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2 Kings 5
New Catholic Bible
2 Kings 5
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 5
Cure of Naaman.[a] 1 There was a certain Naaman, who was the commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was an honorable man, highly esteemed by his master, because it was through him that the Lord had delivered Aram. He was a brave soldier, but he had leprosy.
2 Aramean raiders had gone out into the land of Israel and had taken a young girl captive who served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my lord would present himself to the prophet who is in Samaria. He would cure him of his leprosy.”
4 He went to his lord and said, “This is what the young girl from the land of Israel said.”
5 The king of Aram said, “Go! I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”
He went on his way, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing. 6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel which said, “With this letter I am sending you my servant Naaman so that you might cure him of his leprosy.”
7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, with the power to kill and give life, that he sends me a man to heal him of his leprosy? Think of it, see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.”
8 When Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me so that he might know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
9 So Naaman went with his horses and his chariot, and he stood at the door to Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go, wash seven times in the Jordan, and your skin will be restored, and you will be clean.”
11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “Behold, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord, his God, and wave his hand over the place and heal the leprosy. 12 Are not the Abana and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all of the rivers of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be made clean?”
So he turned away and left in a rage. 13 His servants approached him and spoke to him saying, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more should you do it when he said, ‘Wash and be made clean.’ ”
14 He went down and he bathed himself in the Jordan seven times as the man of God had instructed him to do. His skin became like the skin of a little child, and he was clean.
15 He and all of his attendants returned to the man of God. He came and he stood before him and said, “Behold, I now know that there is no God upon the earth except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 He answered, “As the Lord lives before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” Even though he urged him to take it, he refused.[b]
17 [c]Naaman said, “If not, then let your servant be given two donkey loads of dirt, for your servant will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god but the Lord. 18 Only may the Lord forgive me this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I also bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant this thing.”
19 He said to him, “Go in peace.” He left and traveled a little way. 20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared Naaman the Aramean by not accepting from his hands what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”
21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got off the chariot to greet him and he said, “Is all well?” 22 He answered, “All is well. My master sent me, saying, ‘Two young men from among the sons of the prophets have now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’ ”
23 Naaman said, “Please take two talents.” He urged it on him, and he bound up two talents of silver in two bags along with two changes of clothing. He entrusted it to two of his servants who carried it before him. 24 When he came to the tower, he took it from their hands and he placed it in the house. He then dismissed the men and they left.
25 He went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where are you coming from, Gehazi?” He answered, “Your servant has not gone anywhere.” 26 He said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got off of his chariot to meet you? Is this now the time to receive money, or clothing, or olive orchards, or vineyards, or sheep, or oxen, or menservants, or maidservants? 27 On account of this, Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and your descendants forever.” He went out from his presence, and he was a leper, as white as snow.
Footnotes
- 2 Kings 5:1 The story is highly instructive (see Lk 4:27). The episode of the bathing has been seen as prefigurative of baptism, the waters of which cleanse from sin. Naaman was probably suffering from a simple skin disease; otherwise he would have been kept apart as a leper.
- 2 Kings 5:16 Given the time and place, the prophet’s disinterestedness is admirable. He anticipates the command of Jesus to the apostles that they should not take pay for their ministry (Mt 10:8). Elijah’s action stands out even more clearly in contrast to his servant, who is so greedy that he is willing even to slander his master (vv. 20-21).
- 2 Kings 5:17 Rimmon or Hadad-rimmon was the principal divinity of Damascus (Zec 12:11). Naaman asks for a little earth from the land of the true God in order to make for himself a sacred place in which he may pray. He thereby becomes a model for converted pagans. But he is faced with a difficult matter of conscience and he asks that he not be forbidden outward participation in the false worship that is forced upon him. The prophet leaves the convert in his state of good faith, without expressly giving his approval.
2 Reyes 5
Palabra de Dios para Todos
2 Reyes 5
Palabra de Dios para Todos
Enfermedad de Naamán
5 Naamán, general del ejército del rey de Siria, era muy importante y valioso para su rey[a] porque el SEÑOR lo usó para darle victoria a Siria. Pero aunque Naamán era un hombre importante y poderoso, sufría de lepra.
2 En uno de los ataques que hacía el ejército de Siria contra Israel capturaron a una niña israelita. Ella pasó a ser sirvienta de la esposa de Naamán. 3 La niña le dijo a su dueña:
—Si tan sólo mi señor conociera el profeta que vive en Samaria, le podría quitar la lepra a Naamán.
4 Naamán se acercó a su rey y le habló de lo que le había dicho la israelita.
5 El rey de Siria le dijo:
—Ve ahora, que yo le mandaré una carta al rey de Israel.
Así que Naamán se fue a Israel. Llevó de regalo 30 000 monedas[b] de plata, 6000 monedas de oro y diez mudas de ropa. 6 Naamán llevó la carta del rey de Siria al rey de Israel. La carta decía: “Sirva la presente para hacerte saber que te mando a mi siervo Naamán para que lo cures de su lepra”.
7 Cuando el rey de Israel leyó la carta, rompió su vestido y dijo:
—¿Acaso soy Dios? No tengo poder sobre la vida y la muerte para que el rey de Siria me mande un hombre para que lo sane de lepra. Fíjense bien que lo que quiere es atacarme.
8 Eliseo, el hombre de Dios, escuchó que el rey de Israel había roto su vestido, así que le mandó este mensaje: «¿Por qué rompiste tu vestido? Que Naamán venga a mí y entonces sabrá que hay profeta en Israel».
9 Entonces Naamán fue con sus caballos y carruajes a donde vivía Eliseo y se quedó esperando fuera de la casa. 10 Eliseo le mandó un mensajero que le dijo: «Anda y lávate en el río Jordán siete veces y se te sanará la piel; quedarás puro y limpio».
11 Naamán se enojó y se fue, diciendo:
—Pensé que Eliseo saldría y se pararía delante de mí, pediría en el nombre del SEÑOR su Dios y luego pasaría la mano sobre mi cuerpo para sanar la lepra. 12 Los ríos de Damasco, el Abaná y el Farfar son mejores que toda el agua de Israel, ¿por qué no me puedo bañar en aquellos ríos de Damasco y limpiarme ahí?
Naamán se enojó mucho y dio media vuelta para irse.
13 Pero los siervos de Naamán fueron y le dijeron:
—Señor[c], si el profeta le hubiera dicho que hiciera algo muy difícil lo habría hecho, ¿no es cierto? Con más razón ahora que sólo le dijo: “Lávate y quedarás puro y limpio”.
14 Así que Naamán hizo lo que el hombre de Dios había dicho. Bajó y se lavó en el Jordán siete veces, ¡y quedó puro y limpio! Su piel se volvió tan suave como la de un bebé.
15 Naamán y su gente volvieron para ver al hombre de Dios. Se detuvo ante Eliseo y le dijo:
—Mira, ahora sé que no hay ningún otro Dios en el mundo, excepto en Israel. Acepta un regalo de mi parte, por favor.
16 Pero Eliseo le dijo:
—Te aseguro como que existe el SEÑOR, al cual yo sirvo, que yo no aceptaré ningún regalo.
Naamán trató de obligar a Eliseo a que aceptara el regalo, pero Eliseo lo rehusó. 17 Entonces Naamán dijo:
—Si no aceptas el regalo, entonces, al menos haz que se me dé tierra para llenar la carga de mis dos mulas,[d] porque nunca más ofreceré sacrificios que deben quemarse completamente ni ofrendas a ningún otro dios. Sólo ofreceré sacrificios al SEÑOR. 18 Ahora ora al SEÑOR para que me perdone esto: Cuando en el futuro mi señor, el rey, vaya al templo del dios Rimón para adorarlo, el rey querrá apoyarse en mí; así que tendré que arrodillarme en el templo de Rimón. Te ruego que le pidas al SEÑOR que me perdone cuando me toque hacer eso. 19 Entonces Eliseo le dijo a Naamán:
—Vete en paz.
Naamán se fue del lado de Eliseo y había recorrido una distancia no muy larga, 20 cuando Guiezi, el siervo de Eliseo, el hombre de Dios, se dijo: «Mi señor se despidió de Naamán el sirio sin aceptar el regalo que trajo. Tan seguro como que el SEÑOR existe, que iré tras él a ver qué consigo de él». 21 Entonces Guiezi corrió tras Naamán.
Naamán vio que alguien lo seguía. Se bajó del carruaje para encontrarse con Guiezi. Naamán le dijo:
—¿Está bien todo?
22 Guiezi le dijo:
—Sí, todo está bien. Mi amo me mandó a decirle esto: “Mira, dos jóvenes del grupo de profetas de la región montañosa de Efraín han venido a verme. Por favor, dales 3000 monedas[e] de plata y unas mudas de ropa”.
23 Naamán dijo:
—Por favor, toma 6000.
Naamán convenció a Guiezi de que se llevara la plata. Puso las 6000 monedas de plata en dos bolsas y le dio las mudas de ropa. Naamán les entregó todo esto a sus siervos para que lo llevaran delante de Guiezi. 24 Al pasar la cima del cerro, Guiezi les recibió todo a los siervos, los despidió y escondió todo en la casa.
25 Guiezi entró a hablar con su amo. Eliseo le dijo a Guiezi:
—¿A dónde fuiste, Guiezi?
Guiezi le contestó:
—A ninguna parte.
26 Eliseo le dijo a Guiezi:
—¡Mentira! En mi mente vi cuando el hombre se dio vuelta en su carruaje para verte. No es el momento de aceptar dinero, ropa, aceitunas, uvas, ovejas, ganado, ni hombres ni mujeres como siervos. 27 Ahora tú y tus hijos contraerán la enfermedad de Naamán. ¡Siempre tendrás la lepra!
Desde el momento que Guiezi salió de ahí, su piel quedó tan blanca como la nieve y quedó enfermo de lepra.
Footnotes
- 5:1 rey Textualmente señor.
- 5:5 30 000 monedas Textualmente diez talentos. Ver tabla de pesas y medidas.
- 5:13 Señor Textualmente Padre. Frecuentemente los siervos llamaban padre a sus amos, y los amos al referirse a sus siervos los llamaban hijos.
- 5:17 tierra […] dos mulas Naamán tal vez pensó que la tierra de Israel era santa, así que decidió llevar algo de tierra para adorar al Señor en su propio país.
- 5:22 3000 monedas Textualmente un talento. Ver tabla de pesas y medidas.
2 Kings 5
New International Version
2 Kings 5
New International Version
Naaman Healed of Leprosy
5 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram.(A) 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.[a](B)
2 Now bands of raiders(C) from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet(D) who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents[b] of silver, six thousand shekels[c] of gold and ten sets of clothing.(E) 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”
7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter,(F) he tore his robes and said, “Am I God?(G) Can I kill and bring back to life?(H) Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel(I) with me!”
8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet(J) in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash(K) yourself seven times(L) in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
11 But 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(M) over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters(N) of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.(O)
13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father,(P) 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’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times,(Q) as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored(R) and became clean like that of a young boy.(S)
15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God(T). He stood before him and said, “Now I know(U) that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift(V) from your servant.”
16 The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.(W)
17 “If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much earth(X) as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord. 18 But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning(Y) on my arm and I have to bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this.”
19 “Go in peace,”(Z) Elisha said.
After Naaman had traveled some distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord(AA) lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
21 So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. “Is everything all right?” he asked.
22 “Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered. “My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent[d] of silver and two sets of clothing.’”(AB)
23 “By all means, take two talents,” said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. 24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.
25 When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”
“Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.
26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time(AC) to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?(AD) 27 Naaman’s leprosy(AE) will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi(AF) went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.(AG)
Footnotes
- 2 Kings 5:1 The Hebrew for leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin; also in verses 3, 6, 7, 11 and 27.
- 2 Kings 5:5 That is, about 750 pounds or about 340 kilograms
- 2 Kings 5:5 That is, about 150 pounds or about 69 kilograms
- 2 Kings 5:22 That is, about 75 pounds or about 34 kilograms
Palabra de Dios para Todos (PDT)
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