2 Kings 5:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 5:3 mean?

2 Kings 5:3 describes a young Israelite servant girl expressing her wish that her master, Naaman, could visit the prophet in Samaria, because she believes the prophet could heal him of his leprosy. She is speaking to Naaman’s wife, showing hope for Naaman’s healing through the prophet’s power.

The verse takes place in the house of Naaman, a Syrian army commander who suffers from leprosy. The speaker is a young girl from Israel who had been taken captive and now serves Naaman’s wife. Her statement points to the reputation of the prophet in Samaria (Elisha) as someone through whom God brings healing, and it sets the stage for Naaman’s journey to seek help in Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 5:3

• "said" (אָמַר, 'amar): This is the common Hebrew word for "said" or "spoke," highlighting the servant girl’s initiative in speaking up, which is notable given her low status.
• "mistress" (גְּבִרְתָּהּ, gevirta): This word means "lady" or "mistress," clarifying that the girl is addressing Naaman’s wife, not Naaman himself.
• "recover" (אָסַף, 'asaf): This word often means "to gather" or "to take away." Here, it carries the sense of "taking away" the leprosy, emphasizing the idea of removal or healing rather than just improvement.
• "leprosy" (צָרַעַת, tsara‘at): This Hebrew word refers to a range of skin diseases, not just what modern medicine calls leprosy, so the condition could have looked different from what we think of today.

Why 2 Kings 5:3 matters

• The verse highlights the faith and compassion of a young servant girl, who, despite her circumstances, wishes good for her captor and believes in the power of Israel’s prophet.
• It introduces the idea that healing and hope can come from unexpected places and people, setting up the larger story of Naaman’s healing and the crossing of cultural boundaries.
• The mention of the prophet in Samaria (Elisha) shows his reputation and the recognition of God’s work in Israel, even among foreigners.