King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 5:22 Mean?

2 Kings 5:22 in the King James Version says “And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two yo...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.”

2 Kings 5:22 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

21

So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? Is: Heb. Is there peace?

22

And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.

23

And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

24

And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. tower: or, secret place

Read 2 Kings 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.

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 · 24 words
לֵאמֹר֒1 of 24

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁל֗וֹם2 of 24

“All is well”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

אֲדֹנִי֮3 of 24

“My master”

H113

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

שְׁלָחַ֣נִי4 of 24

“hath sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לֵאמֹר֒5 of 24

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֣ה6 of 24
H2009

lo!

עַתָּ֡ה7 of 24
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

זֶ֠ה8 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בָּ֣אוּ9 of 24

“Behold even now there be come”

H935

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

אֵלַ֧י10 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וּשְׁתֵּ֖י11 of 24

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

נְעָרִ֛ים12 of 24

“young men”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

מֵהַ֥ר13 of 24

“to me from mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

אֶפְרַ֖יִם14 of 24

“Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

מִבְּנֵ֣י15 of 24

“of the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים16 of 24

“of the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

תְּנָה17 of 24

“give”

H5414

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

נָּ֤א18 of 24
H4994

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

לָהֶם֙19 of 24
H0
כִּכַּר20 of 24

“them I pray thee a talent”

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

כֶּ֔סֶף21 of 24

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וּשְׁתֵּ֖י22 of 24

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

חֲלִפ֥וֹת23 of 24

“changes”

H2487

alternation

בְּגָדִֽים׃24 of 24

“of garments”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

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 5:22 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 5:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 5:5Jeremiah 9:5Acts 5:3-4Revelation 21:8John 8:44Isaiah 59:3

Test Your Knowledge

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

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