Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, "Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean." Then Elisha sent him a messengerElisha, the prophet, chooses not to meet Naaman directly, which emphasizes the humility required for healing and the power of God's word over personal presence. This act can be seen as a test of Naaman's faith and obedience. In biblical times, prophets often used intermediaries to convey messages, highlighting the authority of God's word regardless of the messenger. This also prefigures the New Testament concept of faith in the unseen Christ ( John 20:29). who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan
The Jordan River holds significant biblical importance, being the site where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:14-17) and where Jesus was later baptized (Matthew 3:13-17). The number seven symbolizes completeness and divine perfection in Scripture, seen in the creation week (Genesis 2:2-3) and the seven churches in Revelation (Revelation 1:4). Naaman's washing in the Jordan signifies a complete cleansing and a step of faith, paralleling the spiritual cleansing through baptism in the New Testament. and your flesh will be restored
The promise of restoration is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with God's covenant faithfulness and mercy. Naaman's leprosy, a disease that rendered individuals ceremonially unclean, symbolizes sin and separation from God. The restoration of his flesh prefigures the spiritual restoration available through Christ, who heals and reconciles humanity to God (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). and you will be clean.”
Cleansing in the biblical context often refers to both physical and spiritual purification. Levitical laws required cleansing rituals for those healed of leprosy (Leviticus 14), pointing to the need for holiness before God. Naaman's cleansing foreshadows the ultimate cleansing from sin through Jesus' sacrifice (1 John 1:7). This act also demonstrates God's grace extending beyond Israel to the Gentiles, a theme further developed in the New Testament (Acts 10:34-35). Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, known for performing miracles and being a spokesperson for God. 2. NaamanA commander of the army of the king of Aram, who suffered from leprosy and sought healing from the God of Israel. 3. Jordan RiverA significant river in the biblical account, often associated with cleansing and new beginnings. 4. MessengerAn unnamed servant of Elisha who delivers the prophet's instructions to Naaman. 5. LeprosyA chronic skin disease, symbolizing impurity and separation in biblical times. Teaching Points Obedience to God's InstructionsNaaman's healing required simple obedience to God's command through Elisha. This teaches us the importance of following God's instructions, even when they seem mundane or illogical. Faith and HumilityNaaman had to humble himself to follow the prophet's seemingly simple directive. Our faith often requires humility, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than ours. God's Power to CleanseThe Jordan River symbolizes God's power to cleanse and restore. Just as Naaman was cleansed of leprosy, God offers spiritual cleansing through faith in Christ. The Role of IntermediariesElisha's use of a messenger shows that God often works through intermediaries. We should be open to receiving God's word and guidance through others. The Universality of God's GraceNaaman, a foreigner, received healing, illustrating that God's grace extends beyond Israel to all who seek Him in faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Naaman's initial reaction to Elisha's instructions reflect our own struggles with pride and obedience? 2. In what ways does the Jordan River serve as a symbol of spiritual cleansing in both the Old and New Testaments? 3. How can we apply the principle of seeking God's guidance through intermediaries in our daily lives? 4. What does Naaman's healing teach us about the nature of God's grace and its availability to all people? 5. How can we cultivate a heart of humility and faith to receive God's instructions, even when they challenge our understanding? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 14Discusses the ceremonial cleansing of lepers, highlighting the importance of ritual purity in the Old Testament. John 9Jesus heals a man born blind, instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, paralleling the theme of obedience leading to healing. Matthew 8Jesus heals a leper, demonstrating His authority over disease and fulfilling the law's requirements for cleansing. James 5Encourages believers to seek prayer and anointing for healing, emphasizing faith and obedience in the healing process. People Aram, Elisha, Gehazi, Naaman, SyriansPlaces Abana River, Damascus, Jordan River, Pharpar, Samaria, SyriaTopics Clean, Cleansed, Elisha, Eli'sha, Flesh, Hast, Jordan, Messenger, Restored, Saying, Servant, Seven, Turn, Wash, Washed, Washing, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 5:10 1653 numbers, 6-10
5136 body
5405 medicine
5408 messenger
7478 washing 2 Kings 5:1-14 1416 miracles, nature of
5298 doctors
8131 guidance, results 2 Kings 5:8-14 4260 rivers and streams 2 Kings 5:9-14 7342 cleanliness 2 Kings 5:10-14 1418 miracles, responses
5333 healing Library Naaman's Wrath
'And Elisha sent a messenger unto Naaman, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11. But Naaman was wroth, and went away.'--2 KINGS v. 10,11. These two figures are significant of much beyond themselves. Elisha the prophet is the bearer of a divine cure. Naaman, the great Syrian noble, is stricken with the disease that throughout the Old Testament is treated as a parable of sin and death. He was the commander-in-chief of the army …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureNaaman's Imperfect Faith
'And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 16. But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. 17. And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Mr. Evil-Questioning Tried and Executed
Just listen to what Evil Questioning said to Naaman, and what Naaman said as the result of it. If I understand my text aright, it means just this: "What virtue can there be in water? Why should I be told to go and wash at all? I have washed many times and it never cured my leprosy. This dry disease is not so readily got rid of; but supposing there is some medical influence in water, why must I wash in Jordan? It is but a mere ditch, why can I not go and wash in some of my own rivers? We have medicinal …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860 A Little Maid
BY THEODORE T. MUNGER [From "Lamps and Paths," by courtesy of Houghton, Mifflin & Co.] In old days we read of angels who came and took men by the hand, and led them away from the city of Destruction. We see no white-robed angels now; yet men are led away from threatening destruction: a hand is put into theirs, and they are gently guided toward a bright and calm land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be that of a little child.--GEORGE ELIOT As aromatic plants bestow No spicy fragrance …
Philip P. Wells—Bible Stories and Religious Classics Gehazi
BY REV. J. MORGAN GIBBON "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 v. 27. Elisha and Gehazi were master and man. They were more. They were almost father and son. Elisha calls him "my heart," just as Paul calls Onesimus his heart. Yet they parted so.--"He went out from his presence a leper." The punishment was terrible. Was it deserved? Had the master a right to pass this sentence? …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Whether Christ's Genealogy is Suitably Traced by the Evangelists?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ's genealogy is not suitably traced by the Evangelists. For it is written (Is. 53:8): "Who shall declare His generation?" Therefore Christ's genealogy should not have been set down. Objection 2: Further, one man cannot possibly have two fathers. But Matthew says that "Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary": whereas Luke says that Joseph was the son of Heli. Therefore they contradict one another. Objection 3: Further, there seem to be divergencies between them …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Christ was Baptized at a Fitting Time?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ was baptized at an unfitting time. For Christ was baptized in order that He might lead others to baptism by His example. But it is commendable that the faithful of Christ should be baptized, not merely before their thirtieth year, but even in infancy. Therefore it seems that Christ should not have been baptized at the age of thirty. Objection 2: Further, we do not read that Christ taught or worked miracles before being baptized. But it would have been more profitable …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica "Let any Man Come. "
[7] "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."--John 7:37-38. THE text which heads this paper contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful; yet even a child can see that "one star differeth from another in glory" …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 5:10 NIV2 Kings 5:10 NLT2 Kings 5:10 ESV2 Kings 5:10 NASB2 Kings 5:10 KJV
2 Kings 5:10 Commentaries
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