2 Kings 5:10

KJV

And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Elisha {H477} sent {H7971} a messenger {H4397} unto him, saying {H559}, Go {H1980} and wash {H7364} in Jordan {H3383} seven {H7651} times {H6471}, and thy flesh {H1320} shall come again {H7725} to thee, and thou shalt be clean {H2891}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Elisha sent a messenger to him, who said, "Go, and bathe in the Yarden seven times. Your skin will become as it was, and you will be clean."

Berean Standard Bible

Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.”

American Standard Version

And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This pivotal verse from [2 Kings 5](/2_kings/5 "2 Kings 5 - Naaman's Healing") outlines Elisha's surprising and seemingly simplistic instruction to Naaman, the esteemed Syrian general, for his miraculous healing from leprosy. It serves as the critical turning point in a narrative that profoundly illustrates God's unconventional methods, the necessity of humble obedience, and the universal reach of divine grace, setting the stage for Naaman's ultimate physical and spiritual transformation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [2 Kings 5:10](/2_kings/5-10 "2 Kings 5:10 - Elisha's Command to Naaman") stands at the narrative's climax, following Naaman's grand arrival at Elisha's house with a royal retinue and gifts, expecting an impressive, personal healing ceremony. The preceding verses detail Naaman's high status, his debilitating leprosy, and the pivotal role of a young Israelite servant girl who directs him to the prophet in Samaria. Elisha's refusal to meet Naaman directly, instead sending a messenger with this terse command, subverts Naaman's expectations of a dramatic display of power. This unexpected and seemingly demeaning instruction immediately provokes Naaman's indignant rage, as recorded in [2 Kings 5:11-12](/2_kings/5-11 "2 Kings 5:11-12 - Naaman's Indignation"), who felt insulted that he was not given a more honorable or impressive healing ritual, preferring the grander rivers of Damascus over the humble Jordan. The subsequent verses ([2 Kings 5:13-14](/2_kings/5-13 "2 Kings 5:13-14 - Naaman's Obedience and Healing")) then describe his servants' wise counsel, his eventual reluctant obedience, and the miraculous outcome.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Naaman was a powerful and esteemed military commander for Aram (Syria), a nation often at odds with Israel, making his healing by an Israelite prophet particularly significant. Leprosy (Hebrew: _tzara'at_) in ancient Israel was not merely a physical ailment but carried profound social and religious implications. Individuals afflicted were considered ceremonially unclean, isolated from the community, and unable to participate in worship. Healing from leprosy was considered akin to resurrection and required a priestly declaration of cleanness, as detailed in [Leviticus 13-14](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13-14 - Laws Concerning Leprosy"). Naaman's expectation of an elaborate, public ritual was consistent with the cultural norms of displaying power and honor among high-ranking officials. The Jordan River, while central to Israel's history (e.g., the crossing into the Promised Land in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River")), was not a grand or majestic river compared to the Abana and Pharpar of Damascus, further contributing to Naaman's initial disdain.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes within [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Simplicity vs. Human Expectation**, demonstrating that God's ways are often contrary to human wisdom and pride, choosing to work through humble and unconventional means rather than grand displays. Secondly, it underscores the critical theme of **Obedience and Humility**. Naaman's healing was contingent not on the inherent power of the Jordan's water, but on his willingness to humble himself and obey a command that seemed beneath his dignity and counter-intuitive. This tests the very nature of his faith. Thirdly, the narrative showcases **God's Sovereignty and Grace**, as He chooses to heal a Syrian gentile, an "enemy" of Israel, demonstrating His universal concern and ability to extend His grace beyond national or ethnic boundaries, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan. Finally, the instruction to wash "**seven times**" carries significant biblical weight, often signifying completeness, perfection, or divine fulfillment, emphasizing the totality of Naaman's required obedience and the divine timing for his miraculous restoration, as seen in [2 Kings 5:14](/2_kings/5-14 "2 Kings 5:14 - Naaman's Full Obedience and Healing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wash (Hebrew, _rachats'_):** This verb (רָחַץ) denotes a physical act of washing or bathing, but in a biblical context, especially concerning ritual purity, it often carries connotations of ceremonial cleansing. For someone afflicted with _tzara'at_ (often translated as leprosy), washing was not merely about hygiene but about purification, often a prerequisite for re-entry into the community and religious life. Elisha's command to "wash" implies not just a physical act but a submission to a prescribed ritual that God would honor.
* **Seven times (Hebrew, _sheva pe'amim'_):** The number seven (שֶׁבַע) is highly symbolic in biblical numerology, frequently representing completeness, perfection, divine fullness, or covenant. Examples include the seven days of creation, the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, or the seven spirits of God. Here, it emphasizes that the healing was not instantaneous upon the first dip, but required a full, complete, and persistent act of obedience, testing Naaman's resolve and demonstrating God's sovereign timing and method.
* **Clean (Hebrew, _tahor'_):** The Hebrew word (טָהוֹר) signifies a state of ritual purity, distinct from mere physical cleanliness. For a leper, being declared _tahor_ meant not only healing from the disease itself but also a comprehensive restoration: physical health, social reintegration into family and community, and spiritual re-admittance to worship. This word underscores that Naaman's healing was holistic, addressing his physical affliction, his social ostracization, and his ceremonial impurity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying":** This opening phrase immediately establishes Elisha's deliberate distance and unconventional approach. Rather than performing a dramatic, personal healing ritual that Naaman might have expected from a great prophet, Elisha chooses to communicate through an intermediary. This act, seemingly dismissive to Naaman, serves to challenge the general's pride and expectations, forcing him to confront his own assumptions about how God works and how a man of his stature should be treated.
* **"Go and wash in Jordan seven times":** This is the core of Elisha's command—simple, specific, and seemingly illogical to Naaman. The instruction to "go" implies an active step of faith. The "Jordan" is a humble river, contrasting sharply with the "better" rivers of Damascus Naaman preferred, emphasizing the humility required. The "seven times" specifies the completeness of the required obedience, indicating that the miracle would manifest only after the full, prescribed action was completed, testing Naaman's persistence and faith.
* **"and thy flesh shall come again to thee":** This clause promises the physical restoration of Naaman's body. Leprosy caused deterioration of the flesh, so this promise speaks to a complete reversal of the disease's effects, restoring his skin to its original, healthy state. It is a direct, tangible promise of physical healing.
* **"and thou shalt be clean":** This final clause extends the promise beyond mere physical healing to encompass ritual and social purity. As discussed, "clean" (_tahor_) implies Naaman's re-admittance to society, his family, and, if he chose, to a relationship with the God of Israel, from whom his disease had separated him. It signifies a holistic restoration, addressing both the physical manifestation and the profound social and spiritual implications of his condition.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [2 Kings 5:10](/2_kings/5-10 "2 Kings 5:10 - Elisha's Command to Naaman") is rich with **irony** and **symbolism**. The primary irony lies in the stark contrast between Naaman's high status as a powerful general and his expectation of a grand healing ceremony versus Elisha's simple, almost dismissive, command delivered by a messenger. Naaman, expecting a dramatic display, is instead told to perform a mundane, humbling act. This serves to highlight God's preference for humble means over human showmanship. The **symbolism** of the Jordan River is also significant; it is not a majestic river but a humble, muddy one, representing the unglamorous path to divine healing and the necessity of setting aside pride. The number "seven" functions as a **symbol** of divine completeness and perfection, emphasizing that the healing was not arbitrary but occurred at God's appointed time and through Naaman's full, complete obedience. Furthermore, the entire episode functions as a **type** or **foreshadowing** of God's grace extended to Gentiles and the simple, faith-filled acts required for spiritual cleansing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command in [2 Kings 5:10](/2_kings/5-10 "2 Kings 5:10 - Elisha's Command to Naaman") powerfully illustrates that God's methods often defy human logic and expectation, prioritizing humble obedience over impressive displays of power. This narrative challenges our preconceived notions of how God should act, emphasizing that true faith is demonstrated by submission to His specific, sometimes counter-intuitive, instructions. Naaman's initial resistance and eventual compliance underscore the spiritual truth that pride is a significant barrier to receiving divine grace, while humility and simple, faith-filled obedience unlock God's blessings. The healing of a powerful Syrian general also highlights God's universal sovereignty, demonstrating His concern for all humanity, not just Israel, and His ability to work through unexpected channels.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "Obedience is Better than Sacrifice")
* [Luke 4:27](/luke/4-27 "Jesus Mentions Naaman")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Naaman and Elisha's command in [2 Kings 5:10](/2_kings/5-10 "2 Kings 5:10 - Elisha's Command to Naaman") offers profound lessons for believers today. We often approach God with our own expectations of how He should intervene in our lives, preferring grand, dramatic solutions to our problems. However, this passage calls us to trust God's wisdom, even when His instructions seem simple, inconvenient, or illogical from our human perspective. It challenges us to confront our pride, which can often hinder us from receiving God's blessings. Like Naaman, we may need to set aside our status, our perceived wisdom, or our desire for recognition, and simply submit to God's seemingly humble commands. True spiritual healing, growth, and breakthrough often come not through elaborate rituals or impressive displays, but through consistent, simple acts of faith and obedience to God's Word, demonstrating that the power lies not in the method itself, but in the God who commands it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jordan River" might God be asking you to step into, even if it seems beneath your dignity or contrary to your expectations?**
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself resisting God's simple commands, preferring a more "impressive" or "logical" solution?**
* **How does pride manifest in your spiritual walk, and what steps can you take to cultivate greater humility before God?**
* **Can you recall a time when God used a simple, unexpected method to bring about a profound change or blessing in your life?**

### FAQ

**Why did Elisha send a messenger instead of meeting Naaman directly?**

Answer: Elisha's decision to send a messenger rather than meet Naaman directly was a deliberate act designed to humble the proud Syrian general. Naaman, accustomed to deference and grand displays due to his high military rank, expected a personal, dramatic encounter where the prophet would wave his hand over the afflicted area, as detailed in [2 Kings 5:11](/2_kings/5-11 "2 Kings 5:11 - Naaman's Expectation"). By sending a servant, Elisha communicated that God's power was not dependent on human showmanship or the status of the recipient. It forced Naaman to confront his own pride and to understand that healing came through humble obedience to God's specific command, not through a performance tailored to his expectations. This act emphasized God's sovereignty and the simplicity of His ways.

**What is the significance of the Jordan River in this healing?**

Answer: The Jordan River's significance lies precisely in its lack of grandeur, especially when compared to the "better" rivers of Damascus, the Abana and Pharpar, which Naaman initially preferred ([2 Kings 5:12](/2_kings/5-12 "2 Kings 5:12 - Naaman's Preference for Damascus Rivers")). The Jordan was a relatively humble, often muddy river. God's choice of the Jordan emphasized that the healing power was not inherent in the water itself, but in the act of obedience to God's command. It served as a further test of Naaman's humility, requiring him to set aside his pride and immerse himself in a river he deemed inferior. Historically, the Jordan was also significant in Israel's narrative (e.g., the crossing into the Promised Land in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River")), subtly linking Naaman's cleansing to the land and God of Israel.

**Why did Naaman have to wash "seven times"?**

Answer: The instruction to wash "seven times" is deeply significant in biblical numerology, where the number seven often symbolizes completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. It was not merely an arbitrary number or a magical incantation. Instead, it underscored that the healing was not instantaneous upon the first dip, but required a full, complete, and persistent act of obedience on Naaman's part. It tested his patience, his resolve, and his willingness to fully submit to God's unconventional method. Naaman's healing only occurred after the seventh immersion ([2 Kings 5:14](/2_kings/5-14 "2 Kings 5:14 - Naaman's Full Obedience and Healing")), demonstrating that God's timing and method, though seemingly simple, are precise and require complete compliance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous cleansing of Naaman from leprosy, a disease that rendered one ceremonially unclean and socially ostracized, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the comprehensive spiritual cleansing available through Jesus Christ. Naaman's healing was not achieved through his own merit, status, or elaborate rituals, but through a simple, humble act of obedience to a seemingly illogical command from God's prophet. This mirrors the New Covenant truth that salvation and spiritual cleansing are not earned by works or human effort, but are freely given by God's grace through faith in Christ, as articulated in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace Through Faith"). Just as Naaman's flesh was restored, so too does Christ offer a complete regeneration, a washing away of sin that makes us truly "clean" in God's sight, as described in [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration") and the cleansing power of His blood in [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Blood"). Furthermore, God's willingness to heal a Syrian gentile, an outsider, powerfully prefigures the inclusion of all nations—Jew and Gentile—into the family of God through Christ, breaking down all barriers of ethnicity and status, a theme powerfully proclaimed in [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ"). Naaman's journey from prideful expectation to humble obedience and miraculous cleansing beautifully illustrates the path to redemption found ultimately and perfectly in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.