King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 5:8 Mean?

2 Kings 5:8 in the King James Version says “And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the ki... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.

2 Kings 5:8 · KJV


Context

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.

8

And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.

9

So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

10

And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.

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 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.

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 · 26 words
וַיְהִ֞י1 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ׀2 of 26

had heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֱלִישָׁ֣ע3 of 26

And it was so when Elisha

H477

elisha, the famous prophet

אִישׁ4 of 26

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)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים5 of 26

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כִּֽי6 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

קָרַ֖עְתָּ7 of 26

Wherefore hast thou rent

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ8 of 26

that the king

H4428

a king

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃9 of 26

in Israel

H3478

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

אֶת10 of 26
H853

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

בְּגָדֶ֑יךָ11 of 26

his clothes

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וַיִּשְׁלַח֙12 of 26

that he sent

H7971

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

אֶל13 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ14 of 26

that the king

H4428

a king

לֵאמֹ֔ר15 of 26

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֥מָּה16 of 26
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

קָרַ֖עְתָּ17 of 26

Wherefore hast thou rent

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

בְּגָדֶ֑יךָ18 of 26

his clothes

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

יָבֹֽא19 of 26

let him come

H935

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

נָ֣א20 of 26
H4994

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

אֵלַ֔י21 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְיֵדַ֕ע22 of 26

now to me and he shall know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֛י23 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יֵ֥שׁ24 of 26

that there is

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

נָבִ֖יא25 of 26

a prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃26 of 26

in Israel

H3478

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


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 5:8 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 5:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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