Naaman
Gentile Syrian (Aramean) · Divided Kingdom · Old Testament
- Name means
- Pleasantness
- Role
- Syrian army captain healed of leprosy
- When
- 9th century BC (days of Elisha)
What they did
A great and honourable captain who was a leper. At the word of a captive Israelite maid he went to Elisha, washed seven times in the Jordan and was healed.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
He confessed 'there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel'. Jesus pointed to him to show God's grace to the Gentiles (Luke 4:27).
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 2 Kings 5:15 (KJV)
Bible references
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. 2 Kings 5:1 (KJV)
And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. 2 Kings 5:3 (KJV)
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. 2 Kings 5:14 (KJV)
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 2 Kings 5:15 (KJV)
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. Luke 4:27 (KJV)
Family
- Spouse(s)
- Unnamed wife
His wife's maid was a captive little maid from Israel (2 Kings 5:2).