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2 Kings 5:13

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 5:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
2 Kings 5:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
11But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Jehovah his God, and wave his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
12Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
13And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
14Then went he down, and dipped [himself] seven times in the 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.
15And 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 present of thy servant.
16But he said, As Jehovah liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And his servant came near, and spake unto him, and said, my father, etc.] Or my lord, as the Targum; this being not a familiar and affectionate expression, but a term of honour, reverence, and submission: if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? something that was hard and difficult to done, or painful to bear, to go through some severe operation, or disagreeable course of physic: how much rather then when he saith to thee, wash, and be clean? which is so easy to be done; though Abarbinel observes it may be interpreted, the prophet has bid thee do a great thing, and which is wonderful; for though he has said, wash and be clean, consider it a great…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“My father - Or, our father. So they call him, to shew their reverence and affection to him. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 5:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:13-14 Naaman swallowed his pride. He did as the man of God had instructed him and experienced God’s healing power. Obedience to God brings God’s blessings and purity (Ps 119:9-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“his servants: Kg2 5:3; Sa1 25:14-17; Kg1 20:23, Kg1 20:31; Job 32:8, Job 32:9; Jer 38:7-10 My father: Kg2 2:12, Kg2 6:21, Kg2 13:14; Gen 41:43; Mal 1:6; Mat 23:9; Co1 4:15 how much rather: Co1 1:21, Co1 1:27 Wash: Kg2 5:10; Psa 51:2, Psa 51:7; Isa 1:16; Joh 13:8; Act 22:16; Eph 5:26, Eph 5:27; Tit 3:5; Heb 10:22; Pe1 3:21; Rev 7:14 4 Kings (2 Kings) 5:14”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification