ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Look,
הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

my master
אֲדֹנִ֗י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

has spared
חָשַׂ֣ךְ (ḥā·śaḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2820: To restrain, refrain, to refuse, spare, preserve, to observe

this
הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

Aramean,
הָֽאֲרַמִּי֙ (hā·’ă·ram·mî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 761: Aramean -- an inhabitant of Aram (Syria)

Naaman,
נַעֲמָ֤ן (na·‘ă·mān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5283: Naaman -- a descendant of Benjamin, also an Aramean (Syrian) general

while not accepting
מִקַּ֥חַת (miq·qa·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3947: To take

what
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he brought.
הֵבִ֑יא (hê·ḇî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

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

lives,
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

I will run
רַ֣צְתִּי (raṣ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7323: To run

after him
אַחֲרָ֔יו (’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

and get
וְלָקַחְתִּ֥י (wə·lā·qaḥ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3947: To take

something
מְאֽוּמָה׃ (mə·’ū·māh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3972: A speck, point, nothing

from him.”
מֵאִתּ֖וֹ (mê·’it·tōw)
Preposition-m | Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case


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OT History: 2 Kings 5:20 But Gehazi the servant of Elisha (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 5:19
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