And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.

2 KINGS 5:17KJV
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2 Kings 5:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 5:17 mean?

2 Kings 5:17 describes Naaman, after being healed of leprosy, asking Elisha for permission to take two mule-loads of earth back to his homeland so he can worship only the LORD and not other gods. Naaman explains that from now on, he will not offer sacrifices to any other deity except the LORD.

Naaman, a Syrian military commander, is speaking to the prophet Elisha after being healed in Israel. The request for earth reflects an ancient belief that a god was connected to the land of a particular place, so Naaman wants to take some of Israel’s soil home to worship the LORD properly. This verse shows Naaman’s desire to honor the God of Israel exclusively, even while living in a foreign land.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 5:17

  • אֲדָמָה (adamah, "earth"): This word means soil or ground. Naaman’s request for "earth" is significant because it shows his wish to maintain a connection to the land associated with the LORD, reflecting ancient ideas about worship and sacred space.
  • עֹלָה (olah, "offering"): This is the word for a burnt offering, a specific type of sacrifice that is completely burned on the altar. Naaman’s mention of this word shows his intent to participate in Israelite worship practices, not just to acknowledge the LORD in name.
  • זֶבַח (zevach, "sacrifice"): This term refers to general sacrifices, not just burnt offerings. Naaman’s statement that he will not offer these to other gods underlines his commitment to exclusive worship of the LORD.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH, "LORD"): This is the personal name of the God of Israel. Naaman’s use of this name, instead of a generic term for deity, shows he understands which God he now wants to serve.

Why 2 Kings 5:17 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that Naaman’s conversion was only partial or superficial; his request for earth and exclusive worship shows a real change of heart.
  • The verse highlights the ancient belief that worship was tied to specific land, helping modern readers understand why Naaman would want to take soil home.
  • 2 Kings 5:17 connects to the wider story by showing the impact of God’s power on foreigners and outsiders, emphasizing that the LORD’s reach extends beyond Israel.

Where else these words appear

“mules'” Hebrew H6505 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Samuel 13:29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.
  • Psalms 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

“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 5:6 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.
  • 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?

“two” Hebrew H6776 · used in 15 verses

  • Judges 19:3 And her husband arose, and went after her, to speak friendly unto her, and to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of asses: and she brought him into her father's house: and when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
  • 2 Samuel 16:1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
  • Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

“burden” Hebrew H4853 · used in 60 verses

  • Exodus 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
  • Isaiah 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.