Log inSign up

2 Kings 5 · a question people ask

Why did Naaman want two mules' load of earth?

In the text

He asks, "please let two mules’ load of earth be given to your servant" (5:17), and gives his reason in the same breath: "for your servant will from now on offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to the LORD" (5:17). The chapter ties the earth to his offerings to the LORD with that for, and says nothing more: not what he did with it, and not what he thought it would do. Two verses earlier he had said, "there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" (5:15). In Hebrew those are two different words: erets in 5:15, and in 5:17 adamah, which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "ground, land". So the English earth in both verses isn't one word in the Hebrew, and these notes don't make a link of it.

The verses

“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 · World English Bible
“Naaman said, “If not, then, please let two mules’ load 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 the LORD.”
2 Kings 5:17 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Kings 5

2 Kings 5: Wash, and be clean

Naaman's story runs from "a little girl" (5:2) to flesh "like the flesh of a little child" (5:14): in Hebrew, one noun, feminine then masculine. A king of Israel sent to Ekron as if there were "no God in Israel" (1:3); a Syrian commander says, "there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel" (5:15). And Jesus names him: "not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian" (Luke 4:27).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week2 Kings 5 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 2 Kings 5

All questions about 2 Kings →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions