2 Kings 5:18

16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.

17 “If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry. For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD.

Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”

19 “Go in peace,” said Elisha. But after Naaman had traveled a short distance,

20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”
KJV
In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.
WEB
In this thing may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon. When I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may the LORD pardon your servant in this thing.”
ASV
In this thing Jehovah pardon thy servant: when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon thy servant in this thing.
DARBY
In this thing Jehovah pardon thy servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to bow down there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon thy servant, I pray thee, in this thing.
BLB
In this thing may YHWH pardon your servant, when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon. In my bowing myself in the temple of Rimmon, may YHWH please pardon your servant in this thing.”
ÅB
Men én ting tilgi Herren din tjener: Når min herre[^1] går inn Rimmons hus for å tilbe der, og han støtter seg til min hånd, og jeg kaster meg ned der i Rimmons hus, så la Herren din tjener få tilgivelse for dette at jeg kaster meg ned i Rimmons hus!
OTB
I denne saken må Herren tilgi din tjener: når min herre går inn i huset til Rimmon for å tilbe der, og han støtter seg på min hånd og jeg bøyer meg i huset til Rimmon— når jeg bøyer meg i huset til Rimmon, må Herren tilgi din tjener i denne saken.”
B1930
Men én ting tilgi Herren din tjener: Når min herre går inn Rimmons hus for å tilbede der, og han støtter sig til min hånd, og jeg kaster mig ned der i Rimmons hus, så la Herren din tjener få tilgivelse for dette at jeg kaster mig ned i Rimmons hus! / < kongen i Syria.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Kings 7:2

    But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 7:17

    Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 50:20

    In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, a search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for Judah’s sins, but they will not be found; for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 17:35

    For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 19:18

    Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

    Read in context
  • Exodus 20:5

    You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 30:18–19

    A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone

    Read in context