2 Kings 5:14

KJV

Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then went he down {H3381}, and dipped {H2881} himself seven {H7651} times {H6471} in Jordan {H3383}, according to the saying {H1697} of the man {H376} of God {H430}: and his flesh {H1320} came again {H7725} like unto the flesh {H1320} of a little {H6996} child {H5288}, and he was clean {H2891}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Yarden, as the man of God had said to do; and his skin was restored and became like the skin of a child; and he became clean.

Berean Standard Bible

So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child, and he was clean.

American Standard Version

Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 5:14 marks the miraculous climax of Naaman's healing, a powerful Syrian commander afflicted with leprosy. This verse encapsulates the moment of his complete restoration, not through grand ritual or human intervention, but through humble, obedient submission to God's simple, seemingly illogical command to dip seven times in the Jordan River. His flesh was supernaturally transformed to the pure, unblemished state of a young child, signifying a profound physical and ritual cleansing that underscores the divine power and faithfulness of the God of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The narrative of Naaman's healing in [2 Kings 5](/2_kings/5 "2 Kings 5 - Naaman's Healing") unfolds as a dramatic demonstration of God's sovereignty and the power of His prophet, Elisha. The story begins with Naaman, a revered but leprous commander, seeking healing in Israel. His initial expectation for a grand, personal intervention from Elisha is shattered when the prophet merely sends a messenger with the instruction to wash seven times in the Jordan River ([2 Kings 5:10](/2_kings/5-10 "2 Kings 5:10 - Elisha's Instructions")). This perceived slight, coupled with Naaman's pride and preference for the "better" rivers of Damascus ([2 Kings 5:12](/2_kings/5-12 "2 Kings 5:12 - Naaman's Initial Reaction")), leads to a furious refusal. It is only through the wise counsel of his servants, who urge him to consider the simplicity and low cost of the command ([2 Kings 5:13](/2_kings/5-13 "2 Kings 5:13 - Servants' Counsel to Naaman")), that Naaman relents. Verse 14, therefore, is the pivotal moment of obedience that unlocks the promised miracle, serving as the narrative's resolution to Naaman's internal conflict and the external challenge of his disease.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Naaman was a high-ranking military commander of Aram (Syria), a powerful neighbor and often adversary of Israel. His leprosy, a highly stigmatized and debilitating disease in the ancient Near East, rendered him ritually unclean and socially isolated in Israelite society, though perhaps less so in Aram. The Jordan River, while significant in Israelite history (e.g., [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan")), was not considered a pristine or majestic river compared to the Abana and Pharpar of Damascus, which Naaman initially preferred. Elisha's instruction to dip in the Jordan, a muddy and unremarkable river, would have been deeply offensive to a man of Naaman's stature and cultural background, highlighting the clash between human pride and divine simplicity. Furthermore, leprosy in the Old Testament was often viewed as a physical manifestation of sin or divine judgment, and its cleansing required a priestly declaration of purity ([Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing Leprosy")), making Naaman's restoration a profound theological statement.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes within [2 Kings](/2_kings "2 Kings - The Reigns of Kings in Israel and Judah") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Obedience and Humility** are paramount; Naaman's healing was not a result of Elisha's physical touch or elaborate ritual, but solely his willingness to humble himself and obey God's simple, even demeaning, command. His initial pride nearly cost him the miracle, underscoring that God often works through unexpected and humble means ([1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")). Secondly, the theme of **Divine Power and Complete Healing** is evident in the instantaneous and total restoration of Naaman's flesh "like unto the flesh of a little child." This emphasizes that the healing was a supernatural act of God, not an inherent property of the Jordan's water, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over disease and His ability to restore fully, regardless of the severity of the condition. Finally, **Symbolic Cleansing and Restoration** is a significant theme. Leprosy rendered a person unclean, both physically and ritually. Naaman's restoration to being "clean" signifies a complete return to wholeness and acceptability, foreshadowing the broader biblical theme of God's desire to cleanse and restore humanity from the defilement of sin, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Though Your Sins Are Like Scarlet").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dipped (Hebrew, _ṭābal'_):** This verb signifies "to immerse," "to plunge," or "to dip." It is the same word used in the Old Testament for ritual cleansing, such as dipping a hyssop branch in blood for purification ([Leviticus 14:6](/leviticus/14-6 "Leviticus 14:6 - Ritual for Cleansing Leprosy")). Its use here emphasizes the ritualistic nature of the act, not as a magical incantation, but as an act of obedience within a prescribed divine framework, echoing the ceremonial washings required for purity in Israel.
* **Came again (Hebrew, _shuv'_):** This verb means "to return," "to turn back," or "to restore." In this context, it highlights the miraculous reversal of Naaman's condition. His flesh did not merely improve; it was completely restored to its original, unblemished state, even to the tenderness and purity associated with a young child. This emphasizes the completeness and supernatural quality of the healing.
* **Clean (Hebrew, _ṭāhôr'_):** This adjective denotes ritual purity, freedom from defilement, and a state of being morally or ceremonially unblemished. It is a crucial term in the Levitical laws concerning purity and impurity. For Naaman, being "clean" meant not just the absence of leprosy, but a comprehensive restoration to a state of wholeness, acceptability, and freedom from the social and religious stigma associated with his disease. It implies a return to full participation in society and, implicitly, a state of spiritual acceptance before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God:"** This clause details Naaman's act of humble obedience. "Went he down" implies a descent, both physically into the river and symbolically from his position of pride. The "seven times" is a number of completeness and divine perfection in biblical numerology, signifying that the full measure of obedience was required and that the work was divinely ordained and completed. The phrase "according to the saying of the man of God" is critical, explicitly linking the miraculous outcome to Naaman's adherence to Elisha's (and thus God's) precise instruction, rather than any inherent power of the water itself.
* **"and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child,"** This segment describes the immediate and profound result of Naaman's obedience. The transformation was not merely a healing of the leprosy, but a complete regeneration. "Like unto the flesh of a little child" emphasizes the purity, softness, and unblemished perfection of the new skin, highlighting the miraculous and comprehensive nature of God's restorative power. It signifies a fresh start, a new beginning, and a complete reversal of his previous diseased state.
* **"and he was clean."** This final, concise statement declares the ultimate outcome. As discussed in the Key Word Analysis, "clean" signifies not just physical health, but ritual purity and wholeness. This declaration confirms that Naaman was fully restored in every sense—physically, socially, and ritually—removing the stigma and isolation associated with leprosy. It is the divine pronouncement of his complete restoration.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the Jordan River representing not a source of inherent power, but a humble, divinely appointed medium through which God's power would flow. The act of dipping "seven times" is also highly symbolic, representing divine completeness and perfection, a recurring motif throughout Scripture. The **simile** "like unto the flesh of a little child" vividly conveys the absolute and miraculous nature of Naaman's restoration, emphasizing purity, tenderness, and a complete renewal beyond mere healing. This transformation also functions as a form of **hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the healing to underscore its supernatural origin. Furthermore, the entire narrative arc leading to this verse demonstrates **irony**, as Naaman, a powerful commander, must humble himself and perform a seemingly insignificant act in an "inferior" river to receive a miracle, contrasting sharply with his initial expectations of a grand, dramatic display.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Naaman's healing in [2 Kings 5:14](/2_kings/5-14 "2 Kings 5:14 - Naaman's Healing") serves as a profound theological statement about God's character and the nature of salvation. It underscores that God's power is not limited by human logic or expectation, often manifesting through humble means to confound the proud. The story highlights the critical importance of humble obedience as the conduit for divine blessing, demonstrating that true faith is active and submits to God's word, even when it seems foolish or beneath one's dignity. Naaman's complete restoration from a debilitating, unclean disease to the purity of a child's flesh powerfully foreshadows God's ultimate desire for humanity's spiritual cleansing and renewal. It reveals a God who is sovereign over all disease and defilement, capable of transforming the most desperate conditions into testimonies of His glorious power and grace.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Psalm 51:7](/psalm/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Cleanse Me with Hyssop")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Naaman's healing in [2 Kings 5:14](/2_kings/5-14 "2 Kings 5:14 - Naaman's Healing") offers timeless lessons for believers today, challenging our preconceived notions of how God should work and how we should respond. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of radical humility, recognizing that God's wisdom often defies human logic and that His methods are frequently simple, even undignified, from a worldly perspective. Naaman's initial pride almost cost him his miracle; similarly, our own pride, self-sufficiency, or insistence on understanding every detail can hinder us from receiving God's blessings. This narrative urges us to embrace simple, consistent obedience to God's Word, trusting that His instructions, however mundane or challenging they may seem, are the pathway to His desired outcome and complete transformation. It reminds us that genuine faith is demonstrated through action and submission, leading to a profound experience of God's restorative power in every area of our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I resisting a "simple" command from God because it seems illogical, beneath me, or contrary to my expectations?**
* **How does Naaman's journey from pride to humility challenge my own understanding of what it means to truly trust God?**
* **What does "clean" mean for me today, and how does Naaman's complete restoration encourage me in areas where I seek God's healing or renewal?**

### FAQ

**Why did Naaman have to dip exactly seven times?**

Answer: The number seven is highly symbolic in the Bible, frequently representing completeness, perfection, or divine fulfillment. It appears in creation (seven days of creation in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account")), in the Levitical laws of purification (e.g., [Leviticus 14](/leviticus/14 "Leviticus 14 - Laws for Cleansing Leprosy")), and in prophetic visions (e.g., the seven spirits of God in [Revelation 1:4](/revelation/1-4 "Revelation 1:4 - Greeting to the Seven Churches")). For Naaman, dipping seven times was not about the magical property of the number itself, but about a complete and obedient submission to God's specific, divinely ordained instruction. It demonstrated his full compliance and faith in the process prescribed by the "man of God," Elisha.

**Why was the Jordan River chosen, especially since Naaman preferred other rivers?**

Answer: The choice of the Jordan River was deliberately counter-intuitive for Naaman, highlighting God's power to work through humble and unexpected means. Naaman, a Syrian, initially disdained the Jordan, preferring the "better" rivers of Damascus ([2 Kings 5:12](/2_kings/5-12 "2 Kings 5:12 - Naaman's Initial Reaction")). The Jordan was not known for its purity or grandeur. This choice served to humble Naaman and to demonstrate that the healing came from God's power, not from the inherent quality of the water or the prestige of the location. It underscored that God's ways are higher than human ways ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8 - God's Thoughts Higher Than Ours")) and that He often chooses the weak and despised things of the world to shame the strong ([1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God chooses the weak")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Naaman's miraculous cleansing in [2 Kings 5:14](/2_kings/5-14 "2 Kings 5:14 - Naaman's Healing") serves as a profound Old Testament type pointing to the ultimate cleansing and new life found in Jesus Christ. Just as Naaman, a Gentile, was cleansed from a defiling disease by humble obedience to a simple command, so too are all humanity, both Jew and Gentile, cleansed from the defilement of sin through faith and obedience to Christ. Naaman's descent into the Jordan and emergence with "flesh like unto the flesh of a little child" powerfully prefigures Christian baptism, where believers symbolically die to their old, sinful selves and rise to new life in Christ ([Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3 "Romans 6:3 - Buried with Christ in Baptism")). The complete restoration of Naaman's flesh foreshadows the spiritual regeneration and new creation experienced by those in Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Ultimately, Naaman's healing, an act of God's grace through a prophet, points to the perfect and final sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing a cleansing far greater than any physical restoration, leading to eternal life and spiritual purity.

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.

Cross-References

Job 33:25

His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:

Luke 4:27

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

Luke 5:13

And he put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.

Zechariah 14:8

¶ And it shall be in that day, [that] living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Ezekiel 47:1

¶ Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house [stood toward] the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south [side] of the altar.

Ezekiel 47:9

And it shall come to pass, [that] every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

2 Kings 5:10

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.