2 Kings 5:18
New International Version
But may the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this.”

New Living Translation
However, may the LORD pardon me in this one thing: When my master the king goes into the temple of the god Rimmon to worship there and leans on my arm, may the LORD pardon me when I bow, too.”

English Standard Version
In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.”

Berean Standard Bible
Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”

King James Bible
In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

New King James Version
Yet in this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD please pardon your servant in this thing.”

New American Standard Bible
Regarding this matter may the LORD forgive your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow down in the house of Rimmon, when I bow down in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD please forgive your servant in this matter.”

NASB 1995
“In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.”

NASB 1977
“In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.”

Legacy Standard Bible
In this matter may Yahweh pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Yahweh pardon your servant in this matter.”

Amplified Bible
In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master [the king] goes into the house of [his god] Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow in the house of Rimmon, when I bow down in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant in this matter [of attending the king when he worships].”

Christian Standard Bible
However, in a particular matter may the LORD pardon your servant: When my master, the king of Aram, goes into the temple of Rimmon to bow in worship while he is leaning on my arm, and I have to bow in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, in a particular matter may the LORD pardon your servant: When my master, the king of Aram, goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship and I, as his right-hand man, bow in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.”

American Standard Version
In this thing Jehovah pardon thy servant: when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon thy servant in this thing.

Contemporary English Version
But I pray that the LORD will forgive me when I go into the temple of the god Rimmon and bow down there with the king of Syria."

English Revised Version
In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant; when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
May the LORD forgive me when my master goes to the temple of Rimmon to worship, leans on my arm, and I have to bow down in the temple of Rimmon. When I do this, may the LORD forgive me for this one thing."

Good News Translation
So I hope that the LORD will forgive me when I accompany my king to the temple of Rimmon, the god of Syria, and worship him. Surely the LORD will forgive me!"

International Standard Version
In this one area may the LORD pardon your servant: Whenever my master enters the temple of Rimmon to worship there, he will lean on my hand while I bow down in the temple of Rimmon. So may the LORD pardon your servant in this one area."

Majority Standard Bible
Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.?

NET Bible
May the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to worship, and he leans on my arm and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this."

New Heart English Bible
In this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant in this thing."

Webster's Bible Translation
In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

World English Bible
In this thing may Yahweh pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Yahweh pardon your servant in this thing.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For in this thing may YHWH be propitious to your 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, may YHWH now be propitious to your servant in this thing.”

Young's Literal Translation
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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For this word will Jehovah forgive to thy servant in the going of my lord to the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaning upon my hand, and I worshiped in the house of Rimmon: in my worshiping in the house of Rimmon now will Jehovah forgive to thy servant in this word?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But there is only this, for which thou shalt entreat the Lord for thy servant, when my master goeth into the temple of Remmon, to worship: and he leaneth upon my hand, if I bow down in the temple of Remmon, when he boweth down in the same place, that the Lord pardon me thy servant for this thing.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But there is still this matter, for which you will entreat the Lord on behalf of your servant: when my lord enters the temple of Rimmon, so that he may adore there, and he leans on my hand, if I will bow down in the temple of Rimmon, while he is adoring in the same place, that the Lord may ignore me, your servant, concerning this matter.”

New American Bible
But may the LORD forgive your servant this: when my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down there, as he leans upon my arm, I too must bow down in the temple of Rimmon. When I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD please forgive your servant this.”

New Revised Standard Version
But may the LORD pardon your servant on one count: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow down in the house of Rimmon, when I do bow down in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant on this one count.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
In this matter may the LORD forgive your servant, when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there; I am the king's aide and I worship also in the house of Rimmon; and when I worship in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And for this matter, let LORD JEHOVAH forgive your Servant when my Lord enters into the house of Ramun to worship there, and he leans on my hands, and I will bow down in the house of Ramun, and whenever I bow down in the house of Ramun, let LORD JEHOVAH forgive your servant for this matter!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant: when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I prostrate myself in the house of Rimmon, when I prostrate myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And l let the Lord be propitious to thy servant when my master goes into the house of Remman to worship there, and he shall lean on my hand, and I shall bow down in the house of Remman when he bows down in the house of Remman; even let the Lord, I pray, be merciful to thy servant in this matter.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gehazi's Greed and Leprosy
17“If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry. For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD. 18Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.” 19“Go in peace,” said Elisha. But after Naaman had traveled a short distance,…

Cross References
Exodus 20:3-5
You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Joshua 24:14-15
Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. / But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

1 Kings 18:21
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. / If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. / But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Acts 14:15
“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

Acts 17:22-23
Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. / For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.

Romans 14:5-6
One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. / He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6
So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.

1 Corinthians 10:19-21
Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

2 Corinthians 6:14-16
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Isaiah 44:15-20
It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. / He burns half of it in the fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. Indeed, he warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” / From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

In this thing the LORD pardon your servant, that when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this thing.

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, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof…

and I bow

2 Kings 17:35
With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

1 Kings 19:18
Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath 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, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one …

Jeremiah 50:20
In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

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2 Kings 5
1. Naaman, by the report of a captive maid, is sent to Samaria to be cured of leprosy
8. Elisha, sending him to Jordan cures him
15. He refusing Naaman's gifts grants him some of the earth
20. Gehazi, abusing his master's name unto Naaman, is smitten with leprosy














Yet may the LORD forgive your servant in this one matter
This phrase reveals Naaman's deep concern for maintaining his newfound faith in the God of Israel while navigating his duties in a pagan environment. The Hebrew word for "forgive" here is "סָלַח" (salach), which implies a divine pardon or absolution. Naaman's request for forgiveness underscores the tension between his role as a servant to the king of Aram and his personal commitment to the LORD. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's grace and mercy, even when His followers find themselves in compromising situations.

When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon
The "temple of Rimmon" refers to a place of worship dedicated to the Syrian god Rimmon, also known as Hadad, a storm and rain deity. Historically, this highlights the polytheistic practices prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures, contrasting sharply with the monotheistic worship of Yahweh. Naaman's predicament illustrates the challenge of living out one's faith in a context that does not honor the same God, a situation that many believers can relate to today.

to bow down and he leans on my arm
The act of bowing down in ancient cultures was a sign of reverence and submission. Naaman's description of his master leaning on his arm suggests a position of support and assistance, indicating his close proximity to the king during religious rituals. This phrase highlights the unavoidable participation in idolatrous practices due to his official duties, raising questions about the extent to which believers can engage with secular or non-Christian environments without compromising their faith.

and I must bow there also
Naaman's acknowledgment of his need to bow "also" indicates his awareness of the potential conflict between his public actions and private beliefs. The Hebrew word "חָוָה" (chavah) for "bow" can also mean to worship or prostrate oneself, emphasizing the gravity of the act. This part of the verse challenges believers to consider how they can remain faithful to God while fulfilling obligations that may not align with their convictions.

may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter
Repeating his plea for forgiveness, Naaman demonstrates humility and a desire for God's understanding and grace. The repetition of "forgive" underscores the sincerity of his request and his recognition of the LORD's authority over all aspects of life. This reflects a key tenet of conservative Christian theology: the importance of seeking God's forgiveness and guidance in all circumstances, trusting in His mercy and grace to navigate the complexities of life.

(18) In this thing.--Touching this thing (but in at the end of the verse). The LXX. and Syriac read, "and touching this thing," an improvement in the connection.

To worship.--To bow down (the same verb occurs thrice in the verse).

The house of Rimmon.--The Assyrian Rammanu (from ram?mu, "to thunder"). One of his epithets in the cuneiform is Ramimu, "the thunderer;" and another is Barqu (=Bariqu), "he who lightens." Rimmon was the god of the atmosphere, called in Accadian, AN. IM ("god of the air or wind"), figured on bas-reliefs and cylinders as armed with the thunderbolt. His name is prominent in the story of the Flood (e.g., it is said Rammanu irmum, "Rimmon thundered"); and one of his standing titles is Rahicu ("he who deluges"). The Assyrians identified Ramman with the Aramean and Edomite Hadad. (Comp. the name Hadad-rimmon, Zechariah 12:11; and Tabrimon, 1Kings 15:18.) A list of no fewer than forty-one titles of Rimmon has been found among the cuneiform tablets.

Leaneth on my hand.--A metaphor denoting the attendance on the king by his favourite grandee or principal adjutant. (Comp. 2Kings 7:2; 2Kings 7:17.) . . .

Verse 18. - In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant. Naaman is not prepared to be a martyr for his religion. On returning to Damascus, it will be among his civil duties to accompany his master to the national temples, and to prostrate himself before the images of the national deities. If he declines, if (like an early Christian) he will not enter "the house of devils," much less bow down before the graven image of a false god, it may cost him his life; it will certainly cost him his court favor. For such a sacrifice he is not prepared. Yet his conscience tells him that he will be acting wrongly. He therefore expresses a hope, or a prayer, that his fault, for a fault he feels that it will be, may be forgiven him - that Jehovah will not be "extreme to mark what is done amiss," but will excuse his outward conformity to his inward faith and zeal. That when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon. Riminon is probably derived from rum (רוּם), "to be high," and means "the exalted god," according to the gloss of He-sychins - Ράμας ὕψιστος θεός. It is wrongly connected with רִטּון, "a pomegranate," and should rather be compared with the Arabic Er Rhaman, "the Most High." The royal name, "Tab-Bitumen" (1 Kings 15:18), contains the root, as does also the local name (Zechariah 12:11), "Hadad-Rimmon." This last word gives rise to the suspicion that Hadad and Rimmon are merely two names of the same deity, who was called "Hadad" or "Hadar" as bright and glorious, "Rim-men" as lofty and exalted. To worship there, and he leaneth on my hand. Either Naaman's leprosy must have been recent, and he refers to the king's practice in former times, or there must have been far less horror of leprosy among the Syrians than there was among the Hebrews. And I bow myself in the house of Rimmon - before the image, or at any rate before the supposed presence of the god - when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing. The repetition of the clause indicates Naaman's anxiety on the subject.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Yet may the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

forgive
יִסְלַ֥ח (yis·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon

your servant
לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ (lə·‘aḇ·de·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

this
הַזֶּ֔ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

one thing:
לַדָּבָ֣ר (lad·dā·ḇār)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

When my master
אֲדֹנִ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

goes into
בְּב֣וֹא (bə·ḇō·w)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the temple
בֵית־ (ḇêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Rimmon
רִמּוֹן֩ (rim·mō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7417: A Syrian god

to worship
לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֨ת (lə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wōṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

there,
שָׁ֜מָּה (šām·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

and he
וְה֣וּא ׀ (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

leans
נִשְׁעָ֣ן (niš·‘ān)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8172: To lean, support oneself

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

my arm,
יָדִ֗י (yā·ḏî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

and I bow down
וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֙יתִי֙ (wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wê·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

in the temple
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Rimmon,
רִמֹּ֔ן (rim·mōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7417: A Syrian god

may the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

forgive
יִסְלַח־ (yis·laḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon

your servant
לְעַבְדְּךָ֖ (lə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

in this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

matter.?
בַּדָּבָ֥ר (bad·dā·ḇār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT History: 2 Kings 5:18 In this thing Yahweh pardon your servant: (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 5:17
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