2 Kings 5:1

Elisha Heals a Syrian General

5:1 Now Naaman, the commander of the king of Syria’s army, was esteemed and respected by his master, ¹  for through him the Lord had given Syria military victories. But this great warrior had a skin disease. ² 

2 Kings 9:11

9:11 When Jehu rejoined ³  his master’s servants, they ⁴  asked him, “Is everything all right? ⁵  Why did this madman visit you?” He replied, “Ah, it’s not important. You know what kind of man he is and the kinds of things he says.” ⁶ 

2 Kings 19:4

19:4 Perhaps the Lord your God will hear all these things the chief adviser has spoken on behalf of his master, the king of Assyria, who sent him to taunt the living God. ⁷  When the Lord your God hears, perhaps he will punish him for the things he has said. ⁸  So pray for this remnant that remains.’” ⁹ 

¹ tn Heb “was a great man before his master and lifted up with respect to the face.”

² tn For a discussion of מְצֹרָע (mÿtsora’), traditionally translated “leprous,” see M. Cogan and H. Tadmor, II Kings (AB), 63. Naaman probably had a skin disorder of some type, not leprosy/Hansen’s disease.

³ tn Heb “went out to.”

⁴ tc The MT has the singular, “he said,” but many witnesses correctly read the plural.

⁵ tn Heb “Is there peace?”

⁶ tn Heb “He said, ‘You, you know the man and his thoughts.’” Jehu tries to deflect their question by reminding them that the man is an eccentric individual who says strange things. His reply suggests that the man said nothing of importance. The translation seeks to bring out the tone and intent of Jehu’s reply.

⁵ tn Heb “all the words of the chief adviser whom his master, the king of Assyria, sent to taunt the living God.”

⁶ tn Heb “and rebuke the words which the Lord your God hears.”

⁷ tn Heb “and lift up a prayer on behalf of the remnant that is found.”