Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

2 KINGS 5:1KJV
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2 Kings 5:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 5:1 mean?

2 Kings 5:1 introduces Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, describing him as a highly respected and powerful man because the LORD had allowed him to bring victory to Syria. Despite his status and bravery, Naaman suffered from leprosy, a serious skin disease.

This verse sets the stage for the story by highlighting Naaman’s importance in Syria and the surprising detail that his success was attributed to the LORD (the God of Israel), not the Syrian gods. The verse also creates tension by showing that, even though Naaman had everything going for him—honor, strength, and favor with his king—he still faced a problem he could not solve on his own.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 5:1

  • נָעֲמָן (Naʿămān): This is the personal name of the Syrian commander. The name means "pleasantness," which contrasts with his affliction.
  • שַׂר־הַצָּבָא (sar ha-tsābāʾ, “captain of the host”): This phrase means Naaman was the top military officer, showing his high rank and authority.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, “the LORD”): The verse credits Naaman’s victories to the God of Israel, not the Syrian gods, which is unusual and signals God’s involvement beyond Israel.
  • גִּבּוֹר חַיִל (gibbōr ḥayil, “mighty man of valour”): This phrase emphasizes Naaman’s bravery and reputation as a warrior, underlining the contrast with his vulnerability as a leper.
  • מְצֹרָע (mĕṣōraʿ, “leper”): This word describes Naaman’s disease, which would have been seen as both physically and socially devastating.

Why 2 Kings 5:1 matters

  • The verse makes clear that the God of Israel was active even in the affairs of foreign nations, challenging the idea that God’s power was limited to Israel alone.
  • By introducing Naaman’s leprosy right after listing his achievements, the verse highlights that no amount of worldly success can shield a person from suffering or need.
  • This introduction prepares the reader for the rest of the chapter, where Naaman’s search for healing leads him to encounter the prophet Elisha and the God of Israel in a personal way.

Where else these words appear

“Naaman” Hebrew H5283 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 46:21 And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
  • 2 Kings 5:9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
  • 2 Kings 5:21 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?

“leper” Hebrew H6879 · used in 18 verses

  • Exodus 4:6 And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
  • Leviticus 22:4 What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him;
  • 2 Kings 7:3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

“deliverance” Hebrew H8668 · used in 32 verses

  • Judges 15:18 And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
  • 2 Chronicles 6:41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
  • Psalms 119:41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

“Syria” Hebrew H758 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • 1 Kings 22:35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:23 And he took Geshur, and Aram, with the towns of Jair, from them, with Kenath, and the towns thereof, even threescore cities. All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.