2 Kings 5:1

2 Kings 5:1-14. The cure of Naaman's leprosy (Not in Chronicles)

1. honourable An attempt is made by the LXX. to translate literally the Hebrew expression which is the same as in Isaiah 3:3. τεθαυμασμένος προσώπῳ, -admired in the eyes of". The idea is the passive of -an acceptor of persons". Hence -one accepted and acceptable".

because by him the Lord had given deliverance R.V. victory. That the Lord was the deliverer is the thought of the Jewish writer. The Syrians would have put the case differently. It is however a matter of interest to note that Jehovah was not regarded by the compiler of this narrative as exclusively the God of the Jews, nor the Gentiles thought to be beyond, or deprived of, His care. He helps them though they know Him not.

deliverance unto Syria That Naaman was the man -who drew a bow at a venture" and smote Ahab at Ramoth Gilead, and thus gained victory for Syria, is a conjecture of Jewish commentators for which there is not the smallest foundation. About this time the Assyrians invaded Syria and the countries round about, and it is not improbable that this was the war in which Naaman had gained his fame.

a mightyman in[R.V. of] valour The phrase occurs many times, and nowhere but here is the preposition -in" used, but always -of". The disease with which Naaman was afflicted must have been of a less malignant character than leprosy mostly is, otherwise he would have been physically incapable of soldierly duties.

a leper The laws of the Jews concerning the separation of lepers from the rest of the people are given in Leviticus 13:14, and are extremely stringent. Clearly in Syria there were no such regulations, for Naaman goes with the host to war, returns and lives at home with his wife and the household, and attends on the king when he goes to worship in the house of Rimmon.