King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 5:5 Mean?

2 Kings 5:5 in the King James Version says “And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with ...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. with: Heb. in his hand”

2 Kings 5:5 · KJV

Context

3

And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. with: Heb. before recover: Heb. gather in

4

And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.

5

And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment. with: Heb. in his hand

6

And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.

7

And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.

Read 2 Kings 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 5: God's grace extends to Gentiles; judgment on greed. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. 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 · 22 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֶ֣לֶךְ2 of 22

“And the king”

H4428

a king

אֲרָם֙3 of 22

“of Syria”

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

לֶךְ4 of 22
H1980

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

בֹּ֔א5 of 22

“go”

H935

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

וְאֶשְׁלְחָ֥ה6 of 22

“and I will send”

H7971

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

סֵ֖פֶר7 of 22

“a letter”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

אֶל8 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֣לֶךְ9 of 22

“And the king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל10 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

וַיֵּלֶךְ֩11 of 22
H1980

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

וַיִּקַּ֨ח12 of 22

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְּיָד֜וֹ13 of 22

“with him”

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

וְעֶ֖שֶׂר14 of 22

“and ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

כִּכְּרֵי15 of 22

“talents”

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

כֶ֗סֶף16 of 22

“of silver”

H3701

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

וְשֵׁ֤שֶׁת17 of 22

“and six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

אֲלָפִים֙18 of 22

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

זָהָ֔ב19 of 22

“pieces of gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וְעֶ֖שֶׂר20 of 22

“and ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

חֲלִיפ֥וֹת21 of 22

“changes”

H2487

alternation

בְּגָדִֽים׃22 of 22

“of raiment”

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 5:5 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 5:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 14:122 Kings 8:8-92 Kings 4:42Genesis 11:7Numbers 22:7Numbers 22:17-18

Places in This Verse

Syria 1Region · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E89 verses across 10 books
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

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