2 Kings 5:10

10 Elisha sent a messenger to him. He said, "Wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River, and your skin will be healthy and clean."

2 Kings 5:10 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 5:10

And Elisha sent a messenger unto him
Or returned an answer by Naaman's messenger; he did not go out to him, choosing to be retired, as he commonly did; and being perhaps employed in prayer for the cure; and it may be also to show his contempt of or little regard he had to worldly grandeur and honour, as well as to mortify the pride of Naaman:

saying, go and wash in Jordan seven times;
so, according to the law of the cleansing the leper, he was to be sprinkled seven times, and on the seventh day his flesh was to be bathed or dipped all over in water, which is meant by washing here, ( Leviticus 14:7 Leviticus 14:9 )

and thy flesh shall come again to thee;
which was eaten and consumed by the disease on him:

and thou shalt be clean;
freed from this pollution, or filthy disease, with which he was defiled; for a leper was reckoned unclean, ( Leviticus 13:3 ) .

2 Kings 5:10 In-Context

8 But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a messenger to the king. He asked, "Why did you tear your clothes? Please let Naaman come to me and find out that there is a prophet in Israel."

9 Naaman came with his horses and chariot and stopped at the entrance to Elisha's home.

10 Elisha sent a messenger to him. He said, "Wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River, and your skin will be healthy and clean."

11 But Naaman became angry and left. He said, "I thought he would at least come out[of his house], stand somewhere, call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the[infected] place, and heal the skin disease.

12 The Abana and Pharpar Rivers in Damascus have better water than any of the rivers in Israel. Couldn't I wash in them and be clean?" So he turned around and left in anger.