2 Kings 5:17 Meaning: A Load of Earth and a New Faith
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 Yahweh.
And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord.
And Naaman said, If not, yet, I pray thee, let there be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth; for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt-offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto Jehovah.
And Naaman saith, `If not--let be given, I pray thee, to thy servant, a couple of mules' burden of earth, for thy servant doth make no more burnt-offering and sacrifice to other gods, but to Jehovah.
And Naaman said, If not, then let there, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of [this] earth; for thy servant will no more offer burnt-offering and sacrifice to othergods, but to Jehovah.
Meaning in one sentence
Naaman asked for two mules' load of earth after his healing. What drove that request, and what does it reveal about his faith in Yahweh?
Context
Naaman, the Syrian army commander, had just been healed of leprosy. He washed in the Jordan at Elisha’s word, and his skin became like a child’s. He returned to the prophet, convinced that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel. He offered a gift; Elisha refused. Then Naaman made this odd request for two mules' load of earth. The moment is tender, a new believer stumbling toward the living God, carrying assumptions from his old world. The whole chapter shows God reaching across national lines, but also the slow work of unlearning what we thought we knew about who God is and where He can be found.
Key Words
The Hebrew word behind “earth” is adamah (H0127), the same word used for the soil God shaped Adam from, for the land of promise, for the ground that yields food. It means dirt, soil, a specific plot of land. Naaman wanted the dirt of Israel, as if God’s presence were bound to that territory. The words for “burnt offering” (olah, H5930) and “sacrifice” (zevach, H2077) are the standard terms for worship in the temple. He is choosing Yahweh, but he thinks he needs holy ground to reach Him. The word “but” (lo with im) is a strong exclusive: only to Yahweh. His heart has turned; his mind still carries the old map.
How Christians Read This Verse
Some commentators read Naaman’s request as a sign he still thought Yahweh was a local god, confined to Israel’s soil. The Cambridge Bible notes that he “has no notion of Jehovah but as a territorial deity.” Others, like Matthew Henry, see genuine conversion mixed with lingering superstition, a new believer who doesn’t yet know God’s freedom. Wesley even suggests the “earth” might refer to the money Naaman brought, calling the common interpretation improbable. The range reminds us that early faith is often messy. Naaman believed, but he brought his old categories with him. Across traditions, readers see both sincerity and something that needed to grow.
A common misunderstanding
It’s easy to think Naaman’s request was just superstition, that he was still clinging to pagan ideas. In fact, Naaman had just confessed that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel. His request for earth came from a sincere desire to worship Yahweh properly. He was wrong about needing holy soil, but his heart was turned toward the true God. The mistake is to dismiss his faith as fake. It was real, and it was growing.
Living This Out
Most of us carry our own load of earth, conditions we silently believe God needs in order to meet us. The right building, the right music, the right place, the right mood. When those aren’t there, we feel far from Him. Naaman’s story asks you to notice what you’re leaning on. Then it invites you to trust that God is not limited by your soil or your ritual. He met Naaman in Syria after he left the prophet’s presence. He can meet you in your kitchen, your car, your waiting room. The ground under your feet is already His.
Main takeaway: God meets real faith even when it still carries old assumptions, and He is not confined to the places we think are holy.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Naaman wanted to take a big pile of dirt home because he thought God lived in that land. But God is everywhere! He can be with you in your house or at the park.
For ages 9, 12
Naaman had just learned that the God of Israel is real and powerful. But he still thought he needed special soil to worship Him. Sometimes when we first start following God, we bring wrong ideas too. That’s okay. God is patient, and He helps us learn what He is really like, that He isn’t stuck in one place or one way of doing things.
Questions People Ask
Why did Naaman ask for two mules' load of earth?
Most likely Naaman wanted the soil to build an altar to Yahweh back in Syria, following the command in Exodus 20:24 to make an altar of earth. He believed the land of Israel was holy and that he needed it to worship God properly. Some commentators also suggest the request was symbolic, representing the wealth he had brought as a gift for Elisha.
Did Elisha give Naaman the earth?
The text does not say directly whether Elisha granted the request. But his response in verse 19, "Go in peace", suggests he did not forbid it. Elisha likely understood Naaman’s limited understanding and let him take the dirt, trusting God to continue the work of teaching him.
Was Naaman truly converted after his healing?
His words and actions point to a real turning. He openly declared that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel. He vowed to offer sacrifice only to Yahweh. Yet his request for earth and his later concern about bowing in the house of Rimmon show his faith was still mixed with old ways. Most Christian traditions see him as a genuine new believer, not yet fully mature.
What does this verse teach about worship?
It shows that worship can be sincere even when it is imperfectly understood. God accepted Naaman’s devotion even though Naaman attached too much importance to the soil. It also reminds us that God is not limited by location, He is Lord over all the earth, not just one patch of ground.
Is there a connection between Naaman and the New Testament?
Yes. Jesus mentions Naaman in Luke 4:27 as an example of God’s grace reaching Gentiles. The apostles also reference turning from idols to serve the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Naaman’s story foreshadows the spread of the gospel beyond Israel and the patient work of discipleship in every new believer’s life.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study