King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 5:1 Mean?

2 Kings 5:1 in the King James Version says “Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him th... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. with: Heb. before. honourable: or, gracious: Heb. lifted up, or, accepted in countenance. deliverance: or, victory

2 Kings 5:1 · KJV


Context

1

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. with: Heb. before. honourable: or, gracious: Heb. lifted up, or, accepted in countenance. deliverance: or, victory

2

And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. waited: Heb. was before

3

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. with: Heb. before recover: Heb. gather in


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 5: God's grace extends to Gentiles; judgment on greed. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 5 takes place during the Elisha prophetic ministry, approximately 850-800 BCE. The chapter's theme (Naaman's Healing and Gehazi's Greed) reflects the historical reality of God's compassionate provision through prophetic miracles while both kingdoms struggled with persistent idolatry. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 5 regarding god's grace extends to gentiles; judgment on greed?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְ֠נַֽעֲמָן1 of 23

Now Naaman

H5283

naaman, the name of an israelite and of a damascene

שַׂר2 of 23

captain

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

צְבָ֨א3 of 23

of the host

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

מֶֽלֶךְ4 of 23

of the king

H4428

a king

לַֽאֲרָ֑ם5 of 23

of Syria

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

הָיָ֣ה6 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וְהָאִ֗ישׁ7 of 23

man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

גָּד֨וֹל8 of 23

was a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

פָנִ֔ים9 of 23

with

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲדֹנָיו֙10 of 23

his master

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

וּנְשֻׂ֣א11 of 23

and honourable

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

פָנִ֔ים12 of 23

with

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כִּי13 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

ב֛וֹ14 of 23
H0
נָֽתַן15 of 23

had given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֥ה16 of 23

because by him the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

תְּשׁוּעָ֖ה17 of 23

deliverance

H8668

rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)

לַֽאֲרָ֑ם18 of 23

of Syria

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

וְהָאִ֗ישׁ19 of 23

man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָיָ֛ה20 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

גִּבּ֥וֹר21 of 23

he was also a mighty

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

חַ֖יִל22 of 23

in valour

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

מְצֹרָֽע׃23 of 23

but he was a leper

H6879

to scourge, i.e., (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 5:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 5:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study