Who Was Naaman in the Bible? The Aramean Commander Healed of Leprosy

Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Aram (Syria) who had leprosy and was healed after washing seven times in the Jordan River at the word of the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:1, 5:14). He came to Israel because a young Israelite servant girl told his wife about the prophet in Samaria (2 Kings 5:2-3). After his healing, he declared that there is no God in all the world except in Israel (2 Kings 5:15). Jesus later mentioned him in a sermon at Nazareth (Luke 4:27).

His story is told in one chapter, 2 Kings 5, during the ministry of Elisha in the northern kingdom of Israel.

Quick Facts About Naaman

Fact	Details
Name meaning	Usually understood as "pleasant" or "pleasantness"
Testament	Old Testament (mentioned in the New Testament in Luke 4:27)
Key books	2 Kings 5; Luke 4:27
Time period	Ministry of Elisha, roughly the 9th century BC (traditional dating)
Nationality	Aramean (Syrian), from the region of Damascus (2 Kings 5:12)
Known for	Being healed of leprosy by dipping seven times in the Jordan

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Who Was Naaman in the Bible? A Great Man With Leprosy

The Bible introduces Naaman with a list of honors. He was commander of the army of the king of Aram, a great man in the sight of his master, and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram (2 Kings 5:1). He was a valiant soldier. The same verse ends with his problem: he had leprosy.

In Scripture, the word translated "leprosy" covers a range of skin diseases, as the laws in Leviticus 13 show. The text does not say whether Naaman's condition kept him from his duties, only that he wanted to be cured (2 Kings 5:3-6).

Aram was a neighboring kingdom with its capital at Damascus. Bands of raiders from Aram crossed into Israel, and on one raid they captured a young Israelite girl, who became a servant to Naaman's wife (2 Kings 5:2).

The Servant Girl's Witness

The captive girl told her mistress that if her master would see the prophet in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:3). The Bible does not give her name. Naaman reported her words to the king of Aram, who told him to go and sent a letter to the king of Israel (2 Kings 5:4-5).

Naaman took ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing (2 Kings 5:5). The letter asked the king of Israel to cure Naaman (2 Kings 5:6). Neither king is named in the chapter.

The king of Israel tore his robes. He asked whether he was God, able to kill and bring back to life, and concluded that the king of Aram was trying to pick a quarrel with him (2 Kings 5:7).

Elisha's Instructions

Elisha heard what had happened and sent word to the king: have the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel (2 Kings 5:8). Elisha had succeeded the prophet Elijah, who had called him while he was plowing with oxen (1 Kings 19:16, 19:19-21).

Naaman arrived with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house (2 Kings 5:9). Elisha did not come out. He sent a messenger to tell Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh would be restored (2 Kings 5:10).

Naaman's Anger and His Servants' Advice

Naaman went away angry. He had expected Elisha to come out, call on the name of the Lord, wave his hand over the spot, and cure him (2 Kings 5:11). He asked whether the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, were not better than all the waters of Israel, and he left in a rage (2 Kings 5:12).

His servants reasoned with him. They addressed him respectfully as their father and pointed out that if the prophet had told him to do some great thing, he would have done it. How much more should he obey when told simply to wash and be cleansed (2 Kings 5:13)?

Healed in the Jordan

Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as Elisha had said. His flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy (2 Kings 5:14).

The Jordan has a long history in Scripture. Israel crossed it on dry ground under Joshua (Joshua 3:14-17), and Elijah and Elisha crossed it after Elijah struck the water with his cloak (2 Kings 2:8). Centuries later, John the Baptist baptized people in the Jordan River (Mark 1:4-5).

Naaman's Confession

Naaman returned to Elisha with all his attendants. He stood before the prophet and said:

"Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel." (2 Kings 5:15)

He urged Elisha to accept a gift. Elisha refused, swearing by the Lord whom he served, and would not take anything even when Naaman pressed him (2 Kings 5:15-16).

Two Loads of Earth

Naaman then asked for as much earth as a pair of mules could carry. He said he would never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any god but the Lord (2 Kings 5:17). The text does not explain the purpose of the soil. It records the request alongside his vow to worship only the Lord.

The Temple of Rimmon

Naaman also asked forgiveness in advance for one thing. When his master went into the temple of Rimmon to bow down, leaning on Naaman's arm, Naaman would have to bow as well (2 Kings 5:18). Elisha answered, "Go in peace" (2 Kings 5:19). The text records Elisha's reply without further comment.

Gehazi's Greed

After Naaman had traveled some distance, Elisha's servant Gehazi decided his master had been too easy on the Aramean. He ran after Naaman to get something from him (2 Kings 5:19-20). Naaman got down from his chariot to meet him (2 Kings 5:21).

Gehazi claimed that Elisha had sent him to ask for a talent of silver and two sets of clothing for two young prophets. Naaman urged him to take two talents and sent servants to carry them (2 Kings 5:22-23). Gehazi hid the goods in the house and told Elisha he had not gone anywhere (2 Kings 5:24-25).

Elisha said his spirit had been with Gehazi when the man got down from his chariot. He declared that Naaman's leprosy would cling to Gehazi and his descendants forever, and Gehazi left with skin as white as snow (2 Kings 5:26-27). The same description is used of Miriam when she was struck with leprosy in the wilderness (Numbers 12:10).

Jesus Mentions Naaman

In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus said that no prophet is accepted in his hometown (Luke 4:16, 4:24). He gave two examples of God's prophets helping people outside Israel: Elijah being sent to a widow in Zarephath in Sidon, and Elisha and Naaman (Luke 4:25-27).

"And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian." (Luke 4:27)

The people in the synagogue were furious. They drove Jesus out of the town and took him to the brow of the hill to throw him off the cliff (Luke 4:28-30). Luke is the only Gospel writer who records this reference to Naaman.

Naaman is one of several people outside Israel in the Old Testament who acknowledged the God of Israel. Rahab of Jericho said the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below (Joshua 2:11), and Ruth the Moabite told Naomi that Naomi's God would be her God (Ruth 1:16).

Key Lessons From Naaman's Life

• God can use unnamed and overlooked people. A captive servant girl pointed Naaman to the prophet (2 Kings 5:2-3).
• Pride can stand in the way of obedience. Naaman nearly went home because the instructions were too simple (2 Kings 5:11-12).
• Healing came by doing what God said. He was cleansed after dipping seven times, as instructed (2 Kings 5:14).
• God's grace is not bought. Elisha refused payment, and Gehazi was judged for taking it (2 Kings 5:16, 5:26-27).
• God's mercy reached beyond Israel. Jesus pointed to Naaman as a foreigner who was cleansed (Luke 4:27).

Where Naaman Appears in the Bible

• 2 Kings 5:1-19: His leprosy, his journey to Israel, his healing, and his confession
• 2 Kings 5:20-27: Gehazi's deception and judgment
• Luke 4:27: Jesus names him in the synagogue at Nazareth

A different Naaman, a descendant of Benjamin, appears in the genealogies of Genesis 46:21 and Numbers 26:40. He is not the Aramean commander.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Naaman in the Bible?

Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Aram who had leprosy (2 Kings 5:1). He was healed after dipping seven times in the Jordan at the word of the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:14).

Why did Naaman have to wash seven times in the Jordan?

The Bible does not explain the reason. It records that Elisha gave the instruction and that Naaman was cleansed when he obeyed it (2 Kings 5:10, 5:14).

Who told Naaman about Elisha?

A young Israelite girl who had been taken captive by Aramean raiders and served Naaman's wife told her about the prophet in Samaria (2 Kings 5:2-3). The Bible does not record her name.

What happened to Gehazi?

Gehazi, Elisha's servant, ran after Naaman and took silver and clothing by lying (2 Kings 5:20-24). Elisha declared that Naaman's leprosy would cling to him, and he left with leprous skin (2 Kings 5:27).

Why did Jesus mention Naaman?

In Nazareth, Jesus said that among the many people with leprosy in Elisha's time, only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed (Luke 4:27). He used the example to show God's prophets ministering to people outside Israel.