King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 5:18 Mean?

“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.”

Context

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(18*)* **In this thing**.—*Touching this thing* (but in at the end of the verse). The LXX. and Syriac read, “and touching this thing,” an improvement in the connection. **To worship**.—To bow down (the same verb occurs thrice in the verse). **The house of Rimmon**.—The Assyrian Rammânu (from *ramāmu*, “to thunder”). One of his epithets in the cuneiform is *Râmimu*, “the thunderer;” and another is *Barqu* (=*Bâriqu*), “he who lightens.” Rimmon was the god of the atmosphere, called in Accadian, AN. IM (“god of the air or wind”), figured on bas-reliefs and cylinders as armed with the thunderbolt. His name is prominent in the story of the Flood (e.g., it is said Rammânu irmum, “Rimmon thundered”); and one of his standing titles is *Râhiçu* (“he who deluges”). The Assyrians identified Rammân with the Aramean and Edomite Hadad. (Comp. the name Hadad-rimmon, Zechariah 12:11; and Tabrimon, 1Kings 15:18.) A list of no fewer than forty-one titles of Rimmon has been found among the cuneiform tablets. **Leaneth on my hand.**—A metaphor denoting the attendance on the king by his favourite grandee or principal adjutant. (Comp. 2Kings 7:2; 2Kings 7:17.) **When I bow down myself.**—An Aramaic form is used. The clause is omitted in some Hebrew MSS. **The Lord pardon thy servant.**—Naaman had solemnly promised to serve no god but Jehovah for the future. He now prays that an unavoidable exception—which will, indeed, be such only in appearance—may be excused by Jehovah. His request is not, of course, to be judged by a Christian standard. By the reply, “Go in peace,” the prophet, as spokesman of Jehovah, acceded to Naaman’s prayer. “Naaman durst not profess conversion to the foreign cultus before the king, his master; so he asks leave to go on assisting at the national rites” (Reuss). **The Lord pardon.**—In the current Hebrew text it is *the Lord pardon, I pray.* The LXX. appears to have had the same reading; but very many MSS. and all the other versions omit the precative particle. It is, however, probably genuine.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.