King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 5:18 Mean?

2 Kings 5:18 in the King James Version says “In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he l... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

2 Kings 5:18 · KJV


Context

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 offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.

18

In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

19

And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way. a little: Heb. a little piece of ground

20

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

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.

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 · 27 words
בַּדָּבָ֥ר1 of 27

In this thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֔ה2 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יִסְלַח3 of 27

pardon

H5545

to forgive

יְהוָ֥ה4 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

לְעַבְדְּךָ֖5 of 27

thy servant

H5650

a servant

בְּב֣וֹא6 of 27

goeth

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֲדֹנִ֣י7 of 27

that when my master

H113

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

בֵּ֣ית8 of 27

into the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

רִמֹּ֔ן9 of 27

of Rimmon

H7417

rimmon, the name of five places in palestine

בְּהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוָיָ֙תִי֙10 of 27

and I bow

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

שָׁ֜מָּה11 of 27
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְה֣וּא׀12 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נִשְׁעָ֣ן13 of 27

there and he leaneth

H8172

to support one's self

עַל14 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יָדִ֗י15 of 27

on my 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

בְּהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוָיָ֙תִי֙16 of 27

and I bow

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

בֵּ֣ית17 of 27

into the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

רִמֹּ֔ן18 of 27

of Rimmon

H7417

rimmon, the name of five places in palestine

בְּהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוָיָ֙תִי֙19 of 27

and I bow

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

בֵּ֣ית20 of 27

into the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

רִמֹּ֔ן21 of 27

of Rimmon

H7417

rimmon, the name of five places in palestine

יִסְלַח22 of 27

pardon

H5545

to forgive

נא23 of 27
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

יְהוָ֥ה24 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

לְעַבְדְּךָ֖25 of 27

thy servant

H5650

a servant

בַּדָּבָ֥ר26 of 27

In this thing

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּֽה׃27 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 5:18 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 5:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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