2 Kings 5:19

KJV

And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto him, Go {H3212} in peace {H7965}. So he departed {H3212} from him a little {H3530} way {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Elisha said to him, "Go in peace." Na'aman had gone only a short distance from him,

Berean Standard Bible

“Go in peace,” said Elisha. But after Naaman had traveled a short distance,

American Standard Version

And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 5:19 records the pivotal moment of Naaman's departure from the prophet Elisha, following his miraculous healing from leprosy and profound conversion to the God of Israel. Elisha's parting words, "Go in peace," are not merely a polite farewell but a profound blessing of wholeness and divine favor, signifying the spiritual transformation and new beginning for the Syrian general. Naaman's respectful and immediate departure sets the stage for the subsequent narrative, highlighting the integrity of Elisha and the genuine nature of Naaman's newfound faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the dramatic narrative of Naaman's healing, which began with his desperate search for a cure for leprosy and his initial prideful resistance to Elisha's simple command to wash in the Jordan River. After his miraculous cleansing in [2 Kings 5:14](/2_kings/5-14 "2 Kings 5:14 - Naaman's Healing"), Naaman returns to Elisha, overwhelmed with gratitude and a profound confession of faith: "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" ([2 Kings 5:15](/2_kings/5-15 "2 Kings 5:15 - Naaman's Confession")). Elisha's refusal of any payment underscores the gratuitous nature of God's grace. Naaman then makes two specific requests: two mule-loads of earth to build an altar to Yahweh in Syria and forgiveness for bowing in the house of Rimmon due to his official duties. Elisha's response in [2 Kings 5:19](/2_kings/5-19 "2 Kings 5:19 - Elisha's Blessing to Naaman") directly addresses these requests implicitly, granting Naaman a blessing of peace as he embarks on his new life of faith. This verse also serves as a crucial transition, immediately preceding Gehazi's covetous pursuit of Naaman, which stands in stark contrast to Elisha's integrity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Naaman was a high-ranking military commander of Aram (Syria), a powerful kingdom often at odds with Israel. Leprosy in the ancient Near East was a devastating and often incurable disease, rendering individuals ceremonially unclean and socially ostracized. Naaman's journey to Israel, guided by a young Israelite captive girl, highlights the surprising ways God works across national and social boundaries. The concept of "peace" (`shalom`) in Hebrew culture was far more comprehensive than merely the absence of conflict; it encompassed holistic well-being, prosperity, health, and spiritual completeness. For Elisha to send Naaman "in peace" was to invoke a divine blessing upon his entire being and future journey, acknowledging his transformation and new allegiance. Naaman's request for earth reflects a common ancient Near Eastern belief that deities were localized to their land, making it necessary to worship Yahweh on Israelite soil, even if symbolically. His concern about bowing in the house of Rimmon reveals the tension of maintaining a public role while embracing a new, exclusive faith, a challenge Elisha addresses with grace rather than strict legalism.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of [2 Kings 5](/2_kings/5 "2 Kings 5 - Naaman's Healing") is the **sovereignty and universal reach of Yahweh**, demonstrating that God's power and grace are not confined to Israel but extend even to a high-ranking Gentile enemy. This verse specifically emphasizes **divine transformation and new beginnings**, as Naaman's physical healing symbolizes a profound spiritual rebirth from a proud, leprous idolater to a humble, healed believer in the one true God. Elisha's blessing of "peace" underscores the theme of **holistic well-being** that accompanies genuine faith, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Furthermore, the narrative highlights the **contrast between human pride and divine humility**, as Naaman's initial arrogance gives way to obedient faith, leading to miraculous results. The integrity of Elisha, who refuses reward, also sets a standard for prophetic ministry, contrasting sharply with the subsequent actions of Gehazi, which underscore the theme of **greed versus grace**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Peace (Hebrew, _shalom'_):** The Hebrew word `שלום` (shalom) is profoundly significant. It means far more than the absence of conflict. It denotes completeness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, health, security, and harmony. When Elisha says "Go in peace," he is invoking a comprehensive blessing for Naaman's physical, emotional, and spiritual journey. It signifies God's favor and the state of holistic well-being that comes from a right relationship with Him, affirming Naaman's new spiritual standing.
* **Departed (Hebrew, _halak'_):** The verb `הלך` (halak), "to go" or "to walk," here "departed," simply describes Naaman's physical movement away from Elisha. However, in this context, it carries the weight of a new journey. Naaman is not just physically leaving; he is embarking on a new life path as a worshiper of Yahweh, carrying the divine peace and blessing with him. The phrase "a little way" (`כִּבְרַת־אֶרֶץ`) indicates a short distance, implying either a respectful pause before fully setting off or simply the immediate commencement of his journey, setting the scene for Gehazi's pursuit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto him, Go in peace.":** Elisha's response to Naaman's requests is remarkably concise and gracious. Rather than giving a direct theological treatise on bowing in the house of Rimmon or the necessity of Israelite soil for worship, Elisha offers a profound blessing. "Go in peace" (`לך לשלום`, _lech l'shalom_) is a common Hebrew farewell, but in this context, it carries immense spiritual weight. It signifies Elisha's acceptance of Naaman's sincerity, his trust in God's ongoing work in Naaman's life, and a comprehensive blessing for Naaman's physical and spiritual well-being as he returns to Aram. It implies divine approval and a release from the burdens of his past life and disease.
* **"So he departed from him a little way.":** This clause describes Naaman's immediate action following Elisha's blessing. The phrase "a little way" (literally "a kibrath of land," a small, undefined distance) suggests that Naaman did not linger but began his journey home promptly. This swift departure underscores his acceptance of Elisha's blessing and his readiness to embrace his transformed life. It also serves as a narrative bridge, creating the temporal and spatial gap necessary for Gehazi to pursue Naaman without Elisha's immediate knowledge, setting up the subsequent dramatic confrontation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several subtle but powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is evident in Naaman's physical departure, which symbolizes his spiritual departure from his former life of idolatry and disease into a new life of faith and wholeness. The "peace" Elisha bestows is not merely an emotional state but a symbol of the comprehensive well-being that God grants to those who turn to Him. There is also a degree of **Foreshadowing** in Naaman's departure "a little way," as this brief distance creates the immediate opportunity for Gehazi to act on his greed, setting the stage for the dramatic and contrasting events that follow in the chapter. The narrative also subtly uses **Contrast** by placing Elisha's selfless blessing immediately before Gehazi's selfish pursuit, highlighting the integrity of the true prophet against the corruption of his servant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's boundless grace and universal salvific intent, extending beyond the boundaries of Israel to embrace a Gentile military leader. Elisha's "Go in peace" is a testament to the comprehensive nature of God's peace, which encompasses physical healing, spiritual transformation, and holistic well-being. It affirms that true peace is found not in worldly power or rituals, but in a genuine encounter with the living God. Naaman's story anticipates the New Testament revelation that God's salvation is for all peoples, regardless of their background or nationality, and that faith, not lineage or ritual, is the pathway to divine favor.

* [Numbers 6:26](/numbers/6-26 "Numbers 6:26 - The Priestly Blessing of Peace")
* [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - God Keeps in Perfect Peace")
* [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elisha's simple yet profound blessing to Naaman, "Go in peace," offers a powerful model for how we should approach those who have genuinely encountered God's transformative power. It is a reminder that once God has worked a miracle of healing and conversion, our role is often to send them forth with blessing and trust in God's ongoing work, rather than imposing further burdens or conditions. For us, Naaman's story encourages us to embrace the comprehensive peace that God offers—a peace that addresses not just our spiritual state but our entire being. It challenges us to reflect on areas where we might still be clinging to old ways or seeking peace in worldly solutions, rather than fully trusting in the `shalom` that comes from God alone. Like Naaman, we are called to depart from our former lives and walk forward in the peace and newness of life that Christ provides, trusting Him to guide our steps even when the path ahead is uncertain or requires navigating complex social realities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "peace" (`shalom`) truly mean in your life, beyond the absence of conflict?**
* **How does Naaman's transformation from a proud general to a humble believer challenge your understanding of who God can save?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to "go in peace," trusting God's work rather than striving in your own strength?**
* **How can you extend a blessing of peace and wholeness to others who are embarking on a new spiritual journey?**

### FAQ
**Why did Elisha not explicitly tell Naaman what to do about bowing in the house of Rimmon?**

Answer: Elisha's response, "Go in peace," reflects profound pastoral wisdom and trust in God's ongoing work in Naaman's life. Rather than imposing a strict legalistic command that might have been impossible for Naaman to fulfill given his high-ranking public duties, Elisha chose to send him off with a blessing of `shalom`. This implies that Naaman's heart had genuinely turned to Yahweh, as evidenced by his confession in [2 Kings 5:15](/2_kings/5-15 "2 Kings 5:15 - Naaman's Confession") and his desire for Israelite earth to build an altar. Elisha understood that true faith is a journey, not a rigid set of rules, and that God would continue to guide Naaman's conscience. This approach highlights God's grace and patience, allowing Naaman to navigate his unique circumstances while maintaining his new allegiance to the one true God. It suggests that Elisha prioritized the sincerity of Naaman's new faith over immediate, perfect adherence to every detail of Israelite religious practice, trusting God to illuminate his path.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Naaman's healing and Elisha's blessing in [2 Kings 5:19](/2_kings/5-19 "2 Kings 5:19 - Elisha's Blessing to Naaman") beautifully foreshadows the comprehensive salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Naaman, a Gentile afflicted by a debilitating disease, finds healing and peace not through his own efforts or wealth, but through humble obedience to the word of God's prophet. Similarly, humanity, afflicted by the leprosy of sin, finds true cleansing and `shalom` not through works of the law or human merit, but through faith in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus, the ultimate Prophet and Physician, offers a peace that "transcends all understanding" ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")), a peace that reconciles us to God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith")) and brings wholeness to our broken lives. Naaman's status as a Gentile receiving God's grace points directly to the universal scope of the Gospel, where in Christ, "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")). Just as Naaman departed in peace, cleansed and transformed, so too do believers in Christ embark on a new journey, walking in the peace and newness of life provided by His atoning sacrifice and resurrection ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in 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.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 1:17

Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

Exodus 4:18

¶ And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which [are] in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.

Mark 5:34

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

John 16:12

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Luke 7:50

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

1 Samuel 25:35

So David received of her hand [that] which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.

1 Corinthians 3:2

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.