2 Kings 5:6-8

5:6 He brought the letter to king of Israel. It read: “This is a letter of introduction for my servant Naaman, 1  whom I have sent to be cured of his skin disease.” 5:7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill or restore life? Why does he ask me to cure a man of his skin disease? 2  Certainly you must see that he is looking for an excuse to fight me!” 3 

5:8 When Elisha the prophet 4  heard that the king had torn his clothes, he sent this message to the king, “Why did you tear your clothes? Send him 5  to me so he may know there is a prophet in Israel.”

1 tn Heb “and now when this letter comes to you, look, I have sent to you Naaman my servant.”

2 tn Heb “Am I God, killing and restoring life, that this one sends to me to cure a man from his skin disease?” In the Hebrew text this is one lengthy rhetorical question, which has been divided up in the translation for stylistic reasons.

3 tn Heb “Indeed, know and see that he is seeking an occasion with respect to me.”

4 tn Heb “man of God” (also in vv. 15, 20).

5 tn Heb “Let him come.”