For this thing Jehovah be propitious to thy servant, in the coming in of my lord into the house of Rimmon to bow himself there, and he was supported by my hand, and I bowed myself in the house of Rimmon; for my bowing myself in the house of Rimmon Jehovah be propitious, I pray thee, to thy servant in this thing.'2 Kings 5:18 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the BibleIn this thing the Lord pardon thy servant - It is useless to enter into the controversy concerning this verse. By no rule of right reasoning, nor by any legitimate mode of interpretation, can it be stated that Naaman is asking pardon for offenses which he may commit, or that he could ask or the prophet grant indulgence to bow himself in the temple of Rimmon, thus performing a decided act of homage, the very essence of that worship which immediately before he solemnly assured the prophet he would never practice. The original may legitimately be read, and ought to be read, in the past, and not in the future tense. "For this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, for that when my master Hath Gone into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he Hath Leaned upon mine hand, that I also Have Bowed myself in the house of Rimmon; for my worshipping in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing." This is the translation of Dr. Lightfoot, the most able Hebraist of his time in Christendom.
To admit the common interpretation is to admit, in effect, the doctrine of indulgences; and that we may do evil that good may come of it; that the end sanctifies the means; and that for political purposes we may do unlawful acts.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
and he leaneth This verse should probably, as many learned men have supposed, be read in the {past}, and not in the {future} tense: `In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master {went} into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he {leaned} on my hand, and I {worshipped} in the house of Rimmon; in that I have {worshipped} in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing.'
Rimmon is supposed by Selden to the same with {Elion}, a god of the Phoenicians, borrowed undoubtedly from the {Elyon} of the Hebrews, one of the names of God.
2 Kings 7:2,17 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven...
and I bow
2 Kings 17:35 With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, You shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them...
Exodus 20:5 You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous God...
1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.
the Lord pardon
2 Chronicles 30:18,19 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves...
Jeremiah 50:20 In those days, and in that time, said the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none...
2 Kings 5:18 Parallel Commentaries
Arm Bow Enters Forgive Forgiveness Goes Hand House Leans Lord's Master Matter Pardon Prostrate Rimmon Servant Temple WorshipArm Bow Enters Forgive Forgiveness Goes Hand House Leans Lord's Master Matter Pardon Prostrate Rimmon Servant Temple WorshipTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.2 Kings 5:18 Mobile Bible
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