The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

Naaman

NA'AMAN (na'a-man; "pleasantness").

"The Syrian" was commander of the armies of Ben-hadad II (Josephus Ant. 8.15.5), king of Damascene Syria. He is described in (2 Ki 5:1) as "a great man with his master, and highly respected, . . . a valiant warrior."

He was, however, a leper; and when a captive Hebrew girl spoke of a prophet in Samaria who could cure her master of leprosy, Ben-hadad furnished him with a letter to King Joram. But when the king read the letter to the effect that Naaman had been sent to him to be cured, he tore his clothes, suspecting that the object was a quarrel.

Elisha the prophet, hearing of this, sent for Naaman, who came to his house, not being permitted as a leper to enter. Elisha sent a messenger to him saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you and you shall be clean." Naaman was indignant at the apparent incivility and would doubtless have returned to Syria without a cure but for the entreaties of his servants. He bathed in the Jordan and was cleansed of his leprosy.

Returning to Elisha, he acknowledged that Jehovah was above all gods, and he declared his intention of worshiping Him alone. (about 848 BC)