Naaman Healed of Leprosy

Illustration of Naaman Healed of Leprosy
A proud Syrian general, leprous and desperate, was told to wash seven times in a muddy river. He almost walked away - but his servants convinced him to obey, and his flesh became like a child's.

Naaman, a respected Syrian military commander afflicted with leprosy, sought healing from the prophet Elisha after learning of him through an Israelite servant girl. Following Elisha's directive to dip himself seven times in the Jordan River, Naaman initially resisted due to pride but ultimately obeyed and was miraculously cleansed of his disease. This event underscores God's willingness to extend mercy to foreigners who humble themselves in faith, leading Naaman to recognize the sovereignty of the God of Israel. It also illustrates key biblical themes of obedience, humility, and the power of prophetic ministry beyond Israel's borders.

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Details

Category
Healing
Testament
Old Testament
Performed by
God through Elisha

Key Chapters

2 Kings 5 Naaman Healed of Leprosy 6 min read This story shows how humble obedience to God's simple instructions can bring hea...

Key Passages

Naaman Healed

2 Kings 5:10-14

This story shows how humble obedience to God's simple instructions can bring healing and transformation, even when pride resists.

A10nd Elisha sent a messenger unto him, 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, 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. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Explore Related

Characters 2

Elisha Elisha served as a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel during the ninth century BC, succeeding Elijahโ€ฆ Naaman Naaman served as commander of the Syrian army under King Ben-Hadad and was afflicted with leprosy, aโ€ฆ

Places 1

Jordan River The Jordan River marked the eastern boundary that the Israelites crossed under Joshua's leadership to enterโ€ฆ

Themes 3

Faith Without faith it is impossible to please God. From Abraham leaving everything for an unknown land to aโ€ฆ Mercy Mercy in the Bible is not weakness - it is the deliberate choice of the all-powerful to spare the guilty.โ€ฆ Hope Hope in the Bible is not wishful thinking - it is confident expectation anchored in the character of God.โ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Naaman was a powerful Syrian commander who had leprosy. He came expecting Elisha to perform a dramatic healing.

2

Elisha told him to wash seven times in the Jordan River. a simple, humbling command that offended Naaman at first.

3

After his servants convinced him, Naaman obeyed and was completely healed. His skin became like that of a little child.

4

The story highlights that God's healing often comes through humble obedience rather than impressive displays.