Have you ever wondered who was Naaman in the Bible? He was a successful military commander from Syria (also called Aram) who had everything going for him—fame, position, wealth—but he suffered from a terrible skin disease called leprosy that no doctor could cure.

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His amazing story, found in 2 Kings 5, shows how God can work through unlikely people and unexpected circumstances. Through his encounter with the prophet Elisha, Naaman not only received physical healing but also spiritual transformation, teaching us valuable lessons about pride, faith, and God's power.

Who Was Naaman in the Bible?

Chapter 1: The Great Commander with a Problem

Naaman was one of the most important men in Syria, which was a powerful nation that often fought against Israel. The Bible introduces him this way: "Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy" (2 Kings 5:1).

I find it fascinating that the Bible says the Lord had given Naaman victory, even though he wasn't an Israelite! This reminds us that God works through all kinds of people, even those who don't yet know Him.

Naaman had everything a person could want in life. He was successful in his career as army commander. He was respected by the king and his countrymen. He was likely wealthy with a beautiful home and servants. But he had one serious problem that overshadowed everything else—leprosy.

In Bible times, leprosy was a devastating skin disease. It would start with small spots and gradually spread, causing terrible disfigurement. People with leprosy were often separated from society because others feared catching the disease. Even though Naaman's position protected him from being outcast, his leprosy must have caused him great suffering and shame. No doctor in Syria could cure him.

Chapter 2: Hope from an Unexpected Source

Help for Naaman's problem came from the most unlikely source—a young Israelite girl who had been captured during a Syrian raid on Israel. She had been taken from her family and homeland and made a slave in Naaman's household, serving his wife.

Instead of being bitter about her situation, this young girl showed remarkable compassion: "She said to her mistress, 'If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy'" (2 Kings 5:2-3).

What extraordinary faith this girl had! She believed that Elisha, God's prophet in Israel, could heal her master—an enemy commander who had led armies against her own people! And what remarkable kindness to care about the healing of someone whose armies had captured her.

Naaman was desperate enough to try anything. He went to his king and told him what the servant girl had said. The king of Syria wanted to help his valued commander, so he wrote a letter to the king of Israel and sent Naaman with expensive gifts: "ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing" (2 Kings 5:5). This was an enormous fortune—the silver alone would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars today!

Chapter 3: A Misunderstanding and a Simple Solution

When Naaman arrived in Israel with the letter, he went straight to the king's palace. But when the king of Israel read the letter saying, "I have sent Naaman my servant to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy" (2 Kings 5:6), he panicked! He tore his robes (a sign of great distress) and exclaimed, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy?" (2 Kings 5:7).

The king thought Syria was trying to pick a fight by asking for something impossible. But Elisha heard what had happened and sent a message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel" (2 Kings 5:8).

So Naaman, with his horses and chariots, arrived at the humble house of Elisha. But what happened next was not what Naaman expected at all! Elisha didn't even come out to meet this important visitor. Instead, he sent a messenger with simple instructions: "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed" (2 Kings 5:10).

No special ceremony. No impressive display of power. Just a command to wash in the muddy Jordan River seven times. Naaman was insulted! The Bible tells us: "Naaman went away angry and said, 'I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy'" (2 Kings 5:11).

His pride was hurt. He had expected special treatment because of his important position, but Elisha hadn't even come outside to meet him! And why should he wash in the Jordan when there were cleaner, better rivers back home? "Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" (2 Kings 5:12). So Naaman stormed off in a rage.

Chapter 4: Wise Servants and a Humble Choice

Sometimes we need friends to help us see when we're being foolish. Naaman was blessed with wise servants who reasoned with him: "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" (2 Kings 5:13).

Their logic was simple: if Elisha had asked Naaman to do something difficult or heroic, he would have done it eagerly. So why not try something easy, especially when he had traveled so far and had nothing to lose?

Naaman listened to his servants—another sign of his good character despite his initial pride. He went to the Jordan River, dipped himself seven times as Elisha had said, and something miraculous happened: "his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy" (2 Kings 5:14).

Imagine that moment! After years of suffering, watching his skin deteriorate, Naaman emerged from the water completely healed. His skin wasn't just improved—it was like that of a young boy, without a trace of the disease! This complete healing must have been overwhelming.

Chapter 5: A Changed Heart and a New Believer

Naaman's healing changed more than his skin—it transformed his heart and beliefs. He returned to Elisha's house, stood before him, and made this remarkable declaration: "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel" (2 Kings 5:15).

The commander of Syria's armies, a man who had worshipped pagan gods all his life, now recognized the one true God because of his miraculous healing! This was a complete spiritual transformation.

Out of gratitude, Naaman tried to give Elisha the gifts he had brought, but Elisha firmly refused: "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing" (2 Kings 5:16). Elisha wanted to make sure Naaman understood that God's healing couldn't be bought and that he, Elisha, was only God's servant, not someone seeking personal gain.

Before returning home, Naaman asked for two things: some Israelite soil (because he planned to worship only the Lord from now on) and forgiveness for when his official duties required him to accompany his king into the temple of the false god Rimmon. Elisha simply told him, "Go in peace" (2 Kings 5:19).

Naaman returned to Syria as a changed man—physically healed and spiritually transformed. His story shows us how God's power can reach beyond boundaries of nationality, social status, and even enemy lines to touch a heart in need.

What Can We Learn About Naaman?

1. Pride can block God's blessings - Naaman nearly missed his healing because he expected it to happen in a certain way. His initial pride made him unwilling to follow simple instructions. Often, God's solutions don't match our expectations, as Sundayschool.works points out.
2. God often works through unlikely people - A captive servant girl played a crucial role in Naaman's healing by sharing her faith. God can use anyone—regardless of age, status, or circumstance—to accomplish His purposes.
3. Simple obedience brings great rewards - Naaman received complete healing when he finally obeyed the simple instructions to wash in the Jordan. Sometimes the most powerful spiritual lessons come through basic acts of obedience.
4. Physical healing can lead to spiritual transformation - Naaman came seeking only physical healing but received something far greater—knowledge of the true God. His declaration "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel" shows a complete change in his spiritual understanding.
5. God cares for all nations - Though Naaman was a commander of an enemy army, God still provided healing for him. This reminds us that God's love and concern extend beyond any national boundaries, as highlighted by Truewaykids.com.

FAQ About Naaman

What disease did Naaman have in the Bible?

Naaman had leprosy, a term used in the Bible for various skin diseases. In 2 Kings 5:1, we read that despite being a "great man" and "valiant soldier," Naaman suffered from this condition. Biblical leprosy was considered not only a physical ailment but also made a person ceremonially unclean. While modern leprosy (Hansen's disease) causes nerve damage and skin lesions, the biblical term covered a broader range of skin conditions. Naaman's high position probably protected him from the social isolation typically experienced by lepers in ancient times.

Why did Naaman dip in the Jordan seven times?

Naaman dipped in the Jordan seven times because that was the specific instruction given by Elisha the prophet. Initially, Naaman was angry about this simple command, expecting a more dramatic healing ritual. After his servants reasoned with him, he humbled himself and followed Elisha's instructions exactly. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible. By requiring seven dips, God was perhaps testing Naaman's complete obedience. Only after the seventh dip was Naaman's skin restored "like that of a young boy" (2 Kings 5:14).

What happened to Gehazi after Naaman was healed?

After Naaman was healed, Elisha's servant Gehazi gave in to greed. When Elisha refused Naaman's gifts, Gehazi secretly ran after Naaman and falsely claimed Elisha wanted silver and clothing for visiting prophets. Naaman gladly gave these items, which Gehazi hid for himself. When Elisha confronted him, Gehazi lied again. As punishment, Elisha declared, "Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever" (2 Kings 5:27). Immediately, Gehazi was struck with leprosy, his skin becoming "as white as snow." His story serves as a warning about greed and dishonesty.

What country was Naaman from in the Bible?

Naaman was from Syria, which is called Aram in the Bible. He served as the commander of the Syrian army under the king of Aram (2 Kings 5:1). Syria and Israel were often enemies, making Naaman's story even more remarkable—God healed the military commander of a nation that frequently fought against His people. This demonstrates God's concern for all people, regardless of nationality. The fact that a captured Israelite girl was willing to help her master find healing also shows extraordinary grace in difficult circumstances.

Would you like to learn about another amazing healing in the Bible? Check out the story of "The Man at the Pool of Bethesda" to discover how Jesus healed a man who had been disabled for 38 years and was waiting for a miracle that seemed impossible!