Bible Strands
2 Kings 5:19
“Go in peace,” said Elisha. But after Naaman had traveled a short distance,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Elisha speaks to Naaman, granting his request and dismissing him. The narrative immediately records Naaman's departure, marking the exact moment before Gehazi acts.
The words — The Hebrew לֵךְ (lekh) and לְשָׁלוֹם (le-shalom) literally render "go" and "to peace," while וַיֵּלֶךְ (va-ye-lekh) and כִּבְרַת אָרֶץ (kiv-rat 'a-rets) state "he went" and "a distance of land." These terms record the immediate physical departure following the verbal dismissal.
The thread — The dismissal phrase "Go in peace" appears in 1 Samuel 1:17 when Eli releases Hannah, and in Mark 5:34 when Jesus heals the hemorrhaging woman. Exodus 4:18 similarly records a departure command when Moses leaves Jethro.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of the precise moment a prophetic blessing ends and human ambition begins. It requires the reader to note how immediate physical distance creates the space for Gehazi's deception.
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 he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 1:17 “Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.”
- Exodus 4:18 Then Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, “Please let me return to my brothers in Egypt to see if they are still alive.” “Go in peace,” Jethro replied.
- Mark 5:34 “Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.”
- Genesis 35:16 Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult.
- 1 Samuel 25:35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.”
- Matthew 9:16 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. For the patch will pull away from the garment, and a worse tear will result.
- Luke 7:50 And Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
- Luke 8:48 “Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
- John 16:12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.
- 1 Corinthians 3:2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,