Bible Strands
2 Kings 5:17
“If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry. For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Naaman addresses Elisha immediately after the prophet refuses his payment for healing from leprosy. He makes this request at the moment of departure following his cleansing in the Jordan River.
The words — יֻתַּן (yu.tan) translates to "let it be given," and מַשּׂא (ma.Sa') denotes a "load" or "burden." Combined with צֶֽמֶד (tze.med) for "pair," these terms specify the exact quantity of earth Naaman asks for.
The thread — The request for earth to worship the LORD echoes the altar command in Exodus 20:24 and the turning from darkness to light in Acts 26:18. Naaman’s earlier comparison of Damascus rivers to Israel’s waters in 2 Kings 5:12 contrasts with his new insistence on using this specific soil for worship.
Why it lands — The text records Naaman’s declaration that he will no longer offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any god but the LORD. It requires readers to define the physical or spiritual ground where they will commit to exclusive worship and reject syncretism.
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
And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord.
Cross-references
- Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
- Exodus 20:24 You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.
- 2 Kings 5:12 Are not the Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not have washed in them and been cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
- Romans 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
- 1 Peter 4:3 For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God