But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Naaman's servant, Gehazi, wasn't just asking for a handout; he was trying to justify a moment where his heart had already gone astray. His question reveals a desperate attempt to retroactively make his greedy impulse seem like a righteous response to Elisha's supposed missed opportunity. It shows how easily we can twist circumstances to rationalize our own selfish desires, even when the spirit of the moment clearly called for integrity.
But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Elisha, hearing that Gehazi has gone after Naaman to take a bribe, confronts his servant about this deceit. Gehazi had claimed Naaman's healing required a payment, a lie that brought disgrace to Elisha's prophetic ministry and God's name. Elisha's sharp questions reveal the spiritual bankruptcy of Gehazi's greed, contrasting it with the integrity of the prophetic calling.
Naaman had just been healed, and Gehazi was already plotting. What does Elisha mean by 'my heart went with him'?
Elisha’s response cuts right to the heart of the matter. He wasn't just concerned about the physical theft of gifts; he was grieved by Gehazi's inner spiritual condition.
A Glimpse Within
When Elisha says, 'Did not my heart go with him,' he's revealing a deep empathy and spiritual sensitivity. He felt the pull of Naaman's interaction and recognized the wrongness of Gehazi's motives even before the lie was fully executed. It shows that God's prophets are not emotionless robots, but people deeply connected to the spiritual realities around them.
The Real Theft
Elisha understood that accepting these gifts would have been a compromise. It would have suggested that God's power was for sale, or that the prophet himself was motivated by personal gain. This wasn't just about a missed opportunity for wealth; it was about compromising the integrity of God's message and His power.
Gehazi saw a chance for riches, but Elisha saw a dangerous trap. What made these gifts so perilous?
Elisha lists a variety of Naaman's possessions – money, garments, orchards, vineyards, livestock, servants. This isn't just a random list; it paints a picture of immense wealth and influence that Gehazi was tempted by.
God's Power Isn't for Sale
The core issue was that accepting these gifts would have corrupted the testimony of God's miraculous healing. It would have implied that Elisha could be bribed or that God's power was a commodity to be traded. This would have undermined the pure, unadulterated grace that Naaman had just experienced.
Ask a follow-up
A Prophet's Call to Purity
Prophets in the Old Testament often lived simply, relying on God's provision. Accepting such extravagant gifts from a foreigner, especially after a display of divine power, would have blurred the lines between God's servants and the world. Elisha recognized that integrity demanded a clear separation and a focus solely on God's glory.
Understand the original words
leb · Hebrew Noun
The inner seat of the mind, will, affections, and conscience; it is often viewed in Scripture as the center of human personality and the source of moral decisions.
keseph · Hebrew Noun
A general term for silver or monetary compensation; in Scripture, it is often associated with the dangers of greed, corruption, and misplaced trust in worldly possessions.
beged · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, garments often symbolize a person’s identity, status, or righteousness; here, they represent the accumulation of wealth and the desire for social advancement.
This incident highlights the stark contrast between prophetic integrity and the pervasive greed that often characterized interactions in the ancient Near East, especially amidst ongoing political and military tensions.
c. 870 BC
Reign of King Ahab of Israel
Ahab's reign was marked by significant foreign influence, particularly from Phoenicia, and religious conflict with prophets of Yahweh.
c. 850s BC
Rise of Ben-Hadad II of Aram-Damascus
Ben-Hadad II led the Arameans in a series of conflicts against Israel, achieving considerable military success and controlling territory.
c. 850s-840s BC
Syrian-Israelite Wars Intensify
Ongoing warfare between Aram-Damascus and Israel defined the northern kingdom's political and military landscape during this era.
c. 840s BC— this verse
Naaman's Healing and Elisha's Integrity
Naaman, a commander of the Aramean army, is healed of leprosy through the prophet Elisha. When Naaman offers payment, Elisha refuses, and Gehazi deceitfully pursues Naaman for gifts.
c. 840s BC
Gehazi's Punishment
Deceitful Gehazi is struck with leprosy, a stark consequence for his greed and betrayal of Elisha's integrity.
This passage echoes Elisha's discernment, reminding us that God sees beyond outward appearances and actions to the heart's true motives, just as Elisha knew Gehazi's heart was not with him.
Proverbs 28:20The verse warns against a desire for hasty wealth, which directly applies to Gehazi's sin. Elisha's question highlights that true wealth is not material but found in integrity and faithfulness.
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching here about not being able to serve both God and money is powerfully illustrated by Gehazi's actions. His heart was clearly divided, choosing the allure of wealth over obedience and righteousness.
Acts 8:20Peter's rebuke to Simon the sorcerer, 'May your money perish with you!' directly mirrors the spiritual gravity of Gehazi's offense. Both men sought to buy spiritual power or favor with money, revealing a corrupted heart.
Naaman's servant, Gehazi, wasn't just asking for a handout; he was trying to justify a moment where his heart had already gone astray. His question reveals a desperate attempt to retroactively make his greedy impulse seem like a righteous response to Elisha's supposed missed opportunity. It shows how easily we can twist circumstances to rationalize our own selfish desires, even when the spirit of the moment clearly called for integrity.
Elisha, hearing that Gehazi has gone after Naaman to take a bribe, confronts his servant about this deceit. Gehazi had claimed Naaman's healing required a payment, a lie that brought disgrace to Elisha's prophetic ministry and God's name. Elisha's sharp questions reveal the spiritual bankruptcy of Gehazi's greed, contrasting it with the integrity of the prophetic calling.
Elisha, hearing that Gehazi has gone after Naaman to take a bribe, confronts his servant about this deceit. Gehazi had claimed Naaman's healing required a payment, a lie that brought disgrace to Elisha's prophetic ministry and God's name. Elisha's sharp questions reveal the spiritual bankruptcy of Gehazi's greed, contrasting it with the integrity of the prophetic calling.
"But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants?" — Naaman's servant, Gehazi, wasn't just asking for a handout; he was trying to justify a moment where his heart had already gone astray. His question reveals a desperate attempt to retroactively make h…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026