And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.

2 KINGS 5:22KJV
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2 Kings 5:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 5:22 mean?

2 Kings 5:22 shows Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, lying to Naaman by saying that Elisha has sent him to request a gift of silver and clothing for two visiting prophets. Gehazi invents this story to get valuables from Naaman under false pretenses.

In this verse, Gehazi approaches Naaman after Naaman has been healed of leprosy by Elisha. Gehazi claims that two young men from the group of prophets have just arrived from Mount Ephraim and asks for a talent of silver and two sets of clothes for them. Gehazi’s words are a deception; Elisha did not send him, and there are no visitors. This sets up the following verses, where Gehazi’s dishonesty is exposed.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 5:22

  • The word "well" is שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which means peace, well-being, or all is well. Gehazi uses this word to reassure Naaman that everything is fine, setting up his lie.
  • "Talent" is כִּכָּר (kikkar), a large unit of weight for silver, showing that Gehazi is asking for a significant amount, not a small favor.
  • "Changes of garments" is חֲלִפָּה (chalifah), meaning sets of clothes. In ancient times, clothing was valuable, so Gehazi’s request is for something costly, not just practical.

Why 2 Kings 5:22 matters

  • This verse reveals Gehazi’s willingness to lie and misuse Elisha’s name for personal gain, which is a key turning point in the story.
  • The details about the "sons of the prophets" and the specific request for silver and clothing show how carefully Gehazi crafts his lie to sound believable.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the seriousness of Gehazi’s actions and why his punishment in the following verses is so severe.