Bible Strands
2 Kings 5:16
But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elisha addresses Naaman and his attendants immediately after they acknowledge the God of Israel and offer him a gift. He responds to their repeated urging to accept material compensation for healing them.
The words — The oath formula חַי יְהוָה (chai Yahweh) literally means "life of Yahweh" or "as surely as the LORD lives." The verb אֶקּח (e.Kach) translates to "I will accept," which Elisha explicitly negates to refuse the gift.
The thread — Elisha employs this exact oath formula in 2 Kings 3:14 to ground his prophetic authority in Yahweh's presence. The narrative returns to this refusal in 2 Kings 5:20 and 5:26 when Gehazi's hidden greed directly contrasts Elisha's stated integrity.
Why it lands — The text records a direct refusal to treat divine healing as a transaction that requires payment. It requires the reader to separate spiritual authority from material reward and to reject the assumption that God's work can be bought.
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 he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 3:14 Then Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not for my regard for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or acknowledge you.
- 2 Kings 5:20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
- 2 Kings 5:26 But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?
- Genesis 14:22 But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
- 1 Kings 13:8 But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place.
- 1 Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!”
- Daniel 5:17 In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him.
- 1 Kings 18:15 Then Elijah said, “As surely as the LORD of Hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will present myself to Ahab today.”
- Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
- Acts 8:18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.