Naaman
maleDivided MonarchyMeaning: “Pleasantness”
A Syrian army commander, a leper, who humbled himself to wash seven times in the Jordan at Elisha’s word and was healed, confessing the God of Israel.
Biography
Naaman was the commander of the army of Syria (Aram) — "a great man… but he was a leper" (2 Kings 5:1). His healing is one of the great Old Testament stories of humility, grace, and faith crossing national lines.
A reluctant cure
At the word of a captive Israelite servant girl, Naaman sought out the prophet Elisha. Insulted when Elisha merely sent word to wash seven times in the Jordan, he turned away in a rage — until his servants reasoned with him. Humbling himself, he obeyed, "and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child" (2 Kings 5:14).
A new faith
Cleansed, Naaman returned to confess, "now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" (2 Kings 5:15). He refused Elisha's terms of payment and vowed to worship the LORD alone. Jesus later cited him as a sign that God's mercy reaches beyond Israel: "many lepers were in Israel… and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian" (Luke 4:27).
Life Timeline
Seeks out Elisha to be healed of leprosy
Healed after washing seven times in the Jordan
Confesses the God of Israel as the only God
On the Bible timeline
Naaman belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
- 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
Themes & lessons from Naaman
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Naaman appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
11 verses in 2 books2 Kings10 verses
2 Kings 5:1
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. with: Heb. before. honourable: or, gracious: Heb. lifted up, or, accepted in countenance. deliverance: or, victory
2 Kings 5:2
And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. waited: Heb. was before
2 Kings 5:6
And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.
2 Kings 5:9
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
2 Kings 5:11
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. I thought: Heb. I said. or, I said with my self, He will surely come out, etc. strike: Heb. move up and down
2 Kings 5:17
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 offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
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 5:23
And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
2 Kings 5:27
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.
Luke1 verse
Luke 4:27
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
Frequently asked about Naaman
Who was Naaman in the Bible?
A Syrian army commander, a leper, who humbled himself to wash seven times in the Jordan at Elisha’s word and was healed, confessing the God of Israel.
What does the name Naaman mean?
The name Naaman means “Pleasantness”.
What did Naaman do in the Bible?
Naaman served as commander of the syrian army.
Where does Naaman appear in the Bible?
Naaman is mentioned 11 times across 2 books: 2 Kings, Luke.
What can we learn from Naaman?
The story of Naaman touches on themes of naaman, readings, select, gehazi, covetousness — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Naaman's life.
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