King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 5:12 Mean?

2 Kings 5:12 in the King James Version says “Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clea...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

2 Kings 5:12 · KJV

Context

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?

14

Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Read 2 Kings 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 5: God's grace extends to Gentiles; judgment on greed. 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 · 16 words
הֲלֹ֡א1 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

טוֹב֩2 of 16

“better”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֲבָנָ֨ה3 of 16

“Are not Abana”

H71

abanah, a river near damascus

וּפַרְפַּ֜ר4 of 16

“and Pharpar”

H6554

parpar, a river of syria

נַֽהֲר֣וֹת5 of 16

“rivers”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

דַּמֶּ֗שֶׂק6 of 16

“of Damascus”

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

מִכֹּל֙7 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מֵימֵ֣י8 of 16

“than all the waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל9 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הֲלֹֽא10 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶרְחַ֥ץ11 of 16

“may I not wash”

H7364

to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)

בָּהֶ֖ם12 of 16
H0
וְטָהָ֑רְתִּי13 of 16

“in them and be clean”

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

וַיִּ֖פֶן14 of 16

“So he turned”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ15 of 16
H1980

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

בְּחֵמָֽה׃16 of 16

“in a rage”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

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 5:12 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 5:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 1:9Ezekiel 47:1-8Proverbs 19:11Proverbs 14:17Joshua 3:15-17Zechariah 13:1

Places in This Verse

AbanaRiver · Modern: Barada River · 33.51°N, 36.30°E1 verse across 1 book
DamascusSettlement · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E58 verses across 15 books
PharparRiver · Modern: Awaj River · 33.31°N, 36.06°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in 2 Kings 5 →

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

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