Why was Naaman so angry at Elisha's instruction?

Naaman's anger stemmed primarily from wounded pride and unmet expectations. As a powerful general, he expected a grand, personal encounter with Elisha, perhaps involving a dramatic ritual or a public display of power. Instead, Elisha sent a mere messenger with a simple, seemingly undignified command to wash in the Jordan River. Naaman felt insulted by the prophet's apparent lack of respect for his status and disdained the muddy Jordan compared to the "better" rivers of Damascus (2 Kings 5:11-12). His pride prevented him from recognizing the divine authority behind the humble instruction.

What does "My father" signify in this context?

The servants' use of "My father" (Hebrew: *ʾābî*) is a term of deep respect, endearment, and deference. It's a humble yet powerful way for subordinates to address a superior, creating a familial or deeply trusted atmosphere. This respectful address was crucial in softening Naaman's rage and opening him to their counsel, allowing them to speak frankly and persuasively without immediately incurring his wrath. It demonstrated their loyalty and genuine concern for his well-being, paving the way for him to listen.

Is there a spiritual significance to washing seven times?

Yes, the number seven often carries symbolic significance in the Bible, representing completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. In this context, washing "seven times" emphasizes the need for complete and full obedience to God's specific command, rather than a casual or partial attempt. It underscores that the healing was not due to the inherent power of the water, but to the divine efficacy of the command when fully obeyed. It points to the thoroughness of the cleansing and the divine origin of the instruction that led to Naaman's complete restoration.

5:12 5:12

2 Kings 5:13

5:14 5:14

Bible Versions

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, [if] the prophet had bid thee [do some] great thing, wouldest thou not have done [it]? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

And his servants {H5650} came near {H5066}, and spake {H1696} unto him, and said {H559}, My father {H1}, if the prophet {H5030} had bid {H1696} thee do some great {H1419} thing {H1697}, wouldest thou not have done {H6213} it? how much rather then {H637}, when he saith {H559} to thee, Wash {H7364}, and be clean {H2891}?

But his servants approached him and said, "My father! If the prophet had asked you to do something really difficult, wouldn't you have done it? So, doesn't it make even more sense to do what he says, when it's only, 'Bathe, and be clean'?"

Naaman’s servants, however, approached him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’?”

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

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.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

2 Kings 6:21

And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite [them]? shall I smite [them]?
2 Kings 13:14

Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
Revelation 7:14

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
2 Kings 2:12

And Elisha saw [it], and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
Jeremiah 38:7

Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
Jeremiah 38:10

Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.
1 Peter 3:21

¶ The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

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