2 Kings 5 Footnotes

5:1 “Aram” is modern Syria. “The LORD had given victory”: the author repeatedly emphasized that the Lord was the only God and that he controlled the fate of Israel and every nation (1Kg 19:15). This possibly referred to Aram’s victory over Israel at Ramoth-gilead (1Kg 22:29-36). The Hebrew word for Naaman’s “skin disease” includes a range of diseases besides leprosy (Hansen’s Disease). Whatever it was, it apparently was not advanced enough yet to interfere with his military exploits.

5:10 Seven days of quarantine were required for certain diseases (Lv 13–14), and perhaps washing seven times reflected that quarantine.