2 Reis 5
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Reis 5
NJB (MT versing) Naaman Is Healed Naaman's Leprosy Healed The Curing of the Leprosy of Naaman Naaman Is Cured Naaman Is Healed 5:1-5 5:1-4 5:1-5a 5:1-5a 5:1-7 5:5-7 5:5b-7 5:5b-6 5:6-7 5:7 5:8-14 5:8-14 5:8-14 5:8 5:8-14 5:9-12 Gehazi's Greed 5:13-15 5:15-19 5:15-19 5:15-19a 5:15-19 5:16a 5:16b-18 5:19a Gehazi's Greed 5:19b-24 5:19b-21 5:20-25 5:20-27 5:20-24 5:22 5:23-25a 5:25-27 5:25b 5:26-27 5:26-27 5:25-27 Etc.
2 Reis 5:1-5
5:1 "Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria" Wow, of all the people YHWH would show mercy to, this is shocking! YHWH loves all people! Jesus uses this very example in Luke 4:27. Surprisingly, Josephus does not record this account. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "Syria" This was the Greek word for "Aram" (BDB 74), which included the nation above Israel extending to the Euphrates River. See NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 410-412. There was an off-and-on relationship of hostility between Israel and Aram because of their proximity. ▣ NASB, TEV "highly respected" NKJV, Peshitta "honorable man" "in high favor" "favor" "highly esteemed" "high in his favor" "marveled at in face" The MT has the phrase "lift the face" (BDB 669, KB 724, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE plus the NOUN "face" (BDB 815). This very idiom is what judges in Israel are not to do. By lifting the chin one is able to recognize the person. Here, the idiom means "lift the face so as to recognize and honor the person." ▣ "by him the Lord had given victory to Syria" This is one of many examples in the OT of YHWH's control of and direction of all history. This is His world (i.e., Deut. 32:8) and He has a plan for it (i.e., Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:28)!! ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, JPSOA "victory" LXX, Peshitta "deliverance" The MT has the FEMININE NOUN (BDB 448; NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 556, #V), which means salvation deliverance victory Salvation in the OT is primarily physical deliverance (i.e, 2 Chr. 6:41; Ps. 119:41; 132:16). Only in the NT does it take on the added dimension of spiritual salvation. ▣ "but he was a leper" For a discussion of the word "leprosy" see my exegetical notes online at Leviticus 13-14. Also note ABD, vol. 4, pp. 277-282. In the ANE "leprosy" was used for many diseases from full leprosy (Hansens's disease) to skin pigmentation (cf. Leviticus 13-14). 5:2 This verse shows the tension between Syria and Israel during this period, as do vv. 6-7. ▣ "had taken captive a little girl" Wow, this little girl who had been captured and made a slave still cares about her master's health! This slave girl had great faith in YHWH and His prophet! I am sure she had heard many stories about Elisha before her capture. Also, she did not blame YHWH for the misfortune of her life! YHWH took a terrible event and used it for His glory. Please read Hannah Whithall Smith, The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life. 5:3 "Samaria" This was the capital of Israel, built during the reign of Omri. The northern people of YHWH went by several names. Israel (collective term) Ephraim (the largest tribe) Samaria (the capital) Although it is often referred to in literature as "the northern ten tribes," it was only nine tribes. SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF THE DIVIDED KINGDOM ▣ "cure him" This VERB (BDB 62, KB 74, Qal PERFECT) basically means "to gather" or "to take away." It is rarely used of taking away an illness (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 469, #3). 5:4-5 Notice how the simple message of the slave girl motivated both Naaman and the king of Syria. 5:5 Notice that neither the king of Syria or Israel is named. Therefore, moderns cannot exactly date this event. Unfortunately, too often for moderns, dating somehow trumps the historicity of the event. SPECIAL TOPIC: OT HISTORIOGRAPHY COMPARED WITH NEAR EASTERN CULTURES SPECIAL TOPIC: OT HISTORICAL NARRATIVE ▣ "talents. . .shekels" This was a very large sum of money. SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES ▣ NASB, NKJV, REB, JPSOA "changes of clothes" NRSV, Peshitta "set of garments" "changes of fine clothes" "festival robes" "changes of robes" The term (BDB 93) can refer to expensive clothes expensive cloth to make clothes In the ANE there were several sources of wealth. food stores weight of valuable metal gem stones expensive clothing or cloth The Tyndale OT Commentary, p. 207, says it was cloth not clothes, but it does not clarify why this assumption is made. This wealth carried by Naaman but sent by the Syrian King, was apparently for a court prophet, but Elisha was not that. This was an attempt to buy God's healing. This is why Gehazi's greed was so serious. It gave the wrong impression about YHWH and His prophet.
2 Reis 5:6-7
5:7 "tore his clothes" See SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES.
2 Reis 5:8-14
5:8 "he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel" Naaman already believed he could be healed in Israel, but his faith would be deepened into full faith in YHWH (cf. vv. 15-19). The word "know" often has the connotation of personal relationship. SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW 5:9-10 Naaman came with all his pride and power to Elisha's door but the prophet only sent his messenger to the door. This was a faith test for Naaman. He expected the prophet to perform some act of magic. stand before him call on YHWH wave his hand over the place of the leprosy 5:10 "Jordan" This main river of Palestine was about a 40 mile trip from Samaria. 5:11 "call on the name of the Lord" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON THE NAME (Isa. 12:4) and SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH. 5:12 Two main rivers of Damascus, Syria, were very clear. The Jordan was quite muddy (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 802-805). The MT has "Abana" but the Masoretic scholars suggested "Amanah" (BDB 53, Targums). 5:13 "My father" This is a somewhat unusual title for a master. Usually he would be called "Lord" (Adon). But there are several examples of the metaphorical usage (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 221, #6). used of Joseph's relationship to Pharaoh ‒ Gen. 45:8 used of a judge ‒ Jdgs. 18:19 used of a king ‒ 1 Sam. 24:11 used of a prophet ‒ 2 Kgs. 6:21 used of Job for his care of the poor ‒ Job 29:12-16 used of a governor ‒ Isa. 22:20-21 5:14 I Can imagine Naaman dipping once, no change; twice, no change; thrice, no change; and the seventh time—baby skin! This sevenfold act may reflect the symbolism of the number seven the sevenfold procedures of cleansing a leper in Leviticus 13-14. SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE
2 Reis 5:15-19
5:15 "there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" Wow, what an affirmation of monotheism! SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM ▣ "please take a present" Culturally a present was expected. See full note at 2 Kgs. 4:42-44. 5:16 YHWH could not be bought but He did want all the world, even Gentiles, to "know" Him! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 5:17 "at least be given two mules' load of earth" In the ANE the people believed that national gods only had power in geographical regions. Naaman's new faith was not yet fully informed by the theology of Moses. He wanted to worship on the soil from the land of Israel. 5:18-19 This passage has always impressed me. Naaman had ritual obligations as captain of Syrian's military to participate in the national ritual of Rimmon worship beside the king. However, Naaman knew there was no God but YHWH! What could he do? The prophet in v. 19 seems to have no problem with Naaman's official duties (i.e., Daniel and his 3 friends). I wonder how many believers, trapped in hostile anti-God nations, this speaks to. But I also remember how the early Christians suffered at the hands of Romans! SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER? 5:18 "Rimmon" He (BDB 942 II) is the fertility storm/rain god of Aram/Syria, also known as Hadad (cf. Zech. 12:11). The name seems to come from the root "to thunder." SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE
2 Reis 5:20-25
5:20-27 This paragraph records the sad story of Gehazi's greed. Did he really think the prophet would not know (v. 26)? Sin always has terrible consequences! These actions of Gehazi changed the focus of the miracle to one of heal-for-hire! This changed the focus from YHWH's unique existence and mercy. 5:20 "spared" This VERB (BDB 362, KB 359, Qal PERFECT) basically means "to withhold" or "to refrain." Here, it is used in the sense of not accepting. This would be the exact opposite of what Gehazi will do.
2 Reis 5:26-27
5:26 "heart" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART. 5:27 "forever" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam).