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Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 5 - Verse 27

5:27
The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

Meaning

This verse from 2 Kings 5:27 speaks of the consequences of the actions of Naaman, a commander of the Syrian army who was healed of leprosy by the prophet Elisha. Naaman wanted to show his gratitude by giving gifts to Elisha, but the prophet refused. Instead, Elisha's servant Gehazi pursued Naaman and lied to him, claiming that Elisha had a change of heart and wanted the gifts after all. As a result of Gehazi's deceit, Elisha pronounced a curse upon him, saying that Naaman's leprosy would cling to Gehazi and his descendants forever. The verse concludes with Gehazi leaving Elisha's presence as a leper as white as snow, bearing the consequences of his greed and dishonesty.

Theological Overview

One possible theological interpretation of the verse "The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed forever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow," is that it highlights the consequences of disobedience and pride. In this passage from the Bible, Naaman, a Syrian army commander, is cured of his leprosy by following the instructions of the prophet Elisha. However, Gehazi, Elisha's servant, becomes greedy and lies to Naaman to obtain gifts. As a result, Gehazi is cursed with Naaman's leprosy, symbolizing the idea that deceitfulness and greed can lead to spiritual corruption. The phrase "white as snow" conveys the severity and purity of the punishment, as leprosy was considered highly contagious and a sign of divine judgment. This verse serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of humility, honesty, and obedience in navigating one's faith and relationship with God.

American Standard Version

The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper [as white] as snow.
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