And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.

2 KINGS 5:24KJV
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2 Kings 5:24 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 5:24 mean?

2 Kings 5:24 describes how Gehazi, after receiving gifts from Naaman’s servants, secretly took the items from them at a tower, hid them in his house, and then sent the men away. This verse shows Gehazi’s effort to conceal what he had done from his master, Elisha.

In this scene, Gehazi is acting alone after having lied to Naaman to obtain gifts under false pretenses. The verse highlights Gehazi’s careful actions: he meets the servants at a specific place (the tower), takes the goods himself, stores them privately, and ensures the men leave without drawing attention. This secrecy sets up the confrontation with Elisha that follows.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 5:24

  • The word "tower" (עֹפֶל, ʿophel) often refers to a hill or a fortified structure. Here, it marks a discreet location outside the main house, suitable for a secret exchange.
  • "Bestowed" (פָּקַד, pāqad) can mean to deposit, appoint, or entrust. In this context, it emphasizes Gehazi’s deliberate act of hiding or storing the gifts, not just casually placing them somewhere.

Why 2 Kings 5:24 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Gehazi’s actions were not accidental or careless; he intentionally planned to hide his wrongdoing from Elisha.
  • The detail about the tower and Gehazi’s secrecy helps the reader understand the seriousness of his deception and the lengths he went to cover it up.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing the contrast between Elisha’s integrity and Gehazi’s dishonesty, setting the stage for the consequences that follow.

Where else these words appear

“tower” Hebrew H6076 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
  • 1 Samuel 5:9 And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.
  • 1 Samuel 6:5 Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.