King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 5:11 Mean?

2 Kings 5:11 in the King James Version says “But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on ...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. I thought: Heb. I said. or, I said with my self, He will surely come out, etc. strike: Heb. move up and down”

2 Kings 5:11 · KJV

Context

9

So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

10

And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, 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, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. I thought: Heb. I said. or, I said with my self, He will surely come out, etc. strike: Heb. move up and down

12

Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. Abana: or, Amana

13

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

Read 2 Kings 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the 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 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.

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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 · 20 words
וַיִּקְצֹ֥ף1 of 20

“was wroth”

H7107

to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage

נַֽעֲמָ֖ן2 of 20

“But Naaman”

H5283

naaman, the name of an israelite and of a damascene

וַיֵּלַ֑ךְ3 of 20
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אָמַ֜רְתִּי4 of 20

“Behold I thought”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֨ה5 of 20
H2009

lo!

אָמַ֜רְתִּי6 of 20

“Behold I thought”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֣י׀7 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יָצ֗וֹא8 of 20

“He will surely”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

יָצ֗וֹא9 of 20

“He will surely”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְעָמַד֙10 of 20

“to me and stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

וְקָרָא֙11 of 20

“and call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בְּשֵׁם12 of 20

“on the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָ֣ה13 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָ֔יו14 of 20

“his God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְהֵנִ֥יף15 of 20

“and strike”

H5130

to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad

יָד֛וֹ16 of 20

“his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֶל17 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמָּק֖וֹם18 of 20

“over the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

וְאָסַ֥ף19 of 20

“and recover”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

הַמְּצֹרָֽע׃20 of 20

“the 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 5:11 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 5:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 14:11John 13:20John 6:66-69Matthew 8:8Matthew 19:22Proverbs 3:7

Test Your Knowledge

2 Kings 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Kings Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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