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Gehazi

maleDivided Monarchy

Meaning: “Valley of vision

The servant of Elisha who greedily took payment from the healed Naaman by deceit and was struck with Naaman’s leprosy.

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Biography

Gehazi was the personal servant of the prophet Elisha, present through many of his master's miracles — including the promise of a son to the Shunammite woman and the raising of that son from death (2 Kings 4).

Greed and its price

After Elisha healed the Syrian commander Naaman of leprosy and refused any payment, Gehazi secretly ran after Naaman and, lying in Elisha's name, obtained silver and garments for himself (2 Kings 5:20–24). When he returned, Elisha confronted him: "Is it a time to receive money...? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee" — and Gehazi went out "a leper as white as snow" (2 Kings 5:26–27).

A cautionary figure

Gehazi's story is a sober warning against covetousness and using God's work for personal gain. (He appears again, restored to service, recounting Elisha's deeds to the king in 2 Kings 8:4–5.)

Life Timeline

850 BC

Deceitfully takes payment from the healed Naaman

2 Kings 5:22
850 BC

Struck with Naaman’s leprosy for his greed

2 Kings 5:27

On the Bible timeline

Gehazi belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).

  1. c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
  2. 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
  3. 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem

Themes & lessons from Gehazi

Biblical themes that run through the passages where Gehazi appears.

Shunammite7×Gehazi5×Covetousness3×Judge2×King2×Land2×Naaman2×Dead, the1×Prophets1×Salutations1×Servants1×Swearing, Profane1×Syria1×Travellers1×

People they appear with

Elisha4×
Naaman2×

Places in their story

Mount Carmel1×

Scripture Appearances

12 verses in 1 book
2 Kings12 verses

2 Kings 4:12

And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.

2 Kings 4:14

And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.

2 Kings 4:25

So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:

2 Kings 4:27

And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. him: Heb. by his feet vexed: Heb. bitter

2 Kings 4:29

Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

2 Kings 4:31

And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. hearing: Heb. attention

2 Kings 4:36

And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.

2 Kings 5:20

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

2 Kings 5:21

So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? Is: Heb. Is there peace?

2 Kings 5:25

But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. no whither: Heb. not hither or thither

2 Kings 8:4

And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.

2 Kings 8:5

And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

Frequently asked about Gehazi

Who was Gehazi in the Bible?

The servant of Elisha who greedily took payment from the healed Naaman by deceit and was struck with Naaman’s leprosy.

What does the name Gehazi mean?

The name Gehazi means “Valley of vision”.

What did Gehazi do in the Bible?

Gehazi served as servant of elisha.

Where does Gehazi appear in the Bible?

Gehazi is mentioned 12 times across 1 book: 2 Kings.

What can we learn from Gehazi?

The story of Gehazi touches on themes of shunammite, gehazi, covetousness, judge — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Gehazi's life.

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