Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!" And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous--as white as snow. Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!This phrase marks the culmination of Gehazi's deceit and greed. Naaman, a Syrian commander, had been healed of leprosy by following the prophet Elisha's instructions to wash in the Jordan River. Gehazi, Elisha's servant, pursued Naaman to deceitfully obtain gifts, directly disobeying Elisha's refusal of any reward. The punishment reflects the seriousness of Gehazi's actions, as leprosy was a feared and isolating disease in ancient Israel, often seen as a divine judgment. The phrase "cling to you and your descendants forever" indicates a generational curse, emphasizing the long-lasting consequences of sin. This echoes the biblical principle that the sins of the fathers can affect future generations, as seen in Exodus 20:5. And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—
The immediacy of Gehazi's punishment underscores the gravity of his sin. Leprosy in biblical times was not only a physical ailment but also a social and spiritual stigma, rendering the afflicted ceremonially unclean and excluded from the community (Leviticus 13-14). Gehazi's leprosy serves as a physical manifestation of his inner corruption and deceit. This moment also highlights the authority of Elisha as a prophet of God, whose words carry divine power and judgment. as white as snow.
The description "as white as snow" emphasizes the severity of Gehazi's condition. In biblical symbolism, whiteness often represents purity and holiness (Isaiah 1:18), but here it starkly contrasts with Gehazi's moral impurity. The phrase also vividly illustrates the transformation from health to disease, serving as a visual representation of Gehazi's spiritual state. This imagery is echoed in other biblical accounts, such as Miriam's leprosy in Numbers 12:10, reinforcing the idea that divine judgment can be both immediate and visible. Persons / Places / Events 1. NaamanA commander of the army of the king of Aram, who was healed of leprosy by following the prophet Elisha's instructions to wash in the Jordan River. 2. ElishaA prophet in Israel, successor to Elijah, who performed many miracles, including the healing of Naaman. 3. GehaziThe servant of Elisha who, driven by greed, deceitfully obtained gifts from Naaman and was consequently cursed with leprosy. 4. LeprosyA chronic infectious disease, often seen as a symbol of sin and impurity in biblical times, which Gehazi and his descendants were cursed with. 5. AramA region and kingdom in ancient Syria, often in conflict with Israel, where Naaman served as a military commander. Teaching Points The Consequences of GreedGehazi's account illustrates how greed can lead to severe consequences, not only affecting the individual but also their descendants. Integrity in ServiceAs servants of God, maintaining integrity and honesty is crucial. Gehazi's deceit contrasts with Elisha's integrity. The Danger of CovetousnessCoveting what others have can lead to sin and separation from God, as seen in Gehazi's punishment. Divine JusticeGod's justice is evident in the punishment of Gehazi, reminding us that God sees and judges our actions. Generational Impact of SinGehazi's leprosy affected his descendants, highlighting how our sins can have lasting effects on future generations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Gehazi's account in 2 Kings 5:27 illustrate the dangers of greed and covetousness, and how can we guard against these in our own lives? 2. In what ways does Gehazi's punishment reflect the biblical principle of divine justice, and how can this understanding influence our daily decisions? 3. How can we apply the lesson of integrity from Elisha's example in our own service to God and others? 4. What are some modern-day examples of how the love of money can lead to destructive consequences, and how can we apply 1 Timothy 6:10 to avoid these pitfalls? 5. How does the generational impact of Gehazi's sin challenge us to consider the long-term effects of our actions on our families and communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:17The commandment against coveting, which Gehazi violated by desiring Naaman's gifts. Luke 12:15Jesus warns against all kinds of greed, emphasizing that life does not consist in an abundance of possessions, paralleling Gehazi's downfall due to greed. 1 Timothy 6:10The love of money is described as a root of all kinds of evil, which is evident in Gehazi's actions and their consequences. Numbers 12:10Miriam's punishment with leprosy for speaking against Moses, showing leprosy as a divine judgment for sin. People Aram, Elisha, Gehazi, Naaman, SyriansPlaces Abana River, Damascus, Jordan River, Pharpar, Samaria, SyriaTopics Age, Cleave, Cling, Descendants, Disease, Elisha's, Fasten, Forever, Gehazi, Grip, Leper, Leprosy, Leprous, Naaman, Na'aman, Presence, Seed, Snow, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 5:27 4807 colours
4849 snow
4859 white
5297 disease
5390 leprosy
9210 judgment, God's 2 Kings 5:19-27 5413 money, attitudes 2 Kings 5:22-27 8776 lies 2 Kings 5:26-27 5182 skin Library Naaman's Wrath
'And Elisha sent a messenger unto Naaman, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11. But Naaman was wroth, and went away.'--2 KINGS v. 10,11. These two figures are significant of much beyond themselves. Elisha the prophet is the bearer of a divine cure. Naaman, the great Syrian noble, is stricken with the disease that throughout the Old Testament is treated as a parable of sin and death. He was the commander-in-chief of the army …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureNaaman's Imperfect Faith
'And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 16. But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused. 17. And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Mr. Evil-Questioning Tried and Executed
Just listen to what Evil Questioning said to Naaman, and what Naaman said as the result of it. If I understand my text aright, it means just this: "What virtue can there be in water? Why should I be told to go and wash at all? I have washed many times and it never cured my leprosy. This dry disease is not so readily got rid of; but supposing there is some medical influence in water, why must I wash in Jordan? It is but a mere ditch, why can I not go and wash in some of my own rivers? We have medicinal …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860 A Little Maid
BY THEODORE T. MUNGER [From "Lamps and Paths," by courtesy of Houghton, Mifflin & Co.] In old days we read of angels who came and took men by the hand, and led them away from the city of Destruction. We see no white-robed angels now; yet men are led away from threatening destruction: a hand is put into theirs, and they are gently guided toward a bright and calm land, so that they look no more backward; and the hand may be that of a little child.--GEORGE ELIOT As aromatic plants bestow No spicy fragrance …
Philip P. Wells—Bible Stories and Religious Classics Gehazi
BY REV. J. MORGAN GIBBON "The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow."--2 KINGS v. 27. Elisha and Gehazi were master and man. They were more. They were almost father and son. Elisha calls him "my heart," just as Paul calls Onesimus his heart. Yet they parted so.--"He went out from his presence a leper." The punishment was terrible. Was it deserved? Had the master a right to pass this sentence? …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Whether Christ's Genealogy is Suitably Traced by the Evangelists?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ's genealogy is not suitably traced by the Evangelists. For it is written (Is. 53:8): "Who shall declare His generation?" Therefore Christ's genealogy should not have been set down. Objection 2: Further, one man cannot possibly have two fathers. But Matthew says that "Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary": whereas Luke says that Joseph was the son of Heli. Therefore they contradict one another. Objection 3: Further, there seem to be divergencies between them …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Christ was Baptized at a Fitting Time?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ was baptized at an unfitting time. For Christ was baptized in order that He might lead others to baptism by His example. But it is commendable that the faithful of Christ should be baptized, not merely before their thirtieth year, but even in infancy. Therefore it seems that Christ should not have been baptized at the age of thirty. Objection 2: Further, we do not read that Christ taught or worked miracles before being baptized. But it would have been more profitable …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica "Let any Man Come. "
[7] "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."--John 7:37-38. THE text which heads this paper contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful; yet even a child can see that "one star differeth from another in glory" …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 5:27 NIV2 Kings 5:27 NLT2 Kings 5:27 ESV2 Kings 5:27 NASB2 Kings 5:27 KJV
2 Kings 5:27 Commentaries
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