And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.

2 KINGS 5:4KJV
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2 Kings 5:4 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 5:4 mean?

2 Kings 5:4 describes how someone went to Naaman’s master and reported what the Israelite servant girl had said. The verse shows the message being passed along, setting up the next steps in Naaman’s search for healing.

In the story, Naaman is a commander in the Syrian army who has leprosy. A young Israelite girl, taken captive, had told Naaman’s wife about a prophet in Israel who could heal him. In this verse, someone (likely Naaman himself or a servant) goes to Naaman’s superior, the king of Syria, to share the girl’s words. This action moves the story forward, as the king’s involvement leads to Naaman’s journey to Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 5:4

  • "in" (בּוֹא, bo’): This word often means "to come" or "to go in." Here, it signals someone entering to deliver a message, emphasizing the deliberate action of bringing important news.
  • "told" (נָגַד, nagad): This verb means "to make known" or "to report." It highlights that the information from the servant girl is being formally relayed to someone in authority.
  • "lord" (אֲדוֹן, adon): This term means "master" or "lord," and in this context, it refers to Naaman’s superior, likely the king of Syria. It shows respect and the chain of command in the story.
  • "maid" (נַעֲרָה, na‘arah): This word means "young girl" or "servant girl." It clarifies that the source of the information is a young female servant from Israel, which is significant given her low status but important message.

Why 2 Kings 5:4 matters

  • This verse shows how a message from a lowly servant girl is taken seriously enough to reach the highest levels of power, highlighting the unexpected ways important information can travel.
  • The verse connects the private conversation in Naaman’s household to official action, showing how personal hope becomes a matter of state interest.
  • By noting the chain of communication, the verse sets up the following events, where Naaman’s quest for healing becomes possible only because the message is faithfully passed along.

Where else these words appear

“maid” Hebrew H5291 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 24:14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
  • Deuteronomy 22:27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.
  • 1 Kings 1:2 Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat.