Naaman

The life of Naaman

The commander of the army of Aram (Syria), a great and honoured man who had leprosy. At the word of the prophet Elisha he washed seven times in the Jordan and was healed, and he came to worship the God of Israel.

Born

An Aramean (Syrian), commander of the army of the king of Aram Scripture2 Kings 5:1

1. A young Israelite girl, taken captive and serving his wife, says the prophet in Samaria could heal him.

   Scripture2 Kings 5:2–3

2. The king of Israel, reading the letter from Aram, tears his clothes; Elisha sends for Naaman.

   Scripture2 Kings 5:5–8

3. Elisha sends word: wash in the Jordan seven times. Naaman goes away angry.

   Scripture2 Kings 5:10–12

4. His servants persuade him; he washes, and his flesh becomes like a little child’s.

   Scripture2 Kings 5:13–14

5. He says, “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.”

   Scripture2 Kings 5:15

6. Elisha refuses his gifts; Elisha’s servant Gehazi secretly takes them and is struck with Naaman’s leprosy.

   Scripture2 Kings 5:16, 20–27

7. Jesus in Nazareth recalls that of many lepers in Israel, only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed.

   ScriptureLuke 4:27

Sources: The Holy Bible (World English Bible).

Drafted from the Bible and Church tradition. Each line says where it comes from; anything marked Tradition or History is not in Scripture itself. Waiting for review by a priest or editor.

Sundays with Naaman

1. 14 February 2027

   Lepers’ Sunday

   Gospel: Luke 5:12–16; 4:40–41

   Commander of the Syrian army, healed of leprosy in the Jordan (2 Kings 5).

Also in these readings

• The leper1 Sunday