2 Kings 5:23 But Naaman insisted, "Please, take two talents." And he urged Gehazi to accept them. Then he tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi.

◄ 2 Kings 5:23 ►

New International Version
“By all means, take two talents,” said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi.

New Living Translation
“By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi.

English Standard Version
And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up 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 Gehazi.

Berean Standard Bible
But Naaman insisted, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged Gehazi to accept them. Then he tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi.

King James Bible
And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

New King James Version
So Naaman said, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him.

New American Standard Bible
Naaman said, “Be sure to take two talents.” And he urged him, and tied up two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes, and gave them to two of his servants; and they carried them before him.

NASB 1995
Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes and gave them to two of his servants; and they carried them before him.

NASB 1977
And Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes, and gave them to two of his servants; and they carried them before him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” And he urged him and bound two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes and gave them to two of his young men; and they carried them before him.

Amplified Bible
Naaman said, “Please take two talents.” And he urged him [to accept], and tied up two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes and gave them to two of his servants; and they carried them in front of Gehazi.

Christian Standard Bible
But Naaman insisted, “Please, accept one hundred fifty pounds.” He urged Gehazi and then packed one hundred fifty pounds of silver in two bags with two sets of clothing. Naaman gave them to two of his attendants who carried them ahead of Gehazi.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Naaman insisted, “Please, accept 150 pounds.” He urged Gehazi and then packed 150 pounds of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes. Naaman gave them to two of his young men who carried them ahead of Gehazi.

American Standard Version
And Naaman said, Be pleased to take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of raiment, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

Contemporary English Version
"Sure," Naaman replied. "But why don't you take twice that amount of silver?" He convinced Gehazi to take it all, then put the silver in two bags. He handed the bags and the clothes to his two servants, and they carried them for Gehazi.

English Revised Version
And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of raiment, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Naaman replied, "Please let me give you 150 pounds of silver." Naaman urged him [to take the silver]. Naaman tied up 150 pounds of silver in two bags with two sets of clothing. He gave them to a couple of his own servants to carry in front of Gehazi.

Good News Translation
"Please take six thousand pieces of silver," Naaman replied. He insisted on it, tied up the silver in two bags, gave them and two changes of fine clothes to two of his servants, and sent them on ahead of Gehazi.

International Standard Version
But Naaman said, "Please accept my invitation to take two talents of silver." He urged him, binding two talents of silver in two bags, along with two sets of clothes. He placed them in the care of two of his young men, and they went on ahead of Gehazi.

Majority Standard Bible
But Naaman insisted, ?Please, take two talents.? And he urged Gehazi to accept them. Then he tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi.

NET Bible
Naaman said, "Please accept two talents of silver. He insisted, and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, along with two suits of clothes. He gave them to two of his servants and they carried them for Gehazi.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bore them before him.

World English Bible
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.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Naaman says, “Be pleased, take two talents”; and he urges him, and binds two talents of silver in two purses, and two changes of garments, and gives [them] to two of his young men, and they carry [them] before him;

Young's Literal Translation
And Naaman saith, 'Be pleased, take two talents;' and he urgeth on him, and bindeth two talents of silver in two purses, and two changes of garments, and giveth unto two of his young men, and they bear before him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Naaman will say, Be content, take two talents And he will press upon him, and he Will bind two talents of silver in two bags, and two changes of garments, and he will give to his two boys, and they will lift up before him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Naaman said: It is better that thou take two talents. And he forced him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, and two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants, and they carried them before him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Naaman said, “It is better that you accept two talents.” And he urged him, and he bound the two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing. And he set them upon two of his servants, who carried them before him.

New American Bible
Naaman said, “I insist! Take two talents,” and he pressed him. He tied up two silver talents in bags and gave them, with two festal garments, to two of his servants, who carried them before Gehazi.

New Revised Standard Version
Naaman said, “Please accept two talents.” He urged him, and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them in front of Gehazi.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Naaman said, I am willing; take two talents. And he urged him and bound two talents of silver in two pieces of cloth, with two changes of garments, and he gave them to two of his servants; and they carried them before him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Naaman said: “I beg you, take two talents!” And he urged him, and he bound up two talents in two cloths and two pairs of garments. And he gave it to both his Servants, and they carried it before him.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Naaman said: 'Be content, take two talents.' And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of raiment, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bore them before him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Naiman said, Take two talents of silver. And he took two talents of silver in two bags, and two changes of raiment, and put them upon two of his servants, and they bore them before him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Gehazi's Greed and Leprosy
…22“Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘I have just now discovered that two young men from the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’ ” 23But Naaman insisted, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged Gehazi to accept them. Then he tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi. 24When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the gifts from the servants and stored them in the house. Then he dismissed the men, and they departed.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

Genesis 23:15-16
“Listen to me, my lord. The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” / Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants.

1 Samuel 9:7-8
“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.”

1 Kings 10:10
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

2 Chronicles 9:9
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

Genesis 24:53
Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother.

Exodus 12:35-36
Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.

1 Kings 5:10-11
So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted, / and year after year Solomon would provide Hiram with 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, as well as 20,000 baths of pure olive oil.

2 Chronicles 2:10
I will pay your servants, the woodcutters, 20,000 cors of ground wheat, 20,000 cors of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of olive oil.”

2 Kings 8:9
So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”

Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Acts 8:18-20
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. / “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” / But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

Acts 20:33-35
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. / You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. / In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

1 Corinthians 9:11-14
If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? / If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. / Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? ...

2 Corinthians 9:5-7
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly. / Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Treasury of Scripture

And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them on two of his servants; and they bore them before him.

Be content

1 Kings 20:7
Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not.

Luke 11:54
Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

And he urged him

2 Kings 5:16
But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

2 Kings 2:17
And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

bound

2 Kings 12:10
And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD.

and they bare

Isaiah 30:6
The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

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Bags Bare Bore Bound Changes Clothes Clothing Content Festal Garments Geha'zi Laid Naaman Na'aman Pleased Raiment Servants Silver Talents Urged

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Bags Bare Bore Bound Changes Clothes Clothing Content Festal Garments Geha'zi Laid Naaman Na'aman Pleased Raiment Servants Silver Talents Urged

2 Kings 5

1. Naaman, by the report of a captive maid, is sent to Samaria to be cured of leprosy
8. Elisha, sending him to Jordan cures him
15. He refusing Naaman's gifts grants him some of the earth
20. Gehazi, abusing his master's name unto Naaman, is smitten with leprosy

Berean Study Bible

But Naaman insisted
The word "insisted" here reflects Naaman's determination and generosity. In the Hebrew context, this insistence can be seen as a cultural expression of honor and gratitude. Naaman, a man of high status, is eager to show his appreciation for what he believes is a miraculous healing. This insistence also highlights the cultural norms of reciprocity and gift-giving in ancient Near Eastern societies.

Please, take two talents
The "two talents" refer to a significant amount of silver, indicating Naaman's wealth and the value he places on the healing he received. In ancient times, a talent was a large unit of weight, and two talents of silver would have been a substantial gift. This phrase underscores the magnitude of Naaman's gratitude and the seriousness with which he approaches this transaction.

And he urged Gehazi
The act of urging suggests a strong desire to ensure that the gift is accepted. Gehazi, Elisha's servant, is being persuaded to take what was initially refused by Elisha. This urging can be seen as a test of Gehazi's character and integrity, as he is being tempted by wealth and material gain.

and he packed two talents of silver in two bags
The careful packing of the silver into two bags indicates a methodical and deliberate action. This detail emphasizes the tangible nature of the gift and the effort taken to ensure its safe transport. It also reflects the organized and structured approach to wealth and possessions in the ancient world.

with two sets of clothing
Clothing in biblical times was often a symbol of status and identity. The inclusion of two sets of clothing as part of the gift highlights the cultural importance of garments as valuable commodities. This gesture further illustrates Naaman's desire to honor and reward, as clothing was not only practical but also a sign of respect and esteem.

He gave them to two of his servants
The involvement of Naaman's servants in carrying the gifts signifies the hierarchical nature of ancient societies. It also demonstrates Naaman's authority and the delegation of tasks to ensure the safe delivery of the gifts. This act of giving to his servants shows the structured social order and the roles individuals played within it.

and they carried them ahead of Gehazi
The phrase "carried them ahead" suggests a sense of procession and importance. It indicates that the gifts were given priority and were to be presented with honor. This action also foreshadows the unfolding narrative, where Gehazi's acceptance of the gifts leads to significant consequences, highlighting themes of temptation, integrity, and divine justice.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) Be content.--Be willing, consent to take. The Vatican LXX. omits; the Alexandrian renders ?????, owing to a transposition of the Hebrew letters (h?lo' for ho'el).

Bound.--Deuteronomy 14:25.

Bags.--Only here and in Isaiah 3:22, where it means "purses."

Laid them upon two.--Gave them to two of his (i.e., Naaman's) young men. The courtesy of the act is obvious.

Before him.--Gehazi.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents; rather, consent, take two talents. Do not oppose thyself to my wishes - consent to receive double what thou hast asked. Naaman is anxious to show his gratitude by giving as much as he can induce the ether side to accept. He suggests two talents, probably because the strangers who are said to have arrived are two. And he urged him. Gehazi must have made some show of declining the offer. And bound two talents of silver in two bags - i.e. put up two talents separately in two bags, closing the month Of the bag in each case by "binding" it round with a string - with two changes of garments - as asked for (ver. 22) - and laid them upon two of his servants. If the Hebrew silver talent was worth £375 as Keil supposes, or even £300 as Thenius reckons, it would be pretty well as much as an ordinary slave could carry, being somewhat over a hundredweight. And they bare them before him; i.e. they - the servants - bare the two sacks of money before him - Gehazi.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But Naaman
נַעֲמָ֔ן (na·‘ă·mān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5283: Naaman -- a descendant of Benjamin, also an Aramean (Syrian) general

insisted,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Please,
הוֹאֵ֖ל (hō·w·’êl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2974: To show willingness, be pleased, determine, undertake (to do anything)

take
קַ֣ח (qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

two talents.”
כִּכָּרָ֑יִם (kik·kā·rā·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)

And he urged
וַיִּפְרָץ־ (way·yip̄·rāṣ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6555: To break through

Gehazi {to accept them}.
בּ֗וֹ (bōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

Then he tied up
וַיָּצַר֩ (way·yā·ṣar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6887: To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped

two talents
כִּכְּרַ֨יִם (kik·kə·ra·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)

of silver
כֶּ֜סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

in two
בִּשְׁנֵ֣י (biš·nê)
Preposition-b | Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

bags
חֲרִטִ֗ים (ḥă·ri·ṭîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2754: Cut out, a pocket

along with two
וּשְׁתֵּי֙ (ū·šə·tê)
Conjunctive waw | Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

sets
חֲלִפ֣וֹת (ḥă·li·p̄ō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2487: Alternation

of clothing
בְּגָדִ֔ים (bə·ḡā·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

and gave
וַיִּתֵּן֙ (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

two
שְׁנֵ֣י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

of his servants,
נְעָרָ֔יו (nə·‘ā·rāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

who carried them
וַיִּשְׂא֖וּ (way·yiś·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

ahead of Gehazi.
לְפָנָֽיו׃ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

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OT History: 2 Kings 5:23 Naaman said Be pleased to take two (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)