2 Kings 5:26

26 And Elisha said, Whether mine heart was not present there, when the man turned again from his chariot into the meeting of thee? Now therefore thou hast taken silver, and thou hast taken clothes, (so) that thou (can) buy places of olives, and vineries, and sheep, and oxen, and servants, and handmaids;

2 Kings 5:26 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 5:26

And he said unto him, went not mine heart with thee?
&c.] Did my heart or knowledge go from me, that what thou hast done should be hid from me? so Ben Gersom and others; or my heart did not go with thee, it was contrary to my mind and will what thou didst; so Abendana; or rather, as the Targum, by a spirit of prophecy it was shown unto me I knew full well what thou wentest for, and hast done; and so Maimonides ^F25; was not I employed in my thoughts? or, did I not think that so it was as thou hast done? I did:

when the man turned again from chariot to meet thee?
meaning Naaman the Syrian:

is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments:
as Gehazi had now done:

and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep and oxen, and menservants,
and maidservants?
that is, to purchase those with the two talents of silver he had received, as he thought in his heart, or intended to do, as the Targum; or had given orders to purchase such for him to the persons to whom he had committed the care of them in the tower; this was not a proper time, when the honour of the prophet, and the credit of religion, and the good of this man, as a new proselyte, were in danger thereby.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 Moreh Nevochim, par. 1. c. 39.

2 Kings 5:26 In-Context

24 And when Gehazi had come (back) then in the eventide, he took it from the hand of them, and laid it up in the house; and he delivered the men, and they went forth. (And when Gehazi had come back in the evening, he took the bundles out of their hands, and laid them up in the house; and he let the men go, and they went away.)

25 And then Gehazi entered, and stood before his lord. And Elisha said, Gehazi, from whence comest thou? Which answered, Thy servant went not to any place.

26 And Elisha said, Whether mine heart was not present there, when the man turned again from his chariot into the meeting of thee? Now therefore thou hast taken silver, and thou hast taken clothes, (so) that thou (can) buy places of olives, and vineries, and sheep, and oxen, and servants, and handmaids;

27 but also the leprosy of Naaman shall cleave to thee, and to thy seed without end. And Gehazi went out from him leprous as snow. (but now Naaman's leprosy shall cleave to thee, and to thy descendants, forevermore. And so Gehazi went away from him leprous, as white as snow.)