In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

2 KINGS 5:18KJV
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2 Kings 5:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 5:18 mean?

In 2 Kings 5:18, Naaman asks the LORD to pardon him for bowing in the temple of Rimmon when he accompanies his master, the king of Syria. Naaman expects his duty to the king to place him in a setting where the king worships another god.

Naaman speaks to Elisha after declaring in verse 17 that he will offer sacrifices only to the LORD. The king’s leaning on Naaman’s hand pictures the physical support Naaman gives his master, even as both enter the place of worship.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 5:18

  • “worship” — שָׁחָה (shachah): This word can mean to bow down or show reverence. The same Hebrew word stands behind “bow” in this verse, linking Naaman’s action with the king’s worship while leaving their intentions distinct in the story.
  • “pardon” — סָלַח (salach): This word means to forgive or pardon. Naaman uses it at both the beginning and the end of his request, placing his concern about forgiveness around the description of his duty.

Why 2 Kings 5:18 matters

  • Naaman’s concern involves a specific royal duty, not a general wish to worship Rimmon. He describes accompanying “my master” and supporting him in Rimmon’s house.
  • The verse follows Naaman’s commitment to the LORD and shows the difficult situation he expects on returning to Syria. His request arises from the apparent tension between that commitment and his service to the king.
  • Elisha’s reply, “Go in peace” in verse 19, is brief. The story records no further explanation of how Elisha understood Naaman’s request.

Where else these words appear

“Rimmon” Hebrew H7417 · used in 13 verses

  • Joshua 15:32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:
  • Judges 20:47 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months.
  • 2 Samuel 4:9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

“leaneth” Hebrew H8172 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • 2 Chronicles 13:18 Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers.
  • Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

“pardon” Hebrew H5545 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 34:9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
  • Numbers 15:26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest;(for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)