Naaman

Biblical Account

The story of Naaman appears in 2 Kings 5. He was the commander of the army of the king of Aram. Although he was a mighty warrior held in high regard by the king, he suffered from leprosy (2 Kings 5:1). The text records that the LORD had given victory to Aram through him.

A young girl taken captive from Israel served Naaman's wife. She said that the prophet in Samaria could cure his disease. The king of Aram sent a letter and gifts to the king of Israel, who regarded this as a pretext for a quarrel and tore his clothes. When Elisha heard of this, he summoned Naaman. Rather than coming out to meet him in person, Elisha sent a messenger telling him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman grew angry and turned away, asking whether the Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, were not better. At the urging of his servants, however, he did as he was told, and "his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean" (2 Kings 5:14).

Naaman returned and confessed that there is no God in all the earth but the God of Israel. Elisha refused the gifts he offered. Naaman then asked for as much earth as two mules could carry. He also asked to be pardoned for the times he would bow down when accompanying his king into the house of Rimmon, and Elisha replied, "Go in peace." Afterward, Elisha's servant Gehazi pursued Naaman and obtained silver and garments from him by deceit. As punishment, Gehazi was struck with Naaman's leprosy.

Significance Within Scripture

In this story, God's grace extends to someone outside Israel—indeed, to a commander of an enemy nation. In the New Testament, Jesus mentions this episode in the synagogue at Nazareth, saying, "And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian" (Luke 4:27). This saying is often cited as an example of God's grace extended to the Gentiles, and the congregation that heard it was filled with rage.

Interpretations and Debates

• Type of baptism: Some early Church Fathers read the washing in the Jordan as a type (a foreshadowing figure) of baptism. This interpretation is still sometimes cited today in explanations of baptism and immersion. The text itself, however, does not speak of baptism directly.
• Grace as a free gift: Elisha's refusal of the gifts and the punishment Gehazi received are often used to illustrate that salvation is a gift that cannot be purchased.
• The house of Rimmon: Interpreters differ on how to understand Elisha's "Go in peace." Some view it as a gracious permission granted in light of Naaman's circumstances; others hold that it was merely a farewell rather than an approval.
• Nature of the disease: Many scholars hold that the Hebrew word rendered "leprosy" in the New Korean Revised Version referred broadly to a range of skin diseases. On this view, it should not be assumed to be identical to what is now called Hansen's disease.
• Later traditions: Some Jewish traditions identify Naaman with the Aramean soldier who shot King Ahab (1 Kings 22:34). This identification is not found in the biblical text. Neither the name of the Israelite girl nor the later life of Naaman appears in Scripture.

In the Korean Church

The story of Naaman is frequently taught in Sunday school lessons and children's sermons. The unnamed servant girl who told her master about God's prophet is presented as a model of evangelism. Naaman's obedience in setting aside his pride and washing seven times is also a common theme. In sermons for adults, the emphasis typically falls on pride and obedience, Gehazi's greed, and grace extended to the Gentiles.