Bible Strands
2 Kings 5:1
Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative opens by introducing Naaman, the military commander of the Aramean king, at the moment his status and condition are established before the account of his healing begins.
The words — `גָּדֹל` (ga.Dol) translates literally as "great," describing Naaman's elevated standing in his master's eyes, while `צְבָא` (tze.Va') means "army," identifying his official command.
The thread — The theme of divine sovereignty over military outcomes echoes Proverbs 21:31, while Naaman's identity as a Gentile leper prefigures the Gentile inclusion noted in Luke 4:27 and Romans 15:18.
Why it lands — The text records that a highly successful military leader possessed a debilitating disease, establishing the factual baseline that human status and divine favor do not prevent physical affliction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
Cross-references
- Luke 4:27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet. Yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”
- Romans 15:18 I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,
- Proverbs 21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
- Numbers 12:10 As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous,
- Deuteronomy 2:37 But you did not go near the land of the Ammonites, or the land along the banks of the Jabbok River, or the cities of the hill country, or any place that the LORD our God had forbidden.
- Esther 9:4 For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
- Esther 10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.
- Exodus 11:3 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.
- Leviticus 13:2 “When someone has a swelling or rash or bright spot on his skin that may be an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest.
- 2 Kings 4:8 One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.