Bible Strands
2 Kings 5:11
But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Naaman speaks to himself immediately after receiving Elisha’s indirect command through a messenger to wash in the Jordan. He has not yet addressed his attendants, who will only approach him after he turns and begins to depart in anger.
The words — The Hebrew וַיִּקְצֹף (va/yik.tzof) literally means “and he was angry,” capturing the sudden shift from expectation to resentment. The phrase אֵלַי אָמַרְתִּי (e/lai a.mar.ti) translates to “I said to myself,” marking the internal calculation that fuels his outrage.
The thread — This pattern of unmet expectations breeding arrogance appears in Proverbs 1:32, 3:7, and 13:10, where complacency and self-reliance lead to destruction and strife. The narrative echoes the biblical warning that human standards often clash with divine methods.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that spiritual authority operates outside personal prestige or predictable rituals. It requires the reader to abandon the demand for spectacular displays and submit to simple obedience.
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
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 1:32 For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
- Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
- Proverbs 13:10 Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
- Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
- Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
- Matthew 15:27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
- Matthew 19:22 When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.
- Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- John 4:48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”
- John 6:66 From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.