Who was Naaman in the bible?

Naaman (Na’aman) is a biblical name borne by more than one person: an Israelite named in genealogical lists, and a Damascene (Syrian) military commander whose account is told in 2 Kings 5. The name is connected (by lexicon derivation) with “pleasantness.”

Naaman in Scripture

1) Naaman the Damascene (Syrian commander). The main narrative identifies Naaman as a leading officer under the king of Syria, yet afflicted with leprosy.

“Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.” (2 Kings 5:1)

The account begins with the setting of Syrian raids and the capture of an Israelite girl who served in Naaman’s household.

“The Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman’s wife.” (2 Kings 5:2)

Through this servant girl, hope is introduced: she speaks of a prophet in Samaria who could heal Naaman. Word of this reaches the Syrian court, and the king of Syria sends Naaman with a letter and valuable gifts to the king of Israel.

“The king of Syria said, ‘Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.’ He departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing.” (2 Kings 5:5)

“He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, ‘Now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.’” (2 Kings 5:6)

The king of Israel reacts with distress, but Elisha intervenes, calling for Naaman to come so that he may “know that there is a prophet in Israel.” Naaman then arrives with an impressive retinue.

“So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.” (2 Kings 5:9)

Instead of a personal audience, Elisha sends a messenger with a specific command and promise.

“Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.’” (2 Kings 5:10)

Naaman initially responds with anger and disappointment, revealing that he had expected a different kind of healing encounter and preferring the rivers of Damascus to Israel’s waters.

“But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, ‘Behold, I thought, “He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper.”’” (2 Kings 5:11)

“Aren’t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them, and be clean?” (2 Kings 5:12)

His servants reason with him: if he would have done “some great thing,” he should all the more do the simpler command. Naaman then obeys the instruction exactly.

“Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (2 Kings 5:14)

Afterward Naaman returns to Elisha and confesses a new conviction about God, offering a gift in gratitude. Elisha refuses to receive it, despite Naaman’s urging. Naaman then requests earth and makes a commitment regarding worship.

“He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, ‘See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.’” (2 Kings 5:15)

“Naaman said, ‘If not, then, please let two mules’ burden of earth be given to your servant; for your servant will from now on offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to Yahweh.” (2 Kings 5:17)

He also asks pardon regarding an action tied to accompanying his master into the house of Rimmon and bowing there, and Elisha dismisses him with peace.

“In this thing may Yahweh 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… may Yahweh pardon your servant in this thing.” (2 Kings 5:18)

“He said to him, ‘Go in peace.’ So he departed from him a little way.” (2 Kings 5:19)

The narrative then turns to Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who pursues Naaman to obtain gifts after Elisha had refused them. Gehazi frames his request as a need for visiting prophets. Naaman responds generously, increasing the amount and providing servants to carry it.

“But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take something from him.’” (2 Kings 5:20)

“So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him, and said, ‘Is all well?’” (2 Kings 5:21)

“Naaman said, ‘Be pleased to take two talents.’ He urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants; and they carried them before him.” (2 Kings 5:23)

Elisha confronts Gehazi for receiving gifts, and then pronounces judgment by reference to Naaman’s former disease.

“Therefore the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and to your offspring forever.” (2 Kings 5:27)

The chapter closes with Gehazi becoming visibly leprous.

“He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.” (2 Kings 5:27)

2) Naaman as an Israelite name in genealogies. Naaman also appears among the sons of Benjamin in Genesis.

“The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.” (Genesis 46:21)

In 1 Chronicles, Naaman is named in a list of descendants, and another verse describes captives and later descendants in connection with names that include Naaman.

“Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,” (1 Chronicles 8:4)

“Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who carried them captive; and he became the father of Uzza and Ahihud.” (1 Chronicles 8:7)

These passages show the name Naaman within Benjaminite genealogical material (Genesis 46:21) and within a Chronicler’s list (1 Chronicles 8:4, 8:7), distinct from the Damascene commander in 2 Kings 5, who is repeatedly identified as “Naaman the Syrian” (2 Kings 5:20).

Name and Meaning

The name is written in Hebrew script as נַעֲמָן, transliterated Na’aman, and pronounced nah-am-awn’. According to the lexicon derivation, it is the same as H5282 and is tied to a component word na’aman (נַעֲמָן) meaning “pleasantness” (with a plural used as a concrete sense). The lexicon identity gloss describes Naaman as the name of an Israelite and of a Damascene.

Closing Observation

Within 2 Kings 5, Naaman is presented as both highly honored—“a great man… and honorable” (2 Kings 5:1)—and deeply needy—“but he was a leper” (2 Kings 5:1); the narrative’s turning point comes when he follows the messenger’s simple directive to “wash in the Jordan seven times” (2 Kings 5:10) and afterward confesses, “I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Naaman mean?

Naaman is given as the name of an Israelite and of a Damascene.

How many times does Naaman appear in the Bible?

Naaman occurs 13 times.

Who was Naaman in the Bible?

Naaman is named as an Israelite in genealogical lists (e.g., Genesis 46:21; 1 Chronicles 8:4). He is also described as a Syrian connected with Elisha’s servant Gehazi (e.g., 2 Kings 5:20).

What happened when Naaman came to Elisha’s house?

“So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha” (2 Kings 5:9).

Explore Further

If you found this page about Naaman interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).