King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 5:26 Mean?

2 Kings 5:26 in the King James Version says “And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a ti... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

2 Kings 5:26 · KJV


Context

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

25

But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. no whither: Heb. not hither or thither

26

And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

27

The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

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 · 23 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 23

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֙2 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֹֽא3 of 23
H3808

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

לִבִּ֣י4 of 23

not mine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

הָלַ֔ךְ5 of 23

unto him Went

H1980

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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר6 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָֽפַךְ7 of 23

turned

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

אִ֛ישׁ8 of 23

with thee when the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מֵעַ֥ל9 of 23
H5921

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

מֶרְכַּבְתּ֖וֹ10 of 23

again from his chariot

H4818

a chariot

לִקְרָאתֶ֑ךָ11 of 23

to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

הַעֵ֞ת12 of 23

thee Is it a time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

וְלָקַ֣חַת13 of 23

and to receive

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת14 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכֶּ֙סֶף֙15 of 23

money

H3701

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

וְלָקַ֣חַת16 of 23

and to receive

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְּגָדִ֔ים17 of 23

garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְזֵיתִ֤ים18 of 23

and oliveyards

H2132

an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry

וּכְרָמִים֙19 of 23

and vineyards

H3754

a garden or vineyard

וְצֹ֣אן20 of 23

and sheep

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וּבָקָ֔ר21 of 23

and oxen

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וַֽעֲבָדִ֖ים22 of 23

and menservants

H5650

a servant

וּשְׁפָחֽוֹת׃23 of 23

and maidservants

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)


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 5:26 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 5:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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