In brief
Naaman is the commander of the army of the king of Syria, in the time of the prophet Elisha, in the ninth century BC. This strong and valiant man has leprosy. On the word of a young Israelite captive, he goes to Israel and dips himself seven times in the Jordan. He is healed and acknowledges that there is no God except in Israel. Jesus cites his example in the synagogue at Nazareth.
What does the name Naaman mean?
The name Naaman is generally linked to a Hebrew word meaning "pleasant" or "lovely". The Bible gives no explanation of this name, so this meaning remains tentative.
The story of Naaman
A leprous general
2 Kings 5:1-3Naaman enjoys the favor of his master and great esteem, because through him the Lord had given victory to the Syrians. But this valiant man has leprosy. A little Israelite girl, taken captive and serving his wife, says that a prophet in Samaria could heal him.
The journey to Samaria
2 Kings 5:4-8The king of Syria sends Naaman with a letter, silver, gold and clothing. The king of Israel tears his clothes, thinking it is a trap. Elisha, the man of God, hears of the situation and sends word that Naaman should be sent to him.
Anger and the Jordan
2 Kings 5:9-14Elisha does not come out and sends word that Naaman should wash seven times in the Jordan. Naaman is furious and prefers the rivers of Damascus. His servants persuade him to obey something so simple. He dips himself seven times, and his flesh becomes like that of a young child.
A confession of faith
2 Kings 5:15-19Naaman returns with all his company and acknowledges that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. Elisha refuses any gift. Naaman asks for earth from Israel and says he will no longer offer sacrifices to any god but the Lord.
Gehazi's greed
2 Kings 5:20-27Gehazi, Elisha's servant, runs after Naaman and secretly asks for silver and clothing in his master's name. Elisha knows what happened. The leprosy of Naaman will cling to Gehazi and his descendants, and he leaves Elisha's presence leprous, white as snow.
What Naaman teaches us
- God uses a humble word, like that of the little servant girl, to set a miracle in motion.
- Rank, wealth and titles cannot buy God's grace, which is received in humility.
- Obeying a simple instruction can wound pride, but it is what opens the way to healing.
- God's grace reaches beyond the borders of Israel, as Jesus reminds us in Luke 4.
- Grace received cannot be traded: Gehazi paid dearly for his greed.
Key verses
The little captive says to her mistress: “I wish that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.” A single sentence, spoken by a child with no power, sets the whole story in motion.
Naaman's servants tell him: “if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn’t you have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean?’” They bring down his pride by showing that the simplicity of the instruction takes nothing from its power.
“Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” Healing follows obedience to the word of God.
Naaman proclaims: “I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.” A pagan foreigner confesses the God of Israel, a sign that grace is not reserved for a single people.
Sermons about Naaman
Frequently asked questions
Why did Naaman first refuse to wash in the Jordan?
Naaman expected Elisha to come out and perform a spectacular gesture. He was offended by a simple instruction and preferred the rivers of Damascus, which he thought better (2 Kings 5:11-12). His servants persuaded him to obey, and he was healed.
What does the name Naaman mean?
The name Naaman is generally linked to a Hebrew word meaning "pleasant" or "lovely". The Bible gives no explanation, so this meaning remains a cautious hypothesis. What matters in the story is above all his healing and his confession of faith.
Where can I find the story of Naaman in the Bible?
It is found in the second book of Kings, chapter 5. Jesus also alludes to it in the gospel of Luke, chapter 4, verse 27, when he recalls that among the many lepers in Israel, only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed.