Old Testament · character
Naaman
The Aramean general cleansed of leprosy through humble obedience.
Naaman was a great general of Aram (Syria) who suffered from leprosy. Listening to a young Israelite girl and obeying the word of the prophet Elisha, he washed in the Jordan, was made clean, and confessed the God of Israel as the only true God.
The Word of a Little One
A young Israelite girl serving in Naaman's house told him, "If you went to the prophet in Samaria, he would heal you." A single word from the most powerless person became the doorway that led a great general to God (2 Kings 5).
Obedience and Cleansing
The command to "wash seven times in the Jordan" seemed too simple, and Naaman grew angry — but at his servants' urging he humbly obeyed. After the seventh dip his skin was restored like a little child's, and he confessed that there is no true God except in Israel.
Related verses
- 2 Kings 5:14He dipped in the Jordan seven times, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
- 2 Kings 5:15"Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel."