Bible Strands
2 Kings 5:3
She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — An Israelite captive girl speaks to her mistress, Naaman’s wife, immediately after being taken by Aramean raiding bands.
The words — אַחֲלֵי ('a.cha.Lei) translates literally as "would that," framing the girl’s proposal as a conditional wish for her master to seek a specific prophet.
The thread — The "would that" construction parallels Moses’ wish in Numbers 11:29 and Paul’s wish in Acts 26:29, while the leprosy context connects narratively to Luke 17:12.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to recognize how a captive’s practical suggestion bridges foreign military power and Israelite prophetic authority without embellishment.
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 she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
Cross-references
- Numbers 11:29 But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!”
- Luke 17:12 As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance
- Acts 26:29 “Short time or long,” Paul replied, “I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.”
- 2 Kings 5:8 Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
- Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
- 1 Corinthians 4:8 Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!
- Matthew 8:2 Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”